The holidays are a time filled with yummy treats and fun decor. While we love a festive home, it’s important to make sure your decorations are safe from your pup!
In this post, we’ll discuss the ways you can dog-proof your decorations.
Holiday Hazards
Some common decorations that can be dangerous for your dog include:
- Ornaments: When ornaments hang low on your Christmas tree, it can be tempting for your dog to grab, but this is a huge no-no. If an ornament is chewed or consumed, it can break into sharp pieces that can cause your dog serious harm.
Christmas tree bristles: While most Christmas trees are generally safe for dogs, the needles themselves can be a big problem. The pointy needles can cause injury to your dog’s eye if they get too close, as well as cause complications if the tree trimmings are consumed. - Power strips: With all the Christmas lights plugged in, there’s going to be a few exposed power strips. It’s important to keep any power strips in a spot your dog cannot access to avoid the chance of electrocution.
- Stockings: It’s easy to think that the stocking can be your dogs new favorite toy. It’s important to keep them out of your pup’s reach in order to prevent shredding of the stocking, or consumption of the candy and treats that are inside
Now let’s talk about how we can make our festive home, dog friendly!
Tips For Dog-Proofing Your Home For the Holidays
- Go for a raised Christmas tree: Keeping your Christmas tree off the ground is a great way to prevent your dog from getting to the ornaments or lights hanging.
- Make use of a baby gate: Blocking off rooms filled with decorations or your tree can be great to safety proof for not only dogs but small children as well.
- Avoid low hanging lights and ornaments: Low hanging lights and ornaments are low-hanging fruit that can be easily plucked off by your dog. This can cause electrocution, and ingesting broken glass so it’s best to keep them out of reach to avoid any potential danger.
- Bring out presents on Christmas day: A box of presents around your tree can be an invitation for your pup to start exploring what’s inside. To prevent early opened presents, only bring them out on Christmas day.
- Don’t leave cookies out! Your kids might want you to leave out cookies for Santa, but your dog might be the one who eats them. I shouldn’t have to tell you to keep these sugary cookies out of reach of your pup. Same goes for candy canes on your tree!
Have any other tips? Let me know in the comments below!
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