In our second Dog Days of Christmas we share how dangerous decorations can be for your dog – tinsel, the tree, fancy lights and tempting edible baubles can all pose a threat to them.
Let’s talk about the decorations
This year I’m seeing more decorations going up early than ever before. I love to see the lights twinkling outside and inside houses as I go past.
There are several houses on the Peninsula that regularly go crazy with their Christmas displays, with incredible riots of colours, moving models and a myriad of lights in their gardens every year in order to collect money for charity. Which they definitely deserve, given the amount of time, energy and money these wonderful displays take.
But decorations can be dangerous for your dog.
Think carefully about your tree
Most species of Christmas tree aren’t very toxic, but oils from the needles may be irritating to the mouth and stomach, causing excessive dribbling, vomiting and diarrhoea if chewed. Needles from Christmas trees are sharp and could cause injury to your dog’s mouth and throat.
Baubles and tinsel are usually made of plastic, paper or foil which aren’t too toxic. But if they are eaten, they can get stuck in your dog’s throat or stomach and can cause a dangerous obstruction which may need surgery to remove. And I can tell you from bitter experience that chewed up tinsel gets EVERYWHERE…
Fairy lights have obvious electrical dangers – keep electrical cables tidy and out of the way – and the tiny shards of plastic if they are eaten could cut your dog’s mouth, throat or stomach.
Here’s my tree safety tips:
- Choose your tree carefully. Artificial trees won’t drop needles and so may be less harmful to pets
- Put your tree up for a few days before decorating it. This can help your dog gets used to it before you add the lights and baubles
- Use a strong stand, or tether the tree to the wall or ceiling to prevent it being knocked over, or use a metal puppy pen or fireguard around it
- If you have a real tree, put a tree base cover around it to prevent your dog drinking any water you may use to prolong its life
- Keep the bottom branches bare. Fairy lights, tinsel and baubles should all be placed high up where your dog can’t reach them
- Tape the fairy light electric cable(s) down to prevent them being chewed
- Avoid hanging things like chocolate coins, sweets, or salt-dough decorations on your tree – these could make your dog very ill if eaten
- If your dog loves to open presents they shouldn’t, either place presents under the tree in a large, strong box or behind a guard, or wait to put them out until Christmas Eve night
Keep training and stay safe,
Carol
