Blogging Around the Christmas Tree: Christmas PetCare

The Christmas tree. Centre-piece of festive joy, fairy lights, and questionable decorating decisions made at midnight with a glass of wine in hand.

To dogs and cats, however, the Christmas tree is something else entirely. A climbing frame. A snack dispenser. A suspicious indoor forest that has suddenly appeared where the sofa used to be.

So, in the spirit of festive harmony, here’s a gentle guide to Christmas tree related risks for pets, and how to enjoy the season without an emergency dash to the vet.

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The tree itself: friend or foe?

Real Christmas trees are mildly toxic to pets. The oils in pine, fir and spruce can irritate mouths and stomachs if needles are chewed, and sharp needles can cause sore gums or vomiting.

Most pets won’t eat enough to cause serious harm, but a dog with a talent for hoovering, or a cat who enjoys nibbling greenery, may end up with drooling, retching or an upset tummy.

Artificial trees are not automatically safer. Plastic needles can be swallowed and cause gut irritation or, in rare cases, blockages. If your dog believes everything is food until proven otherwise, supervision matters either way.

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The water bowl of doom

The water at the base of a real tree is surprisingly appealing to pets. Unfortunately, it can contain fertilisers, preservatives, or bacteria from stagnant water.

This festive cocktail can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, or lethargy. A covered tree stand, or placing the tree somewhere pets can’t access the water, is a simple but very worthwhile step.

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Decorations: dangling invitations

Tinsel was invented purely to test cat owners. Shiny, floaty, impossible to resist.

The problem is that tinsel, ribbon, and string are classic causes of linear foreign bodies. If swallowed, they can bunch up inside the gut and cause serious damage. This often requires surgery, and never features on anyone’s Christmas wish list.

Baubles also deserve a mention. Glass decorations shatter easily and can cause mouth injuries or cut paws. Wooden or fabric ornaments tend to be much more pet friendly, and still look lovely.

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Lights, cables, and festive electrocution risks

Fairy lights are magical. Chewed fairy lights are less so.

Puppies and kittens are particularly prone to cable chewing, and a bitten wire can cause burns to the mouth or worse. Keep cables well hidden, use cord protectors, and switch lights off when you’re not around to supervise.

If your pet is eyeing the plug like a chew toy, intervention is strongly advised.

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The climbing cat scenario

Cats and Christmas trees have a complicated relationship.

Many cats view the tree as an indoor assault course, complete with blinking lights and birds (decorative ones, but still). Anchoring the tree securely and avoiding placing it near furniture that allows a launchpad approach can reduce the chances of a full tree collapse at 3am.

Yes, this happens. Often.

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Food fallout beneath the branches

Christmas trees have a habit of becoming a drop zone for festive snacks. Chocolate wrappers, mince pie crumbs, raisins, and bits of rich food all seem to migrate under the branches.

Remember that chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, and many festive foods are toxic to dogs, and rich leftovers can trigger pancreatitis. A quick daily sweep under the tree is a surprisingly effective safety measure.

A calmer Christmas for everyone

The goal isn’t to remove all joy from Christmas. It’s simply to make small adjustments so your pet doesn’t turn festive cheer into a medical drama.

Secure the tree, choose decorations with care, keep an eye on cables and water bowls, and accept that your cat may still try to climb it anyway.

If you’re ever unsure whether something your pet has eaten or chewed is a problem, do get in touch with your vet for advice. We’d much rather reassure you than see you on Christmas Day with a dog full of tinsel.

From all of us, wishing you a calm, cosy, and mostly needle free Christmas.