By Amy Tokic
The holiday season brings joy and festive decorations into our homes, but it’s important to consider the safety of our four-legged family members when decking the halls. While holly berries and other traditional holiday plants add a festive touch, they can pose serious risks to pets if ingested.
As you plan your holiday décor, whether you’re setting up a Christmas tree or Hanukkah bush, keep pet safety in mind. From carefully placing tinsel to being cautious with mistletoe placement, there are many ways to create a beautiful holiday atmosphere while ensuring your pets stay safe and healthy. Here are some dog-friendly decorating tips to help you celebrate the season responsibly.
Forgo holiday plants
During the holiday season, many people love decorating with traditional plants like mistletoe and holly. While these festive plants add a beautiful touch to your home, they pose a serious health risk to dogs if eaten. Though poinsettias have a reputation for being toxic, they actually just cause stomach upset in dogs rather than being truly poisonous. If you want to keep these holiday classics as part of your decor while keeping your pets safe, consider using artificial versions instead. High-quality faux plants look incredibly realistic these days, and they’re a smart investment since you can store them away and bring them out year after year.
Christmas tree security
The Christmas tree serves as the magical focal point of holiday decorations, bringing warmth and cheer to your home during the festive season. However, it’s important to consider safety measures to protect both your precious ornaments and prevent accidents with pets or children who might accidentally bump into it.
One effective solution is to secure your tree using thin, transparent guide wires attached to the wall or ceiling. For homes with puppies, consider displaying a smaller Christmas tree on an elevated surface like a table or counter, keeping it safely out of their reach. This approach also works wonderfully for those living in compact spaces.
When deciding where to place your tree, be mindful of your dog’s favorite spots, particularly their preferred window-watching location. Placing the tree in front of their regular lookout spot can create unnecessary anxiety for your pet and increase the likelihood of accidents with the tree.
Ornament safety
When decorating your Christmas tree, strategic ornament placement is crucial for keeping your dog safe. Hang delicate or breakable ornaments towards the top of the tree, out of reach from wagging tails. For cherished or glass ornaments, use wire to firmly attach them to branches to prevent accidents.
Choose ornaments carefully with your dog’s safety in mind. Avoid small decorations that could become choking hazards if knocked down. Skip edible ornaments like popcorn garlands, candy canes, or nutshells – these can be too tempting for curious pups and pose risks if consumed.
Pay special attention to ornament hooks throughout the holiday season. Regularly inspect the area around and under your tree for any fallen hooks. These metal pieces can be extremely dangerous if your dog finds and ingests them, potentially causing serious internal injuries.
Let’s get lit!
The warm, festive glow of candles can create a cozy atmosphere in your home during the holiday season. However, it’s crucial to consider your dog’s safety when decorating with open flames. An excited pup with a wagging tail can easily knock over candles, potentially causing burns from hot wax or even starting a fire.
To ensure your pet’s safety while maintaining that magical holiday ambiance, consider using flameless battery-operated candles. These provide a similar atmospheric effect without any fire hazard. If you’re celebrating Hanukkah and prefer traditional candles, ensure your menorah is placed securely on a high, stable surface well out of your dog’s reach.
Decoration placement
When it comes to hanging stockings, many people opt for decorative metal stocking holders on their fireplace mantel. While these holders are aesthetically pleasing, they can pose a safety risk if your dog mistakes the stocking for a plaything and pulls on it. The heavy metal holder could fall and potentially harm your pet.
A safer alternative is to either place the stockings well beyond your dog’s reach or use adhesive plastic hooks. These hooks can be just as effective while eliminating the risk of injury, and many options are available that are either decorative or discreet.
When it comes to stocking stuffers, wait until Christmas morning or gift-opening time to add any food items. Filling stockings with treats ahead of time can create unnecessary temptation, and there’s a risk of your dog accessing potentially harmful items such as chocolate.
