Seven ways to pet-proof your Christmas tree

Careful pet owners are being offered seven top tips to keep inquisitive pets away from their Christmas trees.

Pets and trees aren't always the safest of combination, which is why fitted furniture experts at Online-Bedrooms.co.uk are offering their hacks for keeping festive decoration safe over the festive period. 

Not only does keeping your cat or dog off your tree cause annoyance to owners, but the well loved Christmas centrepiece can also be dangerous for our four-legged friends. 

Needles and pines from real trees may puncture a pet’s digestive tract when swallowed, while decoration and lights on false trees can burn, electrocute, or puncture their paws. 

Tips include avoiding lights on the base of the tree, staying away from tinsel and using scented pinecones as deterrents.

Nic Shacklock from Online-Bedrooms.co.uk said: “The last thing families want to do is spend the whole month of December trying to get their cat off the tree or their dog away from the presents underneath it. This is why we wanted to share our top tips with animal lovers - so they can keep their trees intact and their pets happy at the same time.

“Things like avoiding stringling lights near the base of your tree and avoiding breakable baubles may seem obvious - but can quickly be forgotten when caught up in the festive spirit. However, it is super important with all decorations during Christmas to ensure you are not posing any danger to your four-legged friends.”

Here are Online-Bedrooms.co.uk’s seven top tips for a pet-friendly Christmas tree:

Lights

Christmas tree lights can add a bit of magic to your tree but can be dangerous for your pets. Some may get extremely hot and burn a small pet interested in getting a closer look or cause electric shocks to little ones nibbling on the wires. If you are keen on stringing lights on your tree, make sure to only string them from about halfway up, depending on the size of your pet. 

Any other Christmas lights around the house should be secured to the wall where possible to avoid dangling close to the ground. 

Gifts 

It is best to delay putting gifts under the tree until Christmas eve or Christmas morning if possible. This way, you are removing additional temptation for your pet and avoiding any heartbreak to find your perfectly wrapped present torn apart by your pet. 

Consider placing the tree above ground level

For those with smaller dogs, placing your tree on a small table may just be enough to keep their pup away from causing any damage to the decorations or themselves.

Scented pinecones

Add some deterrent decorations by spraying some apple cider vinegar on a few pinecones and placing them at the base of your tree. The smell will keep pets away without the need of any large or non-aesthetically pleasing barriers. 

Isolate your tree

One of the best things you can do to deter a pesky pet is to place your tree in a room which can be sectioned off from the rest of the house. Make this a room that your pet doesn't particularly spend lots of time in alone to make it an easier transition for you and your family. 

Secure all decorations

Pets love to play with toys, and cats especially enjoy making toys out of everything in their way - with hanging tree decorations included. Avoid the heartbreak of finding your favourite bauble broken on the floor by carefully securing all tree decorations with twine, strong string or wire. 

Smashed baubles can also cause a serious concern for your pet’s paws. If possible, skip any breakable decorations completely to prevent potential danger for your four-legged friend. 

Avoid tinsel 

Although widely known as a symbol for festive cheer, adding tinsel to your tree this year might just be the reason your pet spends the whole of December trying to climb and attack the tree you spent so much time putting together. The shiny material may attract pets and encourage them to climb, jump and attach themselves to their Christmas tree. 

(image courtesy of Iryna Bakurskaya and Pixabay)