Tips for Pet-Friendly Holiday Decorations

The holidays are an exciting time for everyone! Trimming trees, hanging mistletoe, the sweet scent of cookies, and other delicious baked goods lingering in the air and so much more. There are several precautions, however, that need to be taken in order to keep your precious pets safe and happy this holiday season. Whether you own cats, dogs, or other types of pets, it is important to ensure that your home is pet-friendly during this festive time of year. That's why we've compiled a list of holiday safety tips for every pet parent who wants to keep their pets safe during the happiest time of the year.

Pet Friendly Holiday Decoration Tips: 

1. Avoid tinsel and imitation snow. This can cause serious internal irritation for cats and dogs if ingested.
2. Skip the holly berries. These innocent berries are potentially toxic if consumed in large quantities by a curious pet and can lead to significant medical complications.
3. If you have cats, avoid having poinsettias in your home. While these beautiful red flowers bring Christmas cheer to any room, they are anything but cheerful for the felines in your life. These flowers are poisonous and cats can become very ill (even to the point of kidney failure) if they eat them. If someone does give you this holiday plant, keep it out of reach so your pets are not at risk. If your cat ever eats a toxic plant, call the ASPCA animal poison control center immediately. Learn more about 
   cat friendly plants. 
4. Many people use strings of popcorn and candy canes to decorate their Christmas trees, but as a pet owner, you should make sure these decorations are high up on the tree where it's out of your pet's reach. It is never a good idea for pets to ingest human food as it might make their stomach upset at best and cause intestinal obstruction at worst. This doesn't mean they have to miss out on all the fun though! Gifts for dogs can be as simple as a packet of their favorite treats!
5. Properly secure your Christmas tree. Your playful puppy and frisky kitten are not going to stop frolicking just because you have a tree in your home. A pet-proof Christmas tree is a must for the holidays, or else a fallen tree might lead to broken ornaments, pine needles everywhere, and split tree water. For a dog and cat safe Christmas tree, secure or anchor the holiday tree stand to the wall or floor. It's no surprise that puppies and Christmas trees don't mix! Consider blocking your tree off with an indoor enclosure to keep your pup (and your tree!) out of harm's way. A cat-friendly Christmas tree requires a little extra effort because they might try to climb up it, so make sure you work to prevent this.
6. As the snow gently falls outside and the holiday music plays in the background, candles provide the perfect touch to the holiday ambiance in your home. Pet owners, however, need to make sure that all open flames are high up so that pets do not accidentally knock the candles over or burn themselves while walking by. Make sure your cats and dogs stay far away from your menorah or kinara.
7. Cats love to climb and may want to treat your beautifully decorated Christmas tree as their own personal jungle gym. They will probably break your glass ornaments, which is why providing cats with an alternative climbing tree is a great idea! There are many different cat tree options available for purchase, or you can even make your own if you are a DIY kinda person. With their own tree, your cat will be less tempted to climb the "person" Christmas tree and knock down your very breakable ornaments.
8. Make sure that your Christmas lights are out of reach. If your pet chews on the electrical cord, they can be at a serious risk of electrocution. You can also check out electrical cord guards that will protect your holiday lights and pets from disaster.

The holidays are a special time of year, and following holiday pet safety tips will make sure that your pets will get to enjoy the season as well. By putting in a little extra effort during the decorating process with these pet-friendly holiday decorations, you can ensure that your furry friends remain safe, happy, and warm well into the new year.

But enough about what NOT to do. Remember your dog or cat as you are picking out holiday gifts – every family member enjoys a special treat or a new toy once in a while. Plus, cat and dog presents are the most fun to shop for! Some of the best Christmas gifts for your dog are as simple as a pack of their favorite treats or an extra-special bone. And you get to decorate it in wrapping paper too!

A fun way to celebrate Christmas with your pets is to dress them up in cat or dog Christmas outfits. A dog Santa Costume is an absolutely adorable way to celebrate the holiday spirit, just make sure your pup is comfortable! Don't forget to take some dog Christmas photos like the one above to commemorate the special time. However you choose to celebrate, we would like to wish you and your pets a very happy holiday season!

As the holiday season gets closer, the weather gets colder! If your pet isn't blessed with a natural sweater, you can consider getting them a sweater for the chilly winter days!