8 Tips to Pet-Proof Your Christmas Tree

O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree. How lovely are thy branches! It’s that time of year again … time to crank up the holiday music, flip on the Santa movies, bake all the cookies, and decorate the Christmas tree. If you ask me, this truly is the most wonderful time of the year. As you start decking your halls, consider these pet-proofing tips to keep a Fido-friendly space. 

1. Consider an Artificial Tree

Heading down to the tree farm to pick out and chop down a real Christmas tree is always a fun holiday experience. But, if you have four-legged furkids then you may want to consider switching to an artificial tree. 

With real trees, both fallen pine needles and chemical-laden water pose risks to our pups. A dog who ingests fallen needles can suffer damage to their intestinal tract. Plus, as for the water, chemicals added are toxic to pets and can be deadly if ingested. 

If you aren’t sold on the idea of an artificial tree just yet, here are some other benefits: 

  • Many come pre-lit
  • They’re easy to put together
  • They’re low-maintenance
  • After the holiday is over, you can tuck your tree away in a closet or the attic and use it again for years to come (saving you $ in the long run)

2. If You’re Sticking With a Real Tree …

Sweep up fallen needles immediately to prevent curious pups from licking and ingesting them. Also, keep the tree’s base covered so your dog can’t reach the watering area.

Depending on your pup’s curiosity level, you may also want to consider placing a gate around the tree to block access. No need to go buy anything fancy – use a baby gate or even your pup’s exercise pen.

3. Bare Those Branches

Some dogs could care less about rearranged furniture and new home decor. My two dogs fit into that category. But, other pups are very particular. If you have an anxious furbaby, consider putting up your tree and then waiting a few days before stringing lights/hanging ornaments. 

4. Tuck Electrical Cords

Whether you opt for a real or artificial tree, you’ll likely wrap strings of beautiful lights around the branches. And that means you’ll bring new cords into your space. For a lot of dogs, especially teething puppies, those electrical cords can be pretty tempting to nibble and chew. Either hide them with a tree skirt or use cord clips to secure down.

5. Put Fragile Ornaments on Higher Branches

When it comes to decorating the tree, we all have our own vision and aesthetic. My advice: Place glass, delicate, and sentimental ornaments up high … out of your pup’s reach. 

Dogs are curious creatures. Some may try to lick or paw at those sparkly ornaments dangling from the branches. Then there are dogs who love to burrow, like my Chihuahua. They often enjoy snoozing under tree branches, meaning they may accidentally knock into an ornament.

Tip: Get shatter-proof ornaments. That’s what I personally use on my tree. They look just as nice, and, in case one of my pups accidentally knocks something off, it can’t break into a million little pieces.

6. Pass on Edible Ornaments

A lot of people like to string and hang real food around their trees. For families with furkids, though, it’s best to avoid edible ornaments. 

  • Popcorn garland – Dogs have powerful sniffers and one whiff of that popcorn may be tempting for your pup to nibble. But, if your pooch swallows the string used to connect each popcorn piece, it can lead to choking and intestinal blockage.
  • Candy canes – While this popular holiday treat is easy to hang on branches and adds a nice pop of color to trees, they should be kept out of Fido’s reach. Candy canes reportedly contain xylitol, a sweetener that’s toxic to dogs and can be deadly. If your pooch consumes xylitol, it could lead to a steep drop in blood sugar, liver damage, and even death. If you think that your dog has eaten xylitol, it’s critical to see a vet or animal ER immediately. In as little as 30-60 minutes, the effects of xylitol can be deadly.

7. Avoid Holiday Houseplants

Holly, mistletoe, poinsettias, and amaryllis  … these are all common holiday houseplants that should be kept out of your pup’s reach. If you decorate with them (either in or around your tree), keep them up high or switch to artificial versions.

8. Save Presents for Christmas Morning

Some dogs could care less about wrapped presents under the tree. But, if you have a young puppy or curious canine who would love to chew or even mark your gorgeously wrapped gifts then it’s best to keep the tree bottom clear until Christmas morning.

The post 8 Tips to Pet-Proof Your Christmas Tree appeared first on Proud Dog Mom.



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