Dog proof Christmas tree

You can feel the excitement in the air as Christmas time approaches. Given how tumultuous 2021 has turned out to be, people are appreciative to be able to celebrate with family and friends this year.

But while you dust off the Christmas tree and pull out all of your Christmas trinkets from storage, please keep in mind that not all decorations are safe for your four-legged friend. In fact, there are a lot of items that could pose a health risk to your furball.

Here are some tips on how to dog-proof your Christmas tree, some may seem obvious but others are surprising like the potential effects of a real tree on a dog.

The easiest and most efficient way to ensure your dog doesn't get into mischief with your tree is to create a barrier or fence around the tree. Try using a baby pen or gate, or anything that will act as a fence around the tree.

Whilst this may not be the most attractive solution, it’s the easiest way to keep out nosey pets.

Again, this may not be the most attractive solution or one you’d pictured when decorating your tree, but for some reason foil is generally disliked by dogs (and cats). You can try making a tin foil skirt for your tree to deter your pooch from getting too close. It’s also a great ‘alarm system’ because you can hear if your pooch is brazen enough to walk across it. If your dog tries to eat the foil, please remove it immediately as foil can be harmful when ingested.

Dogs love to chew cords, and the cords hanging off your tree are a big temptation. Ensure your cords are tucked away and as hidden from view as possible. Tape down any exposed cords to remove them from view (and cheeky chompers).

Hanging edible decorations on your tree and telling your pooch to stay away, would be like going to a buffet and then being told you can’t eat the food. Avoid using edible decorations like popcorn, chocolate, or candy canes.

Having a live tree is not as common in Australia as it is overseas, however, some households still opt for a real Christmas tree. The needles that fall off a real tree can cause all sorts of mouth and digestive damage.