The Grinch might be the most infamous creature to tear down Christmas decorations, but he's certainly not the most common. It seems our social media streams are flooded every Holiday season with various critters that destroyed a carefully made display. To end the massacre, we've put together some tips of pet-safe holiday decor tips to keep your furry friends safe, and your display intact, all through the Holidays.
READ: 10 Simple Holiday Decor Ideas For Your Small Space
These are also great tips for young kids—since we all know animals and kids can create the same type of disasters, right?
Avoid: Imitation snow
Also called flocking, imitation snow on a Christmas tree can be very hazardous to pets if they happen to eat it. So keep in mind those Christmas tree branches that look like fun sticks for pets to chew on might carry toxins from the flocking. Stick to other forms of tree décor for the sake of your pet, bare branches will do just fine. Plus, no one really believed it snowed in your house anyways...
READ: 15 Affordable Holiday Gift Ideas For The Hostess That Aren’t Wine
Avoid: Preservatives on your tree
Chemical preservatives are sometimes used on Christmas trees to keep them fresh longer, especially when they're bought pre-cut. The problem with these chemicals is that they can leach down into the water bowl at the bottom of the tree. If your pet has a habit of drinking out of the tree's water bowl, this could mean they're drinking contaminated water. If you're worried your tree has preservatives on it, or if you sprayed it already, make sure to cover the bowl securely so your pet can't get into it.
Avoid: Edible ornaments
Of course, you’re proud of your kid's homemade popcorn art ornament. And yes, candy canes are extremely festive. But if you’re hanging these items all around your tree, you’re just asking for your pet to try and eat them. Too much sugar from the candy canes can cause a sugar rush, the glue used on ornaments could be toxic, or the materials used may be poisonous or hazardous. All in all, it is best to place these ornaments on areas of the tree where your pet cannot reach. Plus, those ornaments are probably so stale that no one should really risk eating them anyways.
READ: Pet-Friendly Holiday Decor Turns From Christmas Story Into Horror Story
Avoid: Low hanging Christmas lights
When wrapping lights around a Christmas tree, keep the strands away from the very bottom where a cat or dog can easily chew on the electrical cords. This will obviously result in an electrical shock. In general, make sure the end of the extension cord is tucked away so your pet cannot get to it. And, make sure you regularly check on tangled cords and wires around the outlet and bottom of the tree where cats like to hide. A hanging wire could result in a tangled kitty and a mangled tree.
READ: 10 Hideous Holiday Home Decorations To Avoid
Avoid: Holly berries
According to the ASPCA, holly berries are considered potentially toxic. If consumed in large amounts and they may result in gastrointestinal irritation and depression of the central nervous system. Just skip it all together and mimic the look with cranberries (also a much more affordable option).
Want To Flip This And Save Your Decor From Your Pets?
How About Half A Christmas Tree?
Half the tree means twice the amount of decorations stay on the tree. Not only does this ingenious solution leave more room for presents from Santa, but it also means half the time decorating and no dangling objects for pets to get into.
Unfortunately, though, this tree isn't safe from birds—everyone knows they can't be trusted.
