To you, it's a beautifully decorated room. To your dog, it's a whole new collection of things to investigate.
A dangling ornament looks a lot like a ball. A wrapped food gift still smells delicious. And that tree just appeared in the spot where your dog usually takes an afternoon nap.
You can keep the holiday feeling and make the setup more dog-friendly. Start with a walk through each room at your dog's level, then use this checklist before the decorations go up and as your plans change. No arrangement is completely dog-proof, so choose barriers and supervision that fit the dog you actually have.
Living Room: Start With the Tree
- Choose a stable location. Keep the tree away from your dog's usual play route. Use a sturdy stand and secure the tree so an enthusiastic bump is less likely to tip it.
- Block access to the tree stand. Keep the water inaccessible. Stagnant water and additives can make pets ill.
- Leave the lower branches simple. Put fragile ornaments and loose hooks well beyond reach. Shatter-resistant decorations can still break or be swallowed, so they are not dog toys.
- Skip tinsel and edible decorations. Choose a look that doesn't rely on tempting strings, popcorn garlands, candy canes or salt-dough ornaments. Salt dough can cause serious salt poisoning if eaten.
- Pick up fallen needles and pieces. Make a floor check part of your morning routine.
These risks are covered in the ASPCA's holiday safety guide and the FDA's advice on holiday hazards.
DogTuff setup tip: A properly installed pet gate or exercise barrier can help keep a curious dog away. Leave enough distance that your dog cannot reach through it to the tree, ornaments or cords. If your dog jumps, climbs or pushes through barriers, use a closed room instead. Check the setup while you're there before relying on it.
Windows and Walls: Follow Every Light Cord
Holiday lights add cords in places that usually don't have them. Chewing electrical wiring can cause burns or electrocution, and chewed batteries can cause chemical burns, as Cornell's canine holiday-safety guide explains.
- Route cords and power strips where your dog cannot reach them. Avoid dangling loops and cords crossing a dog bed or walking route.
- Inspect light strings before decorating and stop using damaged ones.
- Unplug decorative lights when you're away or asleep, while still keeping cords inaccessible.
- Secure battery compartments on flameless candles and decorations. Store spare batteries and remote controls in a closed drawer.
Take a second look after moving furniture. A cord that was hidden yesterday may be easy to reach today.
Mantel and Tables: Think Beyond Tail Height
A tabletop may be within easy reach of a large dog, and a low-hanging garland can turn a high display into something a dog can pull down.
- Use flameless candles where practical. Keep them out of reach, too. If you use real candles, never leave them unattended and keep pets away from the flame.
- Skip loose, trailing decorations. Keep garlands and stocking ties away from curious mouths, and secure heavy stocking holders where they cannot be pulled down.
- Check every plant. Holly and mistletoe can make dogs ill. Poinsettias generally cause irritation rather than the severe poisoning they're often blamed for, but they still belong out of reach. Identify arrangements using the ASPCA's plant database.
- Keep breakables secure. Snow globes belong somewhere pets cannot knock them down. Some contain toxic ethylene glycol, so treat a leak or breakage as a reason to keep pets away and seek advice if exposure is possible.
Faux greenery removes a plant-toxicity concern, but plastic berries, wire and fabric pieces can still be swallowed. Keep artificial arrangements out of reach as well. See VCA's holiday-toxin guide for more on plants and snow globes.
Gift Corner: Wrapping Doesn't Hide the Smell
Ask guests whether their gifts contain food before placing them under the tree. Chocolate, raisins and products containing xylitol need secure storage, not another layer of wrapping paper. Dog treats need putting away, too, rather than leaving a whole bag available for a self-serve feast.
- Store food gifts in a closed cabinet or dog-inaccessible room.
- Keep ribbon, twine, bows and gift tags away from your dog during wrapping.
- Have a lidded waste bin ready during gift opening and collect scraps as you go.
- Remove packaging, tags and ties before giving your dog a new toy.
The FDA warns that swallowed ribbons and string can seriously damage the stomach and intestines. They are worth clearing away even when the room is busy.
Your Dog's Corner: Make Room for Their Kind of Fun
Give your dog a comfortable spot away from the decorating activity, with familiar bedding and water. Keep their usual walks and mealtimes as consistent as you can, and let them take a break from visitors.
For a supervised activity, a suitably sized West Paw Toppl can hold some of your dog's usual food or an appropriate treat. Its inner ridges help hold food in place as your dog works for it.
Choose the size for your dog's mouth and play style. Inspect the toy, remove it if damaged and supervise use. No toy is indestructible, and an enrichment toy doesn't replace a barrier or an adult keeping an eye on your dog.
The Two-Minute Check Before You Leave or Go to Bed
- Are the tree, water and decorations inaccessible?
- Are lights unplugged and cords still out of reach?
- Are all candles extinguished?
- Are food gifts, batteries and wrapping scraps put away?
- Is your dog settled in a comfortable area without access to the decorations?
Repeat the check after visitors arrive, presents are opened or furniture is moved. Holiday rooms change quickly.
If Your Dog Eats a Decoration
Call your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic promptly if you know or suspect your dog swallowed a decoration, battery, string or potentially toxic item. Don't wait for symptoms. Breathing trouble, collapse or seizures need emergency veterinary care immediately.
For suspected poisoning in the U.S., ASPCA Poison Control is available 24/7 at (888) 426-4435; a consultation fee may apply. Save the packaging or take a photo of the item, and note the approximate amount and time of exposure.
Don't induce vomiting or give home remedies unless a veterinarian or animal poison-control professional directs you to. Pet Poison Helpline's emergency instructions explain why getting professional guidance comes first. If string is hanging from your dog's mouth or rear end, do not pull it; seek veterinary care.
A few thoughtful changes leave more room for the good part: enjoying the holidays together, with a happy dog close by.
Happy holidays from the DogTuff Pack!
This article offers general safety information and is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
