Creative Ways To Protect Your Christmas Trees From Cats, Dogs & Other Pets [VIDEO]

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CHRISTMAS DÉCOR FROM NOSY PETS
Pet-proof your home this holiday season with our tips on pet-friendly Christmas trees and other holiday decorations.

PROTECTING AND SECURING YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE FROM PLAYFUL PETS
KEEPING PETS AWAY FROM YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE AND ORNAMENTS

Small adjustments are all you need to keep your cats and dogs safe this holiday season. Here's a list of tips to use when putting up your Christmas décor:


1. TAKE YOUR PETS OUT OF THE ROOM WHEN DECORATING
Make sure your pets are out of sight while installing holiday decorations. Pets may think you're playing a game with the decorations when moving them around, which could encourage them to swat or pick at them later.

2. SELECT THE RIGHT LOCATION FOR YOUR TREES AND DÉCOR
Choose a location that is not cramped or beside any other fixture. This prevents cats from using your furniture as a jump-off point to get to your tree. Never place wreaths, swags, or other décor that can easily be swiped off in the middle of the coffee table. The best place for these items is hanging high on a wall or door.

You can also use MANTEL SWAGS instead of garlands to decorate your mantel, since these don't hang off the edges of the mantel.

Small adjustments are all you need to keep your cats and dogs safe this holiday season. Here's a list of tips to use when putting up your Christmas décor:

1. TAKE YOUR PETS OUT OF THE ROOM WHEN DECORATING
Make sure your pets are out of sight while installing holiday decorations. Pets may think you're playing a game with the decorations when moving them around, which could encourage them to swat or pick at them later.

2. SELECT THE RIGHT LOCATION FOR YOUR TREES AND DÉCOR
Choose a location that is not cramped or beside any other fixture. This prevents cats from using your furniture as a jump-off point to get to your tree. Never place wreaths, swags, or other décor that can easily be swiped off in the middle of the coffee table. The best place for these items is hanging high on a wall or door.

You can also use MANTEL SWAGS instead of garlands to decorate your mantel, since these don't hang off the edges of the mantel.

3. KEEP YOUR TREE STABLE
Make sure to use a strong and stable base for your tree. This significantly lowers the chances of it toppling over if brushed by a nosy pet. It's also a good idea to anchor your tree against a wall, if possible.

4. WRAP TIN FOIL AROUND THE TRUNK OF YOUR TREE
Cats and dogs are peeved whenever they brush against tin foil. Wrapping foil around your tree is an effective way to dissuade your pets from gnawing on or playing with the trunk.

5. MAKE YOUR TREE'S WATER CONTAINER INACCESSIBLE
Don't allow pets to drink from your tree's water container. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria that can harm pets if ingested. Use a receptacle that can be covered. If you can't locate a proper cover, simply hide the basin underneath the tree skirt.

6. REGULARLY CHECK YOUR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Check your Christmas lights for any loose bulbs or exposed wires prior to decorating. Ensuring that bulbs are securely fastened and wires properly covered will reduce the risk of accidental ingestion or electrocution.

7. USE A SHORT EXTENSION CORD
Pets love to play with long and tangled electrical wires, so opt to use a short extension cord with little slack when assembling your Christmas décor. Another smart tip is to tape wires down to the floor or against the wall to prevent pets from playing with loose and moveable sections. If possible, you should also hide all cord ends and sockets from your pets.

8. GET AN AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF EXTENSION
Consider using electrical cords that automatically shut off once they are damaged. This feature will help keep your pets safe from electrocution, should they start playing with and exposing live wires.

9. TURN OFF THE POWER WHEN YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE
Don't forget to turn off the power and close off your holiday-decorated rooms when you leave your home or go to bed. This guarantees your trees and ornaments will stay safe even when you're not around.

PROTECTING AND SECURING YOUR CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS FROM PLAYFUL PETS

1. KEEP YOUR EXPENSIVE ORNAMENTS TOWARDS THE TOP OF THE TREE

Hang expensive and precious adornments in the upper two-thirds section of the tree. Use the lower one-third section for shatter-proof pieces or for those pieces you can easily dispose of and replace, should an accident happen.

2. SECURE YOUR ORNAMENTS
Make sure your ornaments are attached securely to the tree branches. Form the metal hook of your ornament into a complete circle so that the ring clasps the tips of the branches.

3. THINK TWICE BEFORE FLOCKING YOUR TREE