Oh Christmas tree, Christmas tree. How lovely are your branches!It’s that time of year again…time to sing holiday music, watch Santa movies, bake all the cookies, and decorate the Christmas tree. If you ask me, this is the best time of the year. As you begin decking your halls, consider these pet-proofing tips to maintain a Fido-friendly environment.
1. Consider an Artificial Tree
Heading down to a tree farm to pick and cut a real Christmas tree is always a fun holiday experience. And, for many, it’s a long-standing tradition. But, if you have four-legged furkids, you might want to consider switching to an artificial tree.
With real trees, there are two main concerns: pine needles and chemical-laden water (used for hydration and preservation). As the sharp pine needles fall from the tree, curious dogs may sniff and lick them. If eaten, they pose a risk of intestinal perforation. And where the water is running, some dogs may be tempted to drink from the water bowl. Not only does that water sit there collecting bacteria, but many people add preservatives to it, which helps to extend the life of the tree. We don’t want our dogs drinking that!
If you’re not sold on the idea of an artificial tree yet, here are some benefits:
- Many come pre-lit
- It’s easy to assemble
- Feed them
- After the holiday is over, you can move your tree out of the closet or attic and use it again for years to come (saving you $ in the long run)
If you are attached to a real tree…
Sweep up fallen needles quickly to prevent curious puppies from licking and eating them. Also, keep the base of the tree covered so your dog can’t reach the watering can.
2. Stabilize Your Tree
No matter what kind of tree you decorate with, one thing is for sure: You don’t want it to pass! First things first: Make sure you use a solid foundation. If you have a canine companion or a voracious cat who might jump up a tree, consider increasing the level of protection by attaching it to the wall. Many people do this by wrapping fishing line, fine line, or old string of Christmas lights around their tree and shielding it from the eyesore. *Bonus Tip: If needed, you can also block access completely by placing an exercise pen next to the tree.
3. Cut Those Branches
Some dogs did not mind the rearranged furniture and decoration of the new home. Two of my dogs fit into that category. But many other pups are very special. If you have an anxious furbaby, consider putting up your tree and waiting a few days before lighting the lights/hanging decorations.
4. Pass out Edible Decorations
Do you like stringing and hanging real food around your tree? Although certain foods make cozy decorations, it’s best to avoid them if you have furry family members. Our dogs have strong eyesight, and eating from a tree can be tempting for them. We don’t want our children to jump a tree to get to this food, and we don’t want them to eat anything from a tree.
- Popcorn flowers – Dogs have strong sniffers and one sniff of that popcorn can tempt your pup to suck it up. But, if your pooch swallows the string used to connect each piece of popcorn, it can lead to choking and intestinal obstruction.
- Sweets – Although these popular holiday treats are easy to hang from branches and add a pop of color to trees, they should be kept away from Fido. Some candies reportedly contain xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic to dogs and can be fatal. If your pooch eats xylitol, it can lead to a severe drop in blood sugar, liver damage, and even death. If you think your dog has ingested xylitol, it is important to see a veterinarian or go to the pet’s ER immediately. Within 30-60 minutes, the effects of xylitol can be harmful.
- Holiday cookies – Sprinkling fresh gingerbread cookies on the tree looks delicious and smells delicious. But, they often contain sugar and spices that are not safe for our dogs.
- Chocolate candies – Chocolate is a definite no-go for dogs. It contains caffeine, and a chemical called theobromine(AKA the chemical cousin to caffeine). Our dogs cannot digest these compounds the way humans can, making them more sensitive to the effects. Find out more about chocolate and its effects on dogs HERE.
5. Ditch Tinsel
Tinsel is a great holiday decoration meant to mimic the effect of snow. It consists of small, luminous fibers attached to a thread/base. Many people put tinsel on their trees – and other areas of their homes – during the holidays. But, if your curious furry family member is interested in shiny things – and eats certain foods – tinsel can be very dangerous for our dogs.
According to the Pet Poison Helpline: “Tinsel can lead to a solid foreign body if ingested. A foreign body occurs when your cat (or dog) swallows something with strings that wrap under the tongue or get stuck in the stomach, making it unable to pass through the intestines. As the intestines contract and move, this string or foreign body can slowly penetrate into your stomach tissue causing serious damage. Ultimately, pets are at risk of serious injury, or rupture of their intestines and treatment involves surgery expensive stomach.”
6. Protect Ornaments in a Safe Way
When it comes to hanging ornaments, skip the traditional metal hooks – they may be convenient, but they can also be dangerous. If a person accidentally falls to the ground, a curious dog may swallow or step on it, leading to injury or a trip to the emergency vet. Instead, choose decorative anchors or ribbon ties. Ornament anchors (LIKE THIS) are small fasteners designed to keep ornaments firmly attached to a branch, even if your dog blows up the tree. Not only do they reduce the risk of falling ornaments, but they also eliminate the risk of sharp, snarling metal hooks. Also, using festive ribbon or string can add a nice, cohesive look to your holiday tree while keeping it dog-safe.
7. Choose Shatter-Proof Decorations
Speaking of decorations, happy wagging tails can accidentally get a little too close to the Christmas tree and knock the decorations off their branches. To avoid a stressful situation, choose decorations that will never break.
8. Place Fragile Ornaments On Top
When it comes to decorating a tree, we all have our own personal vision and aesthetic. My advice: If you’re using glass, delicate, and sensitive ornaments, put them up. Dogs are curious creatures. Others may try to lick or step on those sparkling decorations hanging from the branches. Then there are dogs that like to dig, like my Chihuahua. They often enjoy snoozing under tree branches, which means they can accidentally knock on the ornament.
9. Avoid Holiday Houseplants
Holly, mistletoe, poinsettias, and amaryllis … these are common holiday houseplants that should be kept away from your baby. If you decorate with them(either in or near your tree)switch to synthetic versions.
10. Tuck the electrical cords
No matter what kind of tree you have, you’ll probably wrap strings of pretty lights around the branches. And that means you’ll be bringing new cables to your space. For many dogs, especially teething puppies, those electrical wires can be a great temptation to eat and chew. Use a cord hider to keep cords hidden/tucked away.
11. Save Christmas Morning Gifts
The other dogs didn’t care about the presents wrapped under the tree. But, if you have a young puppy or an inquisitive canine who would love to chew on or even tag your beautifully wrapped presents, then it’s best to keep the tree clear until Christmas morning.
