The holiday season is filled with joyful times with loved ones — including our pets! Simple preparation is recommended to minimize potential health and safety hazards for pets in order to avoid expensive pet insurance claims during the winter holidays. Holiday festivities increase the opportunity for pets to get their paws on harmful foods, drinks and decorations. The most common toxic treats that Nationwide insured pets ingested last holiday season were chocolates, nuts and raisins.

Holiday pet illnesses cost millions

Last year, Nationwide pet insurance members spent more than $41 million on medical conditions commonly associated with the holiday season. Related: 5 most common and 5 most expensive pet insurance claims During the four days surrounding Christmas Day and New Year's Day last season, pet owners took their dogs and cats to the veterinarian more often than the rest of the year to treat the medical maladies associated with holiday animal hazards.

Average cost of surgery: $1,803 per pet

Some pets prefer to munch on non-digestible holiday items including tinsel, ribbon, gift wrap and ornaments. Ingestion of such items can lead to surgery, which is the most expensive medical condition on the holiday list with an average treatment cost of $1,803 per pet. If a pet consumes toxic food or a foreign object, he or she should be taken to a veterinary hospital immediately. In preparation, pet owners should locate the nearest 24-hour emergency animal hospital prior to any holiday celebration.