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The winter holiday season is a wonderful one, and certainly a great time for family, including your fur kids. The chances are, that with Thanksgiving in the books for another year your Christmas decorations will be going up soon. If you are like me, you love this part of the holidays, when everything is up your home looks magical for a month or so and you smile every time you enter your seasonally decorated home.
The problem is that, as any pet parent knows, pets and holiday decor don’t always mix well.
Real Christmas trees, seasonal berries, strung popcorn, boughs of mistletoe, desserts, fragile ornaments, candy-filled stockings and flame-lit menorahs are all very commonly found in homes in the lead up to the holidays. And many of those things can pose a danger to pets.
Given that, as I mentioned, most people start on their holiday decorating as soon as the last of the Thanksgiving turkey is gone, there are several weeks that a pet parent will have to devote to making sure that Fluffy or Fido stay safe around the holiday decor.
Sure you SHOULD deck the halls and trim the trees, but remember to organize the right precautions this holiday season to protect your pet. It is possible to transform your living space into one that is both elegantly festive and dog or cat friendly and enjoy a pet friendly holiday season.
Here are some tips, both from the point of view of a professional home organizer and interior decorator – that’s me – and a pup parent – which is also me!
Skip the Boughs of Holly
During the holiday season, people use a variety of festive plants to adorn their home but the most common choices are often poisonous plants for dogs and cats. So, how do we keep that holiday cheer while creating a safe environment for pets?
Silk plants and faux trees are great alternatives for pet-friendly homes. Artificial Christmas trees are safer for dogs and cats because they eliminate the threat of your pet consuming pine needles, which are mildly toxic and can cause a nasty stomach upset.
An artificial tree can also be securely attached to the wall or ceiling for extra stability. You can use invisible wires, which work great for holding your tree in place without affecting the look. Artificial plant centerpieces and boughs of faux mistletoe can be used to create a holiday table that shines without putting curious cats in danger too.
Although not lethal to your pet, poinsettias are known to cause discomfort if ingested. When in doubt, rule out real plants and keep any tempting items out of reach. A happy, healthy pet makes for a less stressful holiday season for everyone.
Let There Be Light—Safely
Candles, strategically placed throughout your home, add a warm, festive sparkle. However, in unprotected locations, a wagging tail can knock them over, spilling hot wax or possibly starting a fire.
You don’t have to forego the candlelit look though, just know that the real thing out for can easily be switched out for pet-friendly, battery-operated lighting.
There are plenty of battery-operated candles available that give off a similar light – and in some cases scent – to preserve the aesthetic of traditional holiday lighting without presenting a hazard to your pet. Battery-operated lighting also produces no soot on ceilings, which will keep your home looking cleaner.
Stabilize the Christmas Tree
For many of us, a well-chosen and thoughtfully decorated Christmas tree is the festive centerpiece of our home during the holidays.
However, because they can also topple easily with four-legged kids running around, make sure to attach yours to the wall or ceiling using thin, barely visible guide-wires, which are available at home improvement stores. If your dog is a puppy, you may want to consider a smaller tree, displayed on a table or counter. These work particularly well in small living spaces.
An alternative to all this is, if your fur kid is a dog, to surround your tree with a pet barrier. Such a barrier will present very little challenge to a cat however, so if a feline is a part of your family going with Plan A would be best!
And be considerate, do not put up a tree in front of your dog’s favorite place to window-watch, especially if she knows to watch for Santa!
Choose Ornaments Wisely
Ornaments add that magical look to the branches of any Christmas tree, providing the sparkle and shine that fills everyone with holiday cheer. However, fragile and breakable ornaments can cause injury to your animals if they are eaten or stepped on.
The easiest way to decorate your tree while keeping pet safety in mind is to use more durable plastic ornaments instead of glass or ceramic ones. If you still find yourself with a few pieces that are very special, but also very fragile, place them at the top of the tree with secure wiring strongly connecting them to the branches to keep them from falling, shattering, and causing cuts.
Avoid very small decorations and ones made of food, like strings of popcorn, candy, or nuts. These are enticing for dogs to chew and can pose a choking hazard. Also, keep track of the hooks you use for hanging tree ornaments. Swallowing one of these sharp metal hooks can cause great harm to your dog or cat.
Hang the Stockings by the Chimney With Care
Heavy metal stocking holders look great. However, if a dog tugs at a stocking and the holder falls, it can injure them. A safer choice is an unobtrusive plastic hook that attaches with removable tape.
Alternatively, consider hanging them from bedroom doorknobs or placing them under the tree in the morning. And don’t tempt good dogs into becoming naughty dogs by filling the stockings with food items before Christmas morning.
Dinner is Served
Long tablecloths or runners can accidentally get yanked by playful pups, especially playful pups who smell yummy food, causing dishes, tableware, and hot food to come tumbling down. Using shorter cloths and runners or placemats that do not hang over the edge of a table is a safer alternative.
Taking a few minutes to create a dog-friendly living space during the holiday season is worth the time and effort. You and your guests will be able to sit back, relax, and fully enjoy the festivities without having to anticipate what possible dog-related drama may occur! Just as importantly your fur kid will have a great day too!
Need some extra help with your holiday decorating this year? Our Houston holiday decorating service is just the thing. We’ll come in and help you create a wonderful winter wonderland – a kid and pet safe one if needed – so you can focus on the most important things; family, friends and fun.
Working with Taya and her team is easy. You can book an appointment easily on her website, or contact her directly at 832-271-7608
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