If you've got a curious pooch on your hands, you might be wondering if you can have a Christmas tree with a dog. I’m a qualified behaviorist and have helped several pup parents to dog-proof their houses and trees.
Christmas is a fun time for the family, and your doggo naturally wants to join in with all the excitement. But, if your dog is young, energetic, and loves jumping up, you might be worried about them getting wrapped up in the tree. There are plenty of other ways for your dog to get involved with the festivities, from buying them the best dog advent calendar to giving them a special gift.
Here are my top tips for having a Christmas tree with a dog:
Can you have a Christmas tree with a dog?
Yes, you can have a Christmas tree with a dog, but following a few simple safety precautions is advisable. Some pups might eat pine tree needles or they could get stuck in their paws. If possible, consider getting an artificial tree so there’s no risk of your dog ingesting them.
How do you make a Christmas tree dog-proof?
It’s not difficult to make your Christmas tree dog-proof — here are some of the best tips to keep them safe:
1. Put the tree away from high-traffic areas
Place the tree in a corner of a room where your dog isn’t alone for long periods. If your pup has a Christmas zoomie moment, he won’t run into the tree and hurt himself.
2. Cover the tree stand
Cover or hide the tree stand so your dog cannot reach it.
3. Hide electric wires
If you have tree lights, cover the electric cables or use a barrier so your pup cannot get close to the wires. It’s a vital step for your dog’s safety, particularly if your floofer has a history of chewing.
4. Prevent the tree from tipping over
Your nosy pup could easily knock over the Christmas tree with his enthusiasm. Ornaments could break, or your furry friend could get tangled in the tree lights. Consider adding weight to the base or, if possible, secure it to the floor.
5. Create a barrier
Use a tree skirt or pet gate so your dog can’t get access to the Christmas tree. Clear the pine needles daily, as some could fall outside the barrier. In addition, check your pup’s paws for pine needles.
6. Avoid chocolate tree decorations
We have about six million olfactory receptors in our noses, but your dog has around 300 million, which makes anything edible just too tempting! Your pup will sniff out chocolate decorations and not know they could be harmful.
7. Avoid choking hazards
Tinsel and other tree decorations could be a choking hazard for your furry friend. Put breakable ornaments up high. Buy shatterproof ornaments for further peace of mind.
8. Use a pet deterrent
You can use a pet-safe bitter spray around the tree's base to deter your woofer from getting too close.
9. Use an indoor camera
Install a motion-activated indoor camera that will alert you if your furry friend is on a mission to explore the Christmas tree. The best pet cameras are helpful for any time of the year, especially at Christmas.
10. Choose a non-toxic tree
Pine, spruce, and fir trees are non-toxic and suitable for your four-legged friend. Ideally, an artificial tree is better as it lowers the risk of them eating pine needles (and saves you a cleaning job!)
11. Supervise your dog
It’s best not to leave your dog alone with the Christmas tree, even if he has shown no interest in it when you are present. Ideally, place the tree in a room where the dog doesn’t spend alone time.
Why do dogs love Christmas trees?
Dogs are naturally curious and want to explore this new sparkly addition to your home. They like the exciting smells of pine and perhaps edible decorations, and the glittery tinsel and lights. Sometimes, a Christmas tree is just too tempting for a pup.
You can teach your dog to keep away from the Christmas tree with a 'leave' command. It’s easy to train and could keep your pup out of trouble on many occasions, such as when he discovers smelly, decomposing stuff out on a walk, which, as we all know, seems like a top restaurant delicacy to him.
Are pine needles poisonous to dogs?
Although pine needles aren’t poisonous to dogs, they do pose significant risks because they're sharp. If your furry friend ingests a number of them, it can cause irritation of the lining of his intestines and make your pet poorly, causing vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Pine needles can also get stuck in their paws.
You might also want to learn how to cat-proof Christmas trees.
