Why Christmas Trees and Dogs Are a Bad Combination

Photo by Bjorn Agerbeek on Unsplash

The holidays are upon us! If you and your family celebrate Christmas, you likely plan on putting up a tree. To keep your dog safe, you’ll need to take some precautions with your tree and especially the decorations. This article will outline everything you need to know about Christmas decorations and dogs, including what is toxic and how to prevent harm. You’ll also discover the hidden benefits of routine dog care!

Live tree dangers versus artificial tree dangers

It’s the eternal debate when settling on a Christmas tree plan. Real or fake? If you are putting up a real tree, you’ll be happy to know that the most popular choices – pine, fir, and spruce – are non-toxic for dogs. But the needles? That’s a different story. If ingested, the needles can cause oral irritation. If your pup eats a large number of needles, gastrointestinal upset is a risk.

What about the water used to keep a real tree vibrant in the weeks leading up to Christmas day? Many people elect to add fertilizer or preservatives to the tree’s water supply. If your dog drinks the water in the tree stand, these chemicals can cause illness. Even if you don’t add anything to the water, mold and bacteria can quickly develop in the tree stand, potentially making your furry friend sick.

Artificial trees, although free from sap or oils, still pose potential risks to your dog. As these trees age, they become more brittle. Small pieces of the tree could break off and hit the floor. A curious pup could easily sniff out these pieces. If eaten, your pup could suffer gastrointestinal troubles.

Christmas tree decoration dangers

What about all the beautiful, eye-catching decorations? Your dog will likely be captivated by so many new and interesting things to sniff and potentially eat. The worst among them? Ornaments, lights, and tinsel.

Ornaments

The pretty ornaments adorning your tree may prove too tempting for your pup. One quick bat of the paw can cause those pretty decorations to hit the floor. If they shatter, your pup could risk getting cut on his paws or inside his mouth. The best solution? Keep ornaments up higher on the tree where your dog can’t reach them, and buy shatter-proof decorations.

Light strings

Lights are often appealing to pets. But chewing on them can cause choking hazards and cause severe electrical burns.

Tinsel

Tinsel may look pretty on your tree, but it’s one of the leading Christmas decoration choking hazards for pets. If your pup eats tinsel, he or she may have to undergo surgery to remove a blockage. It’s best to skip tinsel on your tree if you have pets.

Hooks

Those seemingly “invisible” hooks used to hang Christmas decorations on your tree can prove catastrophic to your dog if eaten. These hooks can lodge themselves in your pup’s throat or even intestines, so avoid using them. Try using a ribbon to hang your decorations instead.

Gifts

The Christmas decoration dangers to your dog are not just on the tree itself. All those gifts sitting under the tree pose potential risks to your pup. Ribbons, string, and other decorations could lead to choking problems and intestinal blockages.

Prevention is the best solution to Christmas decoration health risks

Limiting your dog’s access to your tree and decorations is the easiest, safest way to keep your pup out of harm’s way. Below are a few solutions:

Close off the room

Consider locating your tree in a room with a door that can be closed, limiting your pup’s access.

Baby gate

Another simple solution is a baby gate. Many baby gates can be expanded to block off entrances wider than the average doorway.

Enclose the tree

You may also want to install simple yet fashionable lattice fencing around your tree. This can keep your dog away from the tree while still allowing access to the room.

Crate your dog

Opening gifts is often one of the most chaotic periods of the holiday season. With all the wrapping paper being tossed about and other hazards coming into play, your dog may feel better in a dog crate or blocked-off den area. All the stress can be overwhelming, plus your pup will be isolated away from the dangers.

Remember, your dog doesn't understand all the fuss. The changes to their regular environment can be confusing to dogs. They investigate new things in their world by sniffing and tasting. It’s up to you to keep them safe.

Give your dog the gift of health and wellness 

Some symptoms of holiday decoration mishaps are easy to miss in the chaos of the yuletide season. Diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, or even weight loss can go unnoticed during the chaotic holiday proceedings. What if you had an advocate looking out for your dog?

Scenthound’s affordable Monthly Care Club gives your pup access to all Scenthound locations for routine dog care and basic grooming. Our kind, compassionate S.C.E.N.T Techs get to know your dog each month while providing them with the hygienic care they need to stay clean, healthy, and smelling good. If they notice a sudden change in your dog’s behavior or a possible health concern, they will alert you right away. 

Ready to get your dog started with monthly grooming? Use our handy store locator to find the Scenthound closest to you.