10 Tips to pet proof your Christmas tree

Christmas is a fun time of year to decorate your home, spend time with loved ones and spoil your family, friends and pets with presents. Most pets are curious in nature and may take an interest in your decorations and your Christmas tree is no exception. Christmas trees and their decorations can pose a threat to pets if they are knocked over, played with, chewed on or partially eaten. However, with a little planning and preparation you can spread the holiday cheer while keeping your pets safe too.

1. Wait before decorating

Pets are curious and cats can be sensitive to change. Adding a giant tree to your living room is sure to attract their attention. Consider leaving the tree bare for a few days to allow your pet to become familiar with the new addition. Hopefully by the time you start decorating they will have lost interest!

2. Choose the most suitable tree

Consider buying an artificial tree or go smaller. Whilst a real tree can look and smell nice, the pine needles which regularly drop from the tree can be irritating to your pet’s stomach and intestines. They can also pierce into their delicate skin. If you are opting for a real tree, keep the area around your tree clean by sweeping up the fallen pine needles each day. Consider a smaller tree, which can be harder to knock over, less tempting and easier to decorate too.

3. Keep pets away from tree water

If you are using a live tree, you will need to cover the opening of the water filled stand to prevent your pet from drinking it. Additives and bacteria in the water can be toxic to your pet. You can wrap the opening with foil, use a tree skirt or even use an Elizabethan collar or cone shaped cover around the bowl to prevent access. Pet safe stands with covers are also available.

4. Find the best spot for your tree

Try to position your tree in a safe corner away from furniture. Cats in particular like to use furniture as a launching pad to pounce on your tree which can cause it to come tumbling down. A falling tree can not only cause damage to your home or belongings, it can seriously injure your pet or others by knocking them over or landing on them.

5. Make your tree sturdy & secure

Christmas trees can be heavy and you don’t want it unexpectantly falling over onto your presents, pets or family members. Make sure you have a solid quality base for your tree and consider securing it to the wall for extra protection. You can also place a playpen around the tree so it is unreachable to curious pets.

6. Decorate out of your pet’s reach

Place your decorations, especially any fragile or breakable ones towards the top of the tree, out of pet’s reach. This will prevent the temptation, especially for cats to bat them off the tree and treat them as a play toy. A big happy dog with an enthusiastic tail can be lethal to low hanging decorations too. Tinsel can also pose a serious threat so try paper, wood or felt decorations instead.

7. Be careful with lights

Flashing, shining lights can be hard for pets to resist, however they can pose a serious threat if your pet becomes tangled or chews on them. Place lights higher up the tree so they are out of reach from pets and cover exposed wires. Also turn lights off when you are not in the room.

8. Secure ornaments with twine

Consider decorating your tree with plastic or shatter proof ornaments and use twine or string instead of metal hooks to attach your ornaments to the tree. Metal hooks are less secure on your tree and can injure your pet if played with or swallowed.

9. Food free decorations

Christmas can be a time to get creative and some like to add candy canes, gingerbreads or other food treats to their tree. Whilst this may add to the festive cheer, it can be a tempting problem for your pet. Its best to leave food treats off the tree and in a secure place away from opportunistic pets.

10. Offer distractions

Offer your pet treats, toys, a tempting bed or condo to snuggle in when you are spending time near the tree. This will help point their attention towards something positive, rather than focusing on the Christmas tree.

Christmas is a special time of year and setting up a Christmas tree doesn’t have to pose a threat to your pets. With a bit of thought and planning you can have a happy and pet safe Christmas.