The holidays bring twinkling lights, festive cheer, and a whole lot of decorating fun. But for homes shared with furry companions, decking the halls requires a little extra thought. Many traditional decorations, while beautiful, can pose significant risks to curious cats and dogs. Creating a festive atmosphere that’s also safe for your pets isn’t difficult, it just takes some awareness and smart choices. Let’s explore how to keep the season merry, bright, and safe for every member of the family, paws included.
The Christmas Tree Conundrum
The centerpiece of holiday decor, the Christmas tree, is often the biggest source of potential pet problems. Whether real or artificial, trees present unique challenges.
Securing Your Spruce (or Fir, or Pine!)
Pets, especially cats who love to climb and dogs with enthusiastic tails, can easily knock over a tree. This is dangerous not only because of falling ornaments but the tree itself can injure a pet.
- Weighty Base: Start with a sturdy, wide base. Adding extra weights around the bottom can help, hidden under a tree skirt.
- Anchors Away: For maximum security, especially with climbers, anchor the tree to the wall or ceiling using fishing line and small eye hooks. It’s nearly invisible and provides excellent stability.
- Location, Location: Place the tree in a corner if possible, reducing the angles from which a pet might launch an attack or bump into it. Avoid placing it near furniture that could serve as a launchpad for cats.
Needles and Water Woes
Real trees bring the scent of the outdoors in, but also potential hazards.
- Pine Needles: While not severely toxic, ingested pine needles can cause mild gastrointestinal upset or, more seriously, puncture mouths or internal organs. Regularly sweep up fallen needles.
- Tree Water: The water in the tree stand can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Worse, preservatives or fertilizers sometimes added to the water can be toxic if ingested. Keep the tree stand covered securely. Use a tree skirt creatively or purchase a dedicated stand cover to block access.
Artificial Alternatives
Artificial trees eliminate the needle and water issues, but check the materials. Some older or cheaper trees might contain materials that could be harmful if chewed excessively. Ensure small parts aren’t easily detachable.
Ornaments: Shiny, Dangly Dangers
Those beautiful baubles hanging so enticingly can look like perfect toys to a pet.
Breakable vs. Pet-Proof
Glass ornaments are a classic, but shattered glass poses an obvious risk of cuts to paws and mouths. Even plastic ornaments can break into sharp pieces if chewed vigorously.
- Choose Wisely: Opt for ornaments made from safer materials like felt, wood, fabric, resin, or shatterproof plastic. There are many beautiful, pet-friendly options available.
- Size Matters: Avoid very small ornaments that could be easily swallowed, leading to choking or intestinal blockage.
- Placement Strategy: If you simply must use some treasured fragile ornaments, hang them high up on the tree, well out of reach of curious noses and batting paws. Place less interesting, sturdier ornaments on the lower branches.
Tinsel: A Sparkling Nightmare
Tinsel is particularly dangerous, especially for cats who are drawn to its crinkly, string-like nature. If ingested, tinsel doesn’t break down and can cause severe intestinal blockages, often requiring emergency surgery. It’s best to avoid tinsel altogether in a pet-friendly home. There are many other ways to add sparkle, like metallic ribbons (used carefully) or glittery, non-toxic sprays applied before bringing the tree inside.
Edible Decorations and Hooks
Decorations made from popcorn, cranberries, gingerbread, or salt dough might seem like a fun, old-fashioned idea, but they are tempting treats for pets. Salt dough is particularly dangerous due to its high salt content, which can cause serious poisoning. Chocolate is also highly toxic to dogs.
Traditional metal ornament hooks can also be hazardous if swallowed or if a pet gets one caught in their mouth. Use loops of ribbon, yarn, or twine to hang ornaments instead. It might take a little longer, but it’s much safer.
Lighting Lurks: Shock and Tangle Risks
Twinkling lights add magic, but cords are irresistible chew toys for some pets, especially puppies and kittens.
- Cord Concealment: Secure electrical cords tightly against the wall or tree trunk. Use pet-proof cord protectors or concealers (available at hardware stores) for any exposed sections running along the floor.
- Low Voltage Lights: Consider using low-voltage LED lights. They generate less heat, reducing fire risk, and may deliver a less severe shock if chewed, though chewing should always be prevented.
- Unplug When Away: Never leave your pet unsupervised with holiday lights plugged in. Always unplug lights when you leave the house or go to bed.
- Tangle Prevention: Keep lights arranged neatly and avoid low-hanging loops that pets could get tangled in.
Festive Foliage: Pretty but Poisonous?
Many traditional holiday plants add beauty but can be harmful if nibbled by pets.
Plant Safety Check: Many festive plants look lovely but hide dangers for curious pets. Always double-check if a plant is toxic before bringing it home or placing it within reach. Even mild irritation from some plants can cause discomfort, while popular holiday greens like lilies, holly, and mistletoe are severely poisonous if nibbled or ingested.
Common Culprits
- Poinsettias: Their toxicity is often overstated, but the milky sap can cause mild irritation to the mouth and stomach, sometimes leading to drooling or vomiting. It’s best to keep them out of reach.
- Holly and Mistletoe: Both berries and leaves of these plants are toxic. Ingestion can cause significant gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea) and, in the case of mistletoe, even cardiovascular or neurological problems in severe cases. Keep these well away from pets or use realistic artificial versions.
- Lilies: Extremely toxic to cats. Even small ingestions of any part of the plant, or even drinking water from the vase, can cause kidney failure. Avoid having lilies in the house if you have cats.
- Amaryllis: These beautiful bulbs and flowers contain toxins that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, and tremors if ingested.
Safer Greenery Choices
Opt for non-toxic festive plants like Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera), some varieties of ferns (like Boston Fern), or bromeliads. High-quality artificial plants are always the safest bet if you’re unsure or have a particularly persistent chewer.
Candles, Scents, and Potpourri Perils
Creating a cozy ambiance often involves candles and scents, but these need careful consideration.
Flame-Free Festivities
Open flames are an obvious hazard. A curious paw or swishing tail can easily knock over a candle, leading to burns or a house fire. Switch to battery-operated flameless candles. They provide a similar flickering ambiance without the risk.
Scent Safety
Liquid potpourri, essential oil diffusers, and scented sprays can contain ingredients harmful to pets if inhaled or ingested. Cats are particularly sensitive to many essential oils. Avoid using these products directly around pets. If you want festive scents, try simmering pet-safe ingredients like cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange peels in water on the stove (always supervised), or use very small amounts of pet-friendly scented products placed well out of reach.
Gift Wrap and Ribbon Risks
The chaos of unwrapping gifts can also present hazards.
- Ribbons and Bows: Like tinsel, ingested ribbons and bows can cause dangerous intestinal blockages. Clean up wrapping supplies immediately after wrapping gifts and especially after gifts have been opened.
- Wrapping Paper: While small amounts of plain paper might pass through, large amounts or paper with heavy dyes, glitter, or foil can cause stomach upset or potential blockages. Supervise pets during gift opening and discard wrappings promptly.
- Secure Storage: Keep wrapped gifts stored securely, perhaps in a closed room or elevated area, until it’s time to open them, preventing pets from “opening” them early and potentially ingesting harmful materials.
Holiday decorating with pets in mind doesn’t mean sacrificing festive spirit. By being aware of potential dangers and making thoughtful choices – securing the tree, opting for shatterproof ornaments, managing cords, selecting safe plants, avoiding flames and toxic scents, and being vigilant with wrapping – you can create a beautiful holiday setting that everyone, including your beloved pets, can enjoy safely. A little prevention ensures the holidays remain a happy and healthy time for all.
