Do you always eagerly look forward to decorating your Christmas tree? Or does your pet force you to regularly repeat the process throughout the festive season. Learn how to render your Christmas tree pet-proof below.
Once you have chosen your tree, find the perfect spot for it. Choose a spot close to the wall, and preferably away from the sofa or chairs. This should reduce the probability of the tree toppling over, while perhaps also dissuading your pet from to jumping into it. You may also opt to secure the tree to the wall or ceiling. It may prove quite convenient to raise your tree off the floor a little, by placing it on a pedestal or stool for example.
While decorating your tree, ensure that the wire connecting the lights is well concealed, so your pet doesn’t gnaw or get caught up in it. Also hang your decorations a bit higher up in the tree, so that your pet cannot reach them easily. This may benefit both the tree and your pet.
Use largely soft or unbreakable items for decoration. Also avoid hanging anything edible in the tree, as it may just prove toxic to your pet. Nor is the use of angel hair advisable, as many pets are allergic to it. Use plastic or wooden ornaments for the tree, for example, as these are generally sturdier. Once you have chosen the right kind of decorations, hang them slightly higher up the tree, to keep them out of your pet’s reach.
While the tree is often the centrepiece, presents are also a vital part of Christmas tradition. These are usually conveniently arranged beneath the tree, ready to be opened on Christmas morning. Gifts in colourful wrapping are also highly appealing to pets of course, and they may view them as playthings. You may prefer to avoid this by selecting a spot for the presents that is inaccessible to your pet, while nevertheless clearly displaying their decorative appearance.
Another tip is to initially leave your Christmas tree undecorated in the living room for a few days, allowing your pet to get accustomed to it. Pets generally lose interest in unfamiliar objects within just a few days. This approach often helps reduce the risk of your pet wrecking the decorated tree.
