Dog Proofing For The Holidays

We all love decorating for one of the biggest holidays of the year, who knew that your dog’s safety could be at risk by doing so?

 

When decorating for Christmas what kind of tree to choose?

When deciding how to decorate for Christmas the first thing you should consider is how your dog might be affected by the decorations. There are many dangers that can occur and dog proofing is essential. First of all, if you choose a real Christmas tree, you need to understand they can be dangerous for dogs. Make sure to put dog proof barriers around your tree so your furry-friend can’t get to the tree and ingest the needles. Secondly, artificial trees are a great alternative to a real Christmas tree, however ingesting the plastic needles may still be harmful to your dog or puppy. Thirdly, and most importantly, make sure to stabilize your tree so it can’t fall and potentially hurt your dog.

 

Which ornaments are pet safe?

Every dog is different, so if your dog likes tearing up plush toys, then its not recommended to hang plush ornaments on your tree. Plastic ornaments are always the safer choice as they can be harder to shatter, especially when compared to glass ornaments. Next, what is the best option for hanging ornaments on the tree?  Instead of using metal hooks, you can use string or even plastic paperclips, these are much safer for pets.

There are several ornaments you will want to stay away from, here are some of them:

  •       Glass ornaments
  •       Popcorn string ornaments
  •       Metal hooks
  •       Tinsel
  •       Bells
  •        Candy canes or chocolate

 

This last tip might be hard to do, but make sure to delay placing presents under the tree unless you have a physical barrier to keep your pets from shredding your gifts. Decorating your home and dog proofing for the holidays go together, so make sure to keep your dog’s and pet’s safety in mind this holiday season.

Still searching for the perfect pet? Learn more about Puppy Paw Network!

 

This article was written by Ashley Foglesong & Teresa Campbell, Professional Breeders