With the festive holiday season here, the joy of decorating our homes for Christmas fills the air. While the twinkling lights and hanging ornaments on the Christmas tree bring warmth and cheer, it also presents a potential playground for our furry friends. As pet owners, we know the many challenges of keeping our dogs and cats away from the holiday decor.
In this blog, we will explore ten ways to pet-proof your Christmas tree, ensuring happiness, holiday spirit, and pet safety. From playful cats to mischievous dogs, we have creative solutions to help you enjoy the holiday season without toppled trees or tangled tinsel.
- Consider an artificial tree- With real trees; there are two main concerns: pine needles and chemical-laden water. As the pine needles fell, curious dogs could sniff and lick them to investigate. If swallowed, they pose a risk of puncturing the intestines. With the water to preserve a real tree, dogs could be tempted to drink from the water bowl. The water for the tree is collecting bacteria, but many people add chemical preservatives to it. We don’t want our dogs drinking that.
- Stabilize your tree- Make sure to use a sturdy base; you don’t want it tipping over. If you have a rambunctious canine or a kitty who may jump on the tree, consider anchoring the tree to the wall. You can do this by wrapping fishing wire, fine gauge wire, or even an old string of Christmas lights around the tree and securing it to an eyehook.
- Bare those branches- Some dogs and cats could care less about rearranged furniture and new home decor. If you have an anxious furbaby, put up your tree and wait a few days before adding and hanging lights and ornaments.
- Pass on edible ornaments- While certain foods make great ornaments, avoiding them is best if you have pets. Food on the tree may be tempting for them. So keep popcorn garland, candy canes, and other treats off the tree.
- Ditch the tinsel- Tinsel is so pretty, but if your curious pet is interested in the shiny stuff, you might want to skip it this year. It tends to shed loose strands, which can cause problems if your pet eats anything. If swallowed, tinsel can pose a serious threat to pets.
- Decorate with shatterproof ornaments- Happy wagging tails can get a little too close to the tree and knock ornaments down off their branches. To avoid a stressful situation and dangerous broken glass, choose shatterproof ornaments.
- Place breakable ornaments up high- If using glass, delicate, and sentimental ornaments, be sure to place them up high. Some may try to lick or paw at those sparkly ornaments dangling from the branches.
- Avoid holiday houseplants- Holly, mistletoe, poinsettias, and amaryllis should be kept out of your pet’s reach. If you decorate with them, switch to artificial versions.
- Tuck electrical cords- Electrical cords can be tempting to nibble and chew. Use a cord hider to keep wires hidden and tucked away.
- Save presents for Christmas morning- If you have a pup who would love to chew or mark your gorgeously wrapped gifts, it is best to keep them away until Christmas morning.
