It’s that time of year again! The lights are going up around the neighbourhood, holiday music is playing on the radio, and you’ve probably already started shopping for presents.
Have you put your tree up yet?
This will be our new addition, Jones’, first Christmas, and that means a little extra care with the decorations. She’s a very curious creature.
And whether you have a new puppy or kitten at home who has never seen a tree before, or you have an older pet who just won’t leave that tree alone, we’ve got some tips for cat and dog proofing a Christmas tree.
Tips for Cat and Dog Proofing a Christmas Tree
If you’re lucky, your pet won’t have any interest in the tree. Some literally don’t care. But just in case they do, here are some tips for cat and dog proofing a Christmas tree.
- Start with a bare tree. As difficult as it may be to leave the tree up for a few days without decorating it, leaving it bare for a bit can help your pet get used to it without the added temptation of decorations. Once they’ve learned to leave the tree alone, then you can get to decorating.
- Make sure the tree is secure. A curious cat or dog can easily bring a tree toppling down with one jump or pull, so find a way to make it sturdy. Weigh down the bottom with heavy objects and secure it to the wall or ceiling.
- Decorate high. Especially for kitties, those ornaments on the bottom can be the ultimate entertainment. So, even though it may look a little silly, only decorate the top half of the tree!
- Create a barrier. If your pet just won’t leave the tree alone, consider creating some sort of barrier around it to keep them away. Arrange fake presents (wrap large boxes) around the bottom or put up and decorate an exercise pen around the tree.
- Skip the food. This probably goes without saying, but if you have a pet, it’s probably best not to make popcorn garlands or decorate with candy canes. Any food on the tree can be cause for celebration for your pet, and thus, potential disaster for you.
- Set up a table tree. If you know your pet isn’t going to leave the tree alone, setting up a smaller tree and placing it on a table is a good way to stop the snuffling, particularly for dogs (it may not work so well for cats).
Other Ways to Keep Your Pet Safe
Aside from cat and dog proofing a Christmas tree, there are other things to consider to keep your pet safe around this popular holiday decoration:
- Watch that water. If you have a real tree, be sure to keep an eye on the water, and consider blocking your pet’s access to it. Firstly, you don’t really want your pet drinking it, and secondly, if your pet empties the water without you knowing, that could present a potential fire hazard!
- No tinsel. Cats are notorious for playing with and eating tinsel, which can be really dangerous. Even some dogs will mistake it for a tasty treat. So, as tempting as it may be to create that nostalgic feeling, skip the tinsel all together.
- Ditch the candles. Candles on a tree are not very common anymore – plug in lights have really eliminated the need for them – but if, again, you like the nostalgia, it may be a tradition in your house. However, they present a major hazard, so leave them on the counter.
- Go glass-less. Any breakable ornaments on the tree present a hazard, so either keep those for the top half (out of reach) or leave them off as well.
- Control the cords. Cords from lights can be attractive chew toys, so make sure that they’re kept safe. Hide them under the tree skirt, inside an empty box, or wrapped inside the tree.
- Leave the presents hidden. Presents wrapped under the tree can become a whole other issue, so if your pet tries to open before Christmas morning (whether their own gifts or gifts for others), hide them away until it’s actually time.
We haven’t put up our tree yet, so there’s no telling how Jones will react! With her curious and energetic puppy nature, I have a feeling many of these tips for cat and dog proofing a Christmas tree will save us from some holiday headaches. Wish us luck!
