It's the most wonderful time of the year! Snow has fallen, Santa's on his way, and it's time to decorate your tree. But wonderful can quickly turn to awful if the proper precautions aren't taken to make sure our furry family members are protected during the holidays. See below for 7 ways to pet proof your tree set-up, and keep everyone (safely) rockin' around the Christmas tree.
1. Electrical Cords
Electrical cords are everywhere around the holidays. The skinny cords on Christmas tree lights specifically, are not well insulated, which makes it easy for your furbaby to chew into. Chewing on electrical cords can result in electrocution, so safety is paramount! Keep cords away from chewing pets by hiding them behind furniture, under carpets, or under a tree skirt. You can also consider taping them to walls, and using cord protectors. Additionally, when leaving pets alone who have a habit of chewing on wires, please always unplug any decorations. Or, better yet, quarantine your rascals away from those parts of your home completely while you’re away.
2. Ornaments
Most ornaments look like toys to a curious pet and should be used with caution and supervision. Considering that most ornaments are fragile and breakable, your playful little pal could easily knock them down, leaving sharp shards on the floor. Chewing on ornaments can cause cuts in the mouth, throat, and digestive system, as well as other serious injuries. If you have a dog that is tempted to play with the ornaments on your tree, it is recommended to decorate the bottom third of the tree with non-breakable, plastic, or wooden ornaments. Or, remove the risk all together and decorate only the top two-thirds of your tree. Making sure that your dog has plenty of size appropriate toys available so they don’t become bored, is also a way to deter them from your tree.
3. Tinsel
Tinsel (and other shiny, stringy decorations) is one of the biggest holiday dangers for pets. If ingested, these items can get caught in their intestines, causing an intestinal blockage that has the potential to harm or even kill your pet. Please avoid tinsel entirely. Say no to tinsel!
4. The Tree
If you have a live Christmas tree, make sure the water reservoir inside of the tree stand is not easily accessible to dogs and other pets. Pine sap mixed with water smells good to pets. But, it is poisonous! Many fresh trees are also preserved with pesticides and fertilizer water additives, including aspirin - all of which have the potential to be fatal if ingested. Please block access to the tree stand by thoroughly covering it with aluminum foil and a well-wrapped tree skirt.
5. Stability
Christmas can be exciting for pets too! And amongst that excitement, trees can easily topple over onto curious, climby, jumpy, hyper pups (or bigger dogs with enthusiastically-wagging tails too). In order to prevent any unfortunate accidents from happening that can be especially harmful to tiny dogs, please secure your Christmas tree to a wall or ceiling hook with a sturdy fishing line.
6. Scents
The smell of the tree at Christmas time may make us feel all nostalgic and tingly inside. But to our pets, the smell of a live or artificial tree may cause them to urine-mark it. It may help to bring the tree into an isolated indoor room for a day or two, so that it smells more like “home.” Using a gate or crate to keep your pups away from Christmas areas, when he or she can't be monitored, is also a safe idea.
7. Gifts
Obviously we spoil our fur-baby’s with presents at Christmas time. They deserve it! But, sometimes, presents under the tree not only cause pups to be curious, but also protective. Keeping pet gifts separate from your family’s until it’s time to open presents, is a sure way to keep sniffing or territorial pets away from the tree - And ensures everyone has a good time.
Disclaimer: All information on this website is for general informational purposes only. The opinions expressed here are shared from the authors own personal experiences, and should not be considered professional advice.