The Holidays are an exciting time for the whole family, including your pets. Hazelview Properties wants to help make sure every member of the family has a happy holiday. Here are some tips for how to keep your dog away from your Christmas presents, and your tree.
Go Bare and Artificial
Pine needles may not be toxic to you pet, but they are sharp and can cause discomfort if ingested. An artificial tree may be less interesting to your pet. When you first set up your tree, leave it bare for a few days. This will give you pet time to investigate this curious addition to home and quickly lose interest in it, even when it becomes adorned with lights and bobbles.
No Low Lights
Once your dog has lost interest in your bare, artificial tree, it’s time to decorate it. To help your furry friend avoid temptation, and possible electric shock, make sure not to string any lights on the lower branches. Keeping things out of sight will help keep them out of mind for your pet. Hide any electrical cords running to or from the tree under a tree skirt, or use adhesive-backed cord clips to keep them out of reach of curious snouts.
Christmas Tree Security
To make sure your tree is secure, invest in a sturdy tree stand. For a second layer of tree security, you may want to rig up a homemade low-tech Xmas tree security system. Simply place aluminum cans filled with some dry beans, or noisy metal bolts, on the bottom limbs of the tree. If your pooch starts nosing around the bottom of the tree, they’ll sound the rattle-y alarm. Remember to keep fragile ornaments up in the higher branches.
Take a Pass on Edible Ornaments
Strings of popcorn, candy canes or anything else that can be seen as an enticing and tasty treat should be left off of your tree. Also, don’t store gifts of chocolate, even when it is wrapped, under your tree. If a brightly coloured tree that grew treats on and under its branches suddenly appeared in your living room, you’d probably want to investigate too!
Pretty Plants can be Poison
Mistletoe, Holly and Poinsettias are all potentially poison to your pets. If you decorate with these plants, make sure to keep them well out of reach of your four-legged friend. Nobody likes to be sick during the Holidays.
Happy Holidays from Hazelview Properties! We hope these tips and tricks protect your pet, presents, and tree this Christmas.
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