Here’s How To “Pet Proof” Your Christmas Tree
If you have pets in the house and they can’t resist the urge to sniff around the Christmas tree then you will be interested in “Pet Proofing” it to avoid any disasters. Especially if you have rambunctious cats that are so curious about this amazing piece of the outdoors that is bright and shiny and waiting for them to sink their claws into.
For dogs, it’s no so much about climbing as much as it about tipping over while rough housing or perhaps reaching for a tempting ornament. Pets and Christmas trees can be a bad combo.
Here are four tips to keep your dog or cat safe this month
1. Get an artificial tree instead of a real one. Fake trees don’t have the same appealing scent, and they don’t shed. Which is good, because pine needles can cause diarrhea and other issues if eaten. Not to mention how much money you will save over time by not purchasing a real tree every year.
2. Put the fragile ornaments on higher branches. And attach ornaments with ribbons or twist ties to make them more difficult to knock down. Those metal hangers can become a choking hazard if your dog or cat tries to eat them. You love those sentimental ornaments and the best way to take care of them is to keep them away from pets.
3. Use cord covers or organizers to keep electrical wires out of sight. Pets may try to chew on the wires or can get caught on them, knocking the tree over. And always keep the lights OFF if you’re not home. This could also help prevent a hazardous tree fire, which are incredibly scary.
4. Cover the water container. And if you’re still not confident your dog or cat will leave the tree alone, put up a pen or fencing around the base of the tree to add an extra layer of protection. This could be very toxic to your pet, so be sure to avoid having them drink it all costs.
The 5 Things That Will Kill a Christmas Tree
5. The Family Cat
Cats love everything about Christmas trees, the lights, the dangling ornaments and especially the tall ones they climb all the way to the tippety top! A big cat that can climb to the top of your tree can take it crashing down breaking ornaments and limbs. The damage to the tree may be enough to render it useless so find a way to keep your kitty far from it.
. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
4. Forgetting to water
Forgetting to water it. The general rule is Christmas trees soak up one quart of water a day for every inch in diameter the trunk is. So if the trunk is four inches across, that’s a gallon of water every day.
(Photo Illustration by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
3. Too close to a heat source
Putting it too close to a heat source. Heaters and radiators can dry it out fast, and then it’s a fire hazard. The best place for a tree is near a door or window, where it might get some fresh air once in a while.
(Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
2. Planting it in dirt
Planting it in dirt. (???) Kids might wonder why we put Christmas trees in water, not dirt. The answer again is its pores. Like flowers, you’re just trying to keep it alive as long as possible. And dirt would clog things up.
1. Forgetting to cut the bottom
Forgetting to cut an inch or two off the trunk before you set it up. A fresh cut opens the tree’s pores, so it can soak up more water. If you don’t do it, they’ll be blocked by sap, and the tree won’t last long. It takes less than three hours for dried sap to block the pores again once its cut.
(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
