How to pet-proof your Christmas tree

Pet owners are being advised on how to keep their furry friends safe and away from their Christmas Tree this festive season. 

Experts at Online-Bedrooms.co.uk have offered tips for homeowners to keep their dogs, cats and decorations safe over the festive period. 

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Christmas trees are a traditional decoration for households during the festive season but they can also pose danger to pets.

Pet owners are being advised to carefully consider their decorations and use natural deterrents such as citrus to keep their furry friends away from the tree. 

Experts also advise not to put presents under the tree until the night before Christmas to prevent pets destroying them.

Cat Wiltshire from Online-Bedrooms.co.uk said: “Pets are often excited by new shiny Christmas decorations that have appeared in the house.

“Bright and shiny items can be fun to play with but owners should be aware of the potential risks surrounding our fun festivities.

“Lights should be hung out of your pets reach as they could cause burns or electric shocks if they manage to nibble through the hanging wires.

“Consider a festive fence around the bottom of your tree, or spray it with natural deterrence to avoid our furry friends coming to harm.”

Here are Online-Bedrooms.co.uk’s seven top tips for a pet-friendly Christmas tree:

1. Setting up the tree 

Consider setting up your tree in a place where it can be safely sectioned off or opt for a room where your pet doesn’t visit often. It is important to invest in a sturdy and heavy stand to secure the base of your tree and prevent it from getting knocked over.

2. Keep lights out of reach

Lights can be a danger to pets and they can be at risk of electric shocks and burns if they nibble though any wires.Make sure to hang lights out of reach and any other lights around the house should also be secured to walls instead of hanging too close to the ground.

3. Avoid hanging chocolates and candy canes 

Although some people enjoy putting treats on the tree at christmas time it is best to avoid this if you have pets in your home, this will only encourage them to try and jump on the tree. Often the treats that are used are chocolate or candy canes which can both be toxic to pets.

4. Chose decorations wisely

It is best to avoid any sharp or delicate ornaments on the tree, if they are to break you risk shards getting stuck in any paws. Aim to place all decorations higher up on the tree out of reach as an extra precaution. Avoid using decorations such as tinsel that can also create a choking hazard.

5. Secure decorations

It’s important to minimise the risk of ornaments falling off and you can do this by using thick twine, strong string or wire to carefully secure them in place. 

6. Wait until morning for presents

As tempting as it can be to fill your Christmas tree with presents around the bottom, hold off until the morning or the night before Christmas to eliminate the risk of your pets accidentally destroying any gifts. 

7. Use deterrents 

Spraying pet safe deterrent is a good way to keep furry friends away from attacking trees, citrus is a great natural deterrent so could be a fun way to add a festive twist whilst keeping your pets at bay.