You are creating a holiday tree that is both beautiful to look at for you and unattractive to your dog is a unique challenge. Here are some suggestions to keep your tree pet-friendly.
1. Tree water at the base of live trees is highly toxic to dogs, so keep it covered.
2. Add ribbon and other decorations to the lower branches of your tree, where your dog won’t be tempted to chew on them or swallow them.
3. Avoid tinsel at all costs! Even if you have an older, trained dog that has never chewed on it before, there is still a chance that they could ingest some and cause severe damage to their internal organs.
4. Stick with LED lights; they are safer for both you and your dog than traditional bulbs. If you use standard bulbs, keep the lights turned off when no one is in the room to prevent accidental electrocution if your pet comes into contact with a live wire.
5. Keep dogs away from your tree entirely by building a small fence. This will also help prevent curious pets from knocking over ornaments and damaging the tree.
6. If you have an incredibly active dog that likes to jump on the furniture, consider putting your tree in a corner so they don’t knock it over while playing.
7. Keep your tree well-fed by adding water every few days to its base. A dehydrated Christmas tree will become brittle and more likely to fall over, which can be dangerous for both you and your dog if they are nearby when this happens.
8. Check your lights for damage and keep them away from any fabric or curtains that could catch fire easily if exposed to too much heat.
9. Designate a “dog-free” space in your home where the tree will be stored after the holidays, and make sure that your dog knows this space is off-limits. This will help prevent them from destroying or chewing on the decorations as you are putting them away.
10. Finally, remember to have fun! Your dog loves spending time with you and wants to be included in your holiday activities, so let them enjoy a special treat or some extra playtime while you decorate the tree!
Whether you have a young puppy or an older dog who likes to chew on things, keeping your Christmas tree safe and pet-friendly can be challenging but well worth it in the end.