The holiday season is officially here! If decorating is on your to-do list this weekend, make sure you’re prepared to keep your Christmas tree pet-free.
If you’re wondering how to keep your tree, ornaments, and pets intact, we’re here to help.
We know many people deal with the annoyance of keeping cats and dogs from destroying or knocking down their Christmas tree. Not only is tree interference an annoyance, but it can also be dangerous.
The first tip we recommended is to simply proceed slowly. Dogs and cats react when faced with sudden changes to their environment, and they’re going to want to investigate if suddenly there are unknown objects in the room.
Experts suggest putting the tree in your home bare for a few days before adding ornaments to it. This way, pets can investigate the tree without the risk of breaking anything or injuring themselves.
It is also recommended to put the tree in a corner of the room and away from furniture, making it more difficult to leap onto. The corner should also keep it sturdy, making it less likely to fall down.
Another tip is to hang ornaments as tightly to the branches as possible, and skip the metal ornament hangers that are traditionally used. Instead, use wire or twine so the ornaments look a lot less like dangling toys. Hang fragile ornaments up high, and the unbreakable ones closer to the base of the tree.
Also, prevent access to the tree’s water. Some animals actually enjoy pine-flavored water. Unfortunately, the tree can contaminate the water with pesticides, fertilizers, and other toxic substances. Prevent your pets from drinking it by surrounding the water supply with aluminum foil.
Keep tinsel and lights out of reach at all times. Eating tinsel can lead to serious tummy trouble. It’s best to avoid using it entirely, but if you’re a tinsel fan, only use it on the top of the tree. Try to keep the strings of lights well above the floor, too, and inspect them regularly for signs of chewing.
If you have a house full of curious pets, you may consider putting the tree in a room they cannot enter. If this isn’t an option, you might consider investing is an all-natural repellent to spray around the base of the tree.
As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to your friends at Premier Pet Supply for all your pet-related questions!