With the holidays in full swing, it’s time to deck the halls and make your house festive. But as you’re hanging up garlands and lights, be sure to keep your pet’s safety in mind. Unfortunately, these decorations also present a potential danger to your furry friends. Did you know that nearly 80% of pet owners decorate their homes for the holidays? To help keep your pet safe this holiday season, here are some decorating tips that you should consider before stringing up those lights and hanging the tinsel.
Keep Your Decorations at Pet-Level
No doubt about it, cats and dogs like to explore. They often find ways to get into places they shouldn’t be—like behind that cozy Christmas tree. To avoid any accidents, try keeping your decorations at a height that your pets can’t reach or tempt them with. Not only will this help keep them safe (and out of trouble!), but it will also make sure they don’t get too curious and accidentally break any of your beloved decorations!
Be Careful with Lights
Lights are essential for getting into the holiday spirit, but make sure to keep an eye on cords and wires! We all know how cats love to climb up curtains and other things around the house, so make sure any dangling strands of lights are hung well out of reach from their curious paws.
While cats may be intrigued by their twinkling beauty, they could end up getting shocked if they decide to play with them. This is especially important for electrical cords; animals may be tempted to chew on them and put themselves at risk of harm from electrocution. To avoid this, secure any loose ends with tape or cover them with an animal-safe protector sleeve.
Additionally, some lights use LED bulbs which emit higher levels of heat than traditional incandescent bulbs—so if you do happen to have a cat who likes playing with cords or wires, triple-check that all lights are unplugged when not in use.
Secure Decorative Items
Holiday decorations like figurines, stockings, and wreaths can easily be knocked over by excited pets running through the house. For heavier items like glass ornaments, consider using double-sided Velcro strips or Command Strips to keep them securely in place. If you have any fragile items that could be easily broken by a rambunctious pet, it might be best to put them away this holiday season until they’re old enough to understand not to play with them.
Choose Natural Greenery Wisely
Nothing adds holiday cheer quite like a festive evergreen wreath on the door or a Christmas tree in the corner of the living room—but if you have pets in your home, there are certain types of plants that you should avoid using as decorations because they can pose a serious health risk if ingested by animals. These include holly berries, mistletoe berries, ivy plants, lilies (very toxic for cats), and pine needles (which can cause gastrointestinal irritation). If you still want to add natural greenery as decoration this year, opt for non-toxic alternatives such as boxwood shrubs or eucalyptus branches instead.
Secure Your Tree – If you have a real tree in the house (which nearly 25% of households do), it is important to make sure it is secured properly so that there aren't any accidents when kitties or puppies come running through the living room. Tie down your tree with a fishing line so that it won't tip over if brushed against or jumped on by playful pets. This will also give you peace of mind knowing that all those precious glass ornaments won't come crashing down onto the floor!
As pet parents ourselves, we understand how important safety is during this holiday season. Decorating for the holidays doesn’t have to mean worrying about keeping your pet safe! With just a few simple precautions—such as putting lights out of reach and choosing natural greenery wisely—you can ensure that both you and your four-legged family members enjoy a happy holiday season free from stress and injury. Happy decorating!