How to protect a Christmas tree from pets

The installation of a Christmas tree is a landmark event for the whole family. However, if there are cats or dogs in the house, for them an elegant tree is an object for games and research, which can lead to a spoiled holiday. Following simple rules will help keep the Christmas tree and the animals healthy. Izvestia tells how to prevent damage to the Christmas tree and ensure the safety of pets during the New Year holidays.

Which Christmas tree should I choose — artificial or live

Choosing the type of Christmas tree is the first step towards a safe holiday. Both options have their risks. Live spruce exudes a persistent coniferous aroma, especially attractive to cats. If the needles fall off, they can enter the gastrointestinal tract of the animal and cause injury.

Artificial wood, devoid of smell, is psychologically less interesting for a pet. But here it is worth paying attention to the quality of the product. The material from which it is made must be non-toxic, as some animals may try it on their teeth.

How and with what to decorate a Christmas tree

Garlands and shiny toys also require special attention. When choosing jewelry, it is necessary to abandon glass and fragile elements in favor of unbreakable analogues: plastic, wood or fabric.

The decor should be placed in the upper and middle parts of the tree, leaving the lower branches empty. It is recommended to attach the toys themselves not on hooks, but on tight, reliable ties or wire, which are difficult to tear off with a paw.

Garlands should only be turned on under supervision. For safety, it is better to fix the wires along the trunk or wall using ties and hide them in special protective boxes.

A veterinarian has warned of the dangers of Christmas decorations for pets

It is not worth using:

• decorations with food flavors, for example, gingerbread;
• decorative snow and cotton wool;
• tinsel and foam decor;
• spray the Christmas tree with household chemicals and perfumes.

How to ensure the stability of the Christmas tree

Once the spruce and decor are selected, it is important to prevent the tree from falling. A standard stand is often not enough for this. For outdoor installation, experts recommend giving preference to the widest and heaviest stand. Additional stability will be provided by fixing the crown of the Christmas tree to the wall or ceiling.

If puppies or active small breed dogs live in the house, installing a tree on a stable bedside table or table will be an effective solution. A reliable option would also be a hanging structure that can be mounted on brackets, or a spruce tree in a tub.

Other options:

• put the Christmas tree in a deep bucket with sand or stones, this method will reliably ensure the stability of the structure.;
• Use a sturdy stand with a water tank;
• fasten double-sided tape, foil or mats with a studded surface around the base of the spruce, they are unpleasant to paws and usually scare away animals well.

Veterinarians spoke about keeping pets safe for the New Year

How to keep a pet away from the Christmas tree

However, even if all the rules are followed, it is unlikely that you will be able to completely dissuade your pet from the tree. If the physical barriers don't work, you can use different techniques. Citrus scents, for example, work well as a deterrent for cats.

A few drops of essential oil of orange, lemon or tangerine should be applied to napkins and spread out under a tree. Sprays with the smell of apple or wormwood, which can be purchased at pet stores, have a similar effect.

For dogs that have completed a basic training course, practicing the "No" or "Place" commands can be effective. It is absolutely forbidden to shout at an animal or physically punish it, as well as to use folk remedies in the form of pepper or mustard, which lead to a burn of the mucous membrane, and loud noises, for example, from a vacuum cleaner or a hair dryer turned on.

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Organization of space

It is best to offer your pet an alternative to the Christmas tree. Next to the tree, at a safe distance, you can place objects that will redirect the animal's attention. These can be:

• new interactive toys;
• scratching post for cats;
• special chewable treats for dogs.

What to do if a pet drops a Christmas tree

If an incident does occur, it is important to act calmly and consistently. First of all, it is necessary to make sure that the animal is not injured. The pet should be examined for cuts, splinters, and injuries. If you can not cope on your own, you need to contact a veterinarian.

Before eliminating the consequences of the incident, the pet must be isolated in another room or in the kitchen and promptly collect the fragments, vacuum the needles, and check the integrity of the electric lights. After that, you can proceed with the re-installation of the tree, strengthening security measures.

Earlier, Izvestia told how to protect pets during the New Year holidays.

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