No matter what holiday you celebrate the chances that your pet will be a part of the festivities is high. It is up to you to make sure that they are safe throughout the holiday. Choosing pet friendly decor is an easy way to keep an emergency vet visit out of their future.
The temptation to use decorations that are made from fresh and or edible items is high but you need to keep in mind that your pet does not know the difference from what is acceptable to eat (pet food and treats) and what is not (strung popcorn, holly berries, ect.). Silk poinsettia plants and fake trees are the best option for pet owners. Pine needles are mildly toxic and cause intestinal upset and poinsettias are know to be a danger when digested. Artificial centerpieces and faux holly berries and mistletoe will give off tons of Christmas cheer without putting any pet in danger.
Artificial Christmas trees also have the advantage of being able to be secured much more easily to the wall. Using invisible wires you can secure your tree to the wall without affecting the look. This will make sure that any pet interference will hopefully be minimal. Choosing ornaments that are more durable will prevent the decorations from causing injury if they fall from the tree. Securing your ornaments with wire or wrapping the hook around the branches is an easy way to prevent any from falling off and causing a hazard. If you do find yourself with fragile pieces you would still like to include on your tree make sure they are higher up on the tree and have extra wiring to keep them in place. Refraining from putting anything edible on your is also a good idea because it will hopefully keep the interest in the tree to a minimum. If you have recently introduced a new puppy to the family it might be wise to put up a puppy gate around the tree to keep an excitable pup safe from temptation until fully trained.
Candle light is another feature of holiday decor that is popular during the season. Replacing the candles with battery-operated lights will still keep the aesthetic while also protecting a energetic dog or a curious cat from causing a hazard. Keeping lit candle in pet free rooms as well as keeping them out of reach of any pet is a reasonable choice.
Whether if you are decorating the Christmas tree or lighting the menorah it is always important to keep your pets in mind when you are decorating so that you can avoid any emergency situations. Make sure you have any vet information readily available should an issue arise so that it can be handled quickly!
