Holiday decorations are an essential part of the month. But if you have pets and youre not sure whats safe or unsafe to hang up this year, you might be worried youll look a bit like a grinch from your lack of holiday spirit. The good news? You dont have to give up on your favorites. With a few modifications and simple guidelines, you can have a pet-friendly December after all.
Pet-Friendly December Tips
Christmas Trees
Christmas trees are still an okay thing to have in your apartment if youve got pets. First, putting your tree in a corner can reduce the temptationand abilityfor your pets to pounce on your noble fir. If that only slightly quells the danger of them jumping, you can utilize a water bottle filled with noisy nick-nacks to sound off when they get too close for comfort. Small festive baby fences can also work.
As far as lights and ornaments, its best to keep those off of the lower branches. This will help hedge off the risk for burns or shock if they gnaw at the wire, and the danger of ornaments being ingested. If youre a fan of tinsel, youll want to do without it as tinsel can cause intestinal blockagesomething that only surgery can usually fix. Its also a good idea to vacuum up any pine needles on the floor. Though not usually all that harmful, brittle pine needles can cause punctures in your pets intestines.
Other Decorations
Holly, mistletoe, and poinsettia plants are poisonous to both dogs and cats. Stores make pretty convincing plastic variations of each if youre still going for that classic aesthetic, but putting these plants out of reachand keeping a watchful eyeis also okay. If you have any wires running from lights or other decorations, its smart to tape those flush to the wall if you can. This can help reduce the risk of electrocution. Pet-Friendly December Tips, part 1
Holiday decorations are an essential part of the month. But if you have pets and youre not sure whats safe or unsafe to hang up this year, you might be worried youll look a bit like a grinch from your lack of holiday spirit. The good news? You dont have to give up on your favorites. With a few modifications and simple guidelines, you can have a pet-friendly December after all.
Pet-Friendly December Tips
Christmas Trees
Christmas trees are still an okay thing to have in your apartment if youve got pets. First, putting your tree in a corner can reduce the temptationand abilityfor your pets to pounce on your noble fir. If that only slightly quells the danger of them jumping, you can utilize a water bottle filled with noisy nick-nacks to sound off when they get too close for comfort. Small festive baby fences can also work.
As far as lights and ornaments, its best to keep those off of the lower branches. This will help hedge off the risk for burns or shock if they gnaw at the wire, and the danger of ornaments being ingested. If youre a fan of tinsel, youll want to do without it as tinsel can cause intestinal blockagesomething that only surgery can usually fix. Its also a good idea to vacuum up any pine needles on the floor. Though not usually all that harmful, brittle pine needles can cause punctures in your pets intestines.
Other Decorations
Holly, mistletoe, and poinsettia plants are poisonous to both dogs and cats. Stores make pretty convincing plastic variations of each if youre still going for that classic aesthetic, but putting these plants out of reachand keeping a watchful eyeis also okay. If you have any wires running from lights or other decorations, its smart to tape those flush to the wall if you can. This can help reduce the risk of electrocution.