Dogs and Christmas Decorations 2022: These are 10 ways to keep your adorable dog safe and stop them from destroying decorations 🐶
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and – if we haven’t already – most of us will be putting up the traditional decorations over the coming days.
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From vibrant Christmas trees covered in brightly-coloured baubles and twinkling tinsel to Santa’s stockings and the presents within, your dog will probably view your festive decorations as perfectly irresistible playthings.
But dogs and decorations don’t always mix – putting them at risk of illness or destruction respectively.
The team at pet food experts tails.com have put together a list of ways to protect your decorations from dog-related damages, your dog from decoration-related damage, and help your baubles survive until Boxing Day at least.
Like tinsel, garlands could be a tempting plaything for your pup, especially if you opt for the natural garlands over the paper or plastic alternative. Some garlands will come with electric lights weaved through them, which presents an extra hazard for your dog, as they could get electrocuted if they attempt to chew through these wires. Try hanging your garlands from as high a place as possible. As well as high shelves and mantlepiece, you may also want to try hanging your garlands in a pattern across your ceiling. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
We all know how greedy our pups can be, and while tasty treats like candy canes and chocolate Santas may have your dog drooling in delight, they will also make them very sick if they do get hold of them. If your dog is particularly fond of food, then the best idea might be to not put anything edible on your tree at all. Although, if you really want to treat any children in the family to some treats off the tree, place them out of reach from your dog. Likewise, if you have an advent calendar or two in the house in the run-up to Christmas, keep them out of your dog’s reach on a high shelf, or better yet, firmly attached to a high position on your wall. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
While a huge pile of presents underneath the tree is one of the most special sights at Christmas, our excitable pups may be tricked into thinking that the presents are all for them, especially if some of the gifts contain food. Not only will your dog tearing into other people’s Christmas presents cause a few tears on Christmas morning, but any gifts that contain things like chocolate, alcohol or batteries can make your dog incredibly sick should they accidentally digest them. Avoid storing your presents under the tree until Christmas Eve at the very earliest. This will reduce the likelihood of your pup ruining your presents before the big day arrives. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
We all want everything to look perfect on Christmas morning, so the last thing you want is one of Santa’s stockings to be covered in doggy drool, bite-marks and fur. If you can, keep your dog out of whichever room you keep your stockings in on Christmas Eve night. You might even consider fitting a lock to the door, if your pup likes to explore the house at night. A locked door may also help to keep out any over-eager children, keen on finally catching Santa in the act this year, giving you peace of mind this Yuletide. Photo: Canva/Getty Images