Top tips for a dog-proof Christmas tree

Decking your halls, dusting off your baubles and draping tinsel around the doorways are all rituals bound to get your home looking its festive-best. And of course the star of the show: your Christmas tree - it’s a staple of any holiday living room, the perfect backdrop for nights in watching Christmas films and snuggling up with your furry friends. 

But, what happens when Fido hops off the sofa, and over to your tree for a sniff, or worse - a scuffle? Well to avoid accidents happening and keep your precious pet family safe and sound, we’re here with tips for a dog-proof Christmas tree, as admittedly, Christmas trees and dogs aren’t exactly a match made in puppy heaven. 

And if you’re welcoming a pet sitter this Christmas, you’ll probably want to make sure you’ve got a pet-proof Christmas tree as well, so you can rest safe in the knowledge that your little buddy is kept pine cone-free while you’re away. So, without further ado, let’s get into it…

Make sure your base is sturdy

A dog-proof Christmas tree isn’t as difficult as it sounds, if you’ve got a sturdy base. And when it comes to a safe tree, it really is all about the base. If you can, make sure it’s wide-set, so less likely to wobble sideways and onto your furry friend. If you’ve got an artificial tree with a base that simply can’t be messed with, instead anchor your tree to the wall with string or a fishing line to make sure it stays in place when your pup brushes past (or takes a leap at it!).

Decorate after a few days

Another way to ​​dog-proof your Christmas is to leave your tree bare for a few days before hanging the decorations. Any pet parent will know that our furry friends are nothing if they’re not creatures of habit, and any new objects in your home will take a little while for their canine brains to adjust to. So, put up your (sturdy-based, well-anchored) tree and give it a few days before you start hanging your baubles and weaving around your fairy lights.

Decorate out of your dog’s reach

Now comes the fun part: decorating your tree! It’s one of the most wholesome rituals of December - and it can also be an opportunity to dog-proof your Christmas tree (before you spend hours debating the placement of those baubles!). Any friend of the furry persuasion will know that dogs are curious creatures, so if your pooch is prone to chewing and grabbing hanging objects (which, let’s face it, most of them are), hang your decorations out of their reach. And if you’re wondering how to keep dogs from chewing on Christmas lights, either weave them out of their way or don’t use them at all - you certainly don’t want any electric shocks on your hands!

Keep toxic plants out of the way

If you’re after a more natural vibe on the Christmas decorations front this year, you might be thinking about decorating your tree with festive plants leftover from your wreath. While this is undeniably a lovely idea, be cautious, as both holly and mistletoe are toxic to dogs.

Get a tree skirt

If this is the first time you’ve heard of a tree skirt before, welcome to a whole new world. And just to clarify, this isn’t for you to wear - rather, it’s a top dog proof Christmas tree hack. Tree skirts cover the base of your Christmas tree, covering up any far from festive synthetic bases, keeping curious pets away from the (sometimes toxic) soil. And as you’ll know, wires and pets don’t go hand-in-hand, so if you can’t ditch the fairy lights, a tree skirt is a great way to tuck in any dangling wires before they’re plugged into the wall.

Opt for ribbon over wire

Sparkly baubles, shiny ornaments and twinkling Christmas keepsakes can be real head turners for our canine friends. So, should the worst happen and they do manage to nab one from your tree, avoid injuries by swapping out wire for ribbon for hanging them up.

Choose large ornaments

There’s nothing that’ll completely stop your pup from pawing at your Christmas tree and teasing down the decoration they’ve had their keen eyes on. So, should they successfully get their paws on a decoration or two, avoid all choking hazards by making sure your decorations are nice and large.

Save the snacks for your plate

We know that gingerbread people and hanging chocolates make the perfect Christmas tree decorations, but having a pet proof Christmas tree means having a snack-free one. So, if you’re wondering how to keep your dog away from your Christmas tree this year, remove as much temptation as you can by keeping your festive snacks for your plate, and your plate only!

The vacuum is your best friend

While most Christmas trees aren’t toxic to dogs or cats, they can still be pretty dangerous if you’re not vigilant with the vacuum cleaner. Fallen needles are pretty bad news for your pet family - pine and other needles can easily get stuck in their paws, irritate their mouths and cause digestive punctures. To avoid a sea of needles, keep your tree well-watered or simply opt for a fake tree to save Fido the pain and you the trouble.

Opt for a mini tree

A fully dog-proof Christmas tree might not exist (those curious canines can get up to all sorts when they put their minds to it), but there are other options. If you’re wondering how to protect the Christmas tree from your dog (and vice versa), why not opt for a mini tree this year? Simply prop it on a shelf or table, way out of your pup’s reach, and decorate it as normal.

Dog-safe decorations

When creating your best version of a pet-proof Christmas tree, making sure your Christmas tree decorations are dog-friendly is pretty key (unless your tree is completely out of reach). Along with their size (to avoid choking hazards), there are also other things to consider. Avoid salt dough, metal hooks, tinsel, glass, and just about anything edible, and instead go for plush decorations, Christmas cards, and larger plastic ornaments.

Related article: Dog Christmas decorations fit for your (canine) king

Place gifts around the tree at the last minute

As tempting as it is to showcase your top-notch wrapping skills throughout December, it’s not the best idea with pets around. As well as potentially ripping open your hard work, presents are also a (rather precarious) step that many a pup will be brave enough to stand on to reach the bauble, wire or chocolate treat they’ve been eyeing up. Instead, save the presents for Christmas morning as afterall, Santa drops them off on Christmas Eve!

Section-off your tree

If a half-decorated pet-proof Christmas tree without any tempting snacks swinging from the branches doesn’t sound like your cup of cocoa, we get it. Instead, decorate your (real or fake) Christmas tree as normal, and simply corden it off with a Christmas tree dog fence, or a Christmas tree gate for dogs.

Dog training

And finally, as much as you pet-proof your Christmas tree, your best bet is to train your pooch to turn a blind eye to it. Whether you’re into real Christmas trees or synthetic, get your pup well-adjusted to the ​​holiday season, decorations and all the festivities from puppyhood.

After more ways to pet-proof your Christmas?

It might be the most wonderful time of the year for many of us, but Christmas does pose a whole host of risks for our furry friends. Avoid any harm coming to your precious pet family with these tips on keeping pets safe over Christmas.