Many would say that their favorite part of the holiday season is the decorations around their homes. We, at Petlox, would agree. There is something magical that comes into the air when a Christmas tree is dressed or a menorah is lit. However, if you have a pet who gets around the house freely and tends to explore, you might want to keep these pointers in mind when decorating this season.
Follow along for some pet-safe holiday decor tips and pointers!
Mistletoe and holly are essential to Christmas decor and their natural aroma immediately triggers nostalgia. However, they are highly poisonous for pets if ingested. To be safe, you might want to go for artificial versions instead of the actual plants. To achieve the aroma, we recommend incorporating essential oils or candles around your home.
Speaking of candles, be strategic about where you choose to place them. The last thing you need in 2020 is a fire started by a wagging tail that knocked your favorite candle over. Place your lit candles or menorah on taller surfaces or pick up some battery operated options to create that warm ambiance.
Next: stockings! There are two things to keep in mind here: first, make sure the stockings are hung from hooks that are secured onto the wall or chimney and not from a heavyweight holder that can fall when pulled by your dog (as this can result in an injury). Second, when it comes to stocking stuffers, be careful not to pack in delicious treats that may entice your pet to sniff and pull on the stocking. Save all that good stuff for Christmas morning!
Finally, let’s talk about your beautiful Christmas tree. If you have an active pet at home, you might want to secure your tree to the ceiling or the walls around it by barely visible guide-wires so it doesn’t topple over from your excited four-legged family members. When it comes to decorating your tree, hang your precious, fragile ornaments closer to the top of the tree so it is out of reach from your pets. Also, try to steer clear of edible decorations. It may be your tradition to create strings of popcorn or candy as tree decorations, but our pets don’t necessarily see them as decorations. They see them as what they are…treats!
We hope some of these tips and tricks will be helpful to you and your household members this holiday season. We’re always here to help so if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us through email at [email protected], or via Instagram direct message. Happy decorating!