Holiday Decorating Tips For Pet Owners

Season’s Greetings! Do you fully immerse yourself in decorating at this time of year? Or do you opt for a minimal approach? Regardless of whether you create elaborate light displays that attract visitors from far and wide, or simply add a few candles to your windowsill, you’ll need to consider your beloved furry companions. Mischievous dogs and cats are always cute, but they can cause quite a bit of chaos at this time of year. A nearby South West Fort Wayne, IN veterinarian shares some tips on how to decorate responsibly in this article.

Creating A Pet-Safe Tree

The beautiful tree can pose a serious hazard to a frisky ball of fur. First, many decorations are unsafe. Small or sharp objects pose a risk to curious pets. That includes ornaments, as well as ornament hooks. 

Be extra careful if you have a live tree, as the water might contain traces of pesticides, herbicides, or fire retardants, all of which are unsafe for Fido and Fluffy. Use plain water in the bowl. Also, avoid using the tree store’s ‘food’ packet, which likely also contains chemicals that are unsafe for your pet. Covering the bowl isn’t a bad idea. Just don’t stop watering the tree: dry trees pose serious fire hazards. 

Be sure to pick up fallen needles and tinsel, as these are choking hazards for kids and pets. If swallowed, these can also cause serious internal injuries. 

How Can I Cat Proof My Tree? 

That’s the million-dollar question. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees here. However, there are a few things you can do to keep Fluffy out of your tree. 

Put only plain, durable ornaments on the lower branches. Save anything delicate, tiny, pointy, or stringy for the upper portion of the tree. (Word to the wise: Hanging shiny ornaments in Fluffy’s easy reach is basically inviting chaos.) 

Another approach is to restrict your feline friend’s access to the tree. You could set up a puppy gate (which can also be adorned) or strategically place presents to block Fluffy’s potential destruction. Using taste deterrents may also prove helpful. 

Startling your pet when she approaches the tree may also work, though your results may vary. You’ll want to do something that will annoy your cat, without actually hurting or scaring her. Sound an alarm on your phone, bang pots together, or activate that singing snowman in the hall. 

If your feline pal is extremely frisky, then you may want to use a clear fishing line to secure the top of the tree to the wall or ceiling. This won’t show, but will provide a bit of extra support. 

You can also consider getting a fake tree. In addition to being harder for your cat to climb, an artificial tree will also save you both money and resources in the long run. You also won’t have to worry about your pet drinking the water. 

Keep Candles In Safe Places 

Fires and pets are never a safe combination. Keep this in mind around the holidays. A pine-scented candle may smell amazing, but it isn’t safe to have within Fido and Fluffy’s range of access. Candles should always be placed high and out of the reach of those cute paws. You should also keep wax burners and potpourri burners in safe spots. Put a thick grate in front of a fire pit or fireplace to keep pets safe. 

Know What Holiday Plants Are Dangerous To Pets 

Unfortunately, many seasonal plants like holly, ivy, and mistletoe, are toxic to pets. 

• Lilies are a huge concern. Anything in the true lily family, such as Day, Tiger, Easter, Asiatic, and Japanese Show lilies, is poisonous to cats. It’s important to note that all parts of the plant are poisonous. In fact, even ingesting a small amount of the water can lead to organ failure. 
• Amaryllis can cause intestinal blockages and symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, depression, abdominal pain, drooling, tremors, and loss of appetite. 
• Holly and mistletoe are also unsafe, and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and depression. 
• Poinsettias aren’t as dangerous as some of the other plants listed, but can still cause stomach upset, vomiting, drooling, and oral irritation. 
• Yew is also extremely dangerous for Fluffy and Fido as it can result in tremors, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and seizures possibly leading to death. 

Real plants should be kept in high spots so that your pet cannot get to them. Fake plants can also be dangerous. Some have glitter or paint on them, which aren’t safe either. Others have small pieces, such as plastic ‘berries’ or cute little elf figurines, which can be choking hazards. Please check with your South West Fort Wayne, IN veterinarian for more details. 

Ribbons And Strings: An Innocent-Seeming Danger 

Ribbons and strings are a huge danger to pets. These pose both choking and entanglement threats. This alone should make you cautious. However, that’s not all. These types of items can cause very serious internal injuries as they pass through your pet’s gastrointestinal system. These injuries may require surgery, and can even be fatal. 

Things to watch for include tinsel, lights, ribbons, strings, garlands, and popcorn strands. Handmade or cloth items can also be unsafe if they unravel. 

Consider Pet Personalities 

Keep your pet and their personality in mind when decorating as well. For instance, if you have a very anxious dog, you may not want to put that inflatable singing reindeer up in the yard. You’ll also need to be more cautious with a puppy that’s in his chew-everything stage than you would with a calm senior who has outgrown those shenanigans. As for Fluffy, if your kitty is a champion at smacking things off tables, then putting a set of fragile elf figurines on your coffee table will probably just result in you finding elf parts all over the floor. 

Take Precautions With Guests 

Having company? Keep your furry friends in mind here, as well. Guests should never pose a threat; the main concern is that a mishap could occur. This could be anything from someone accidentally letting Fido out, or stepping on Fluffy’s tail. Ask guests to keep their rooms closed. This can prevent common mishaps, such as your dog chewing on their shoes, or your cat leaving a perfectly placed hairball on the bed. 

If your guests are allergic to pets, set out tissues and OTC meds for them. It’s also a good idea to vacuum and dust thoroughly, and change your air filters. 

Final Tips: 

Giving your furry pal something to occupy themselves with can help quite a bit. Toys and treats are both pawesome gifts for Fluffy and Fido. Why not give your pet their gift a bit early?  Playing with your pet will also help. Hopefully, a fun play session will tire your little buddy out enough that they’re more likely to nap than make mischief. We love seeing photos of pets snoozing in front of trees or fireplaces at this time of year. 

The holidays can be a wonderful time for pets. After all, Fluffy and Fido are part of the family! Just take a few precautions to ensure that your home is both cozy and inviting, as well as safe.

All of us here at Aboite Animal Clinic wish you a wonderful holiday season. For all of your pet’s veterinary care needs, please feel free to contact us. As your South West Fort Wayne, IN pet hospital, we’re here for you!