Dogs and Christmas Trees: Keep Your Dog Safe at Christmas

The festive season is coming, and many dog owners worldwide are wondering whether dogs and Christmas trees are compatible. From toxic hazards to safety measures, decorating a Christmas tree brings numerous challenges.

You are in the right place if you can’t imagine holidays without shiny baubles hanging from a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. 

Are Christmas trees poisonous to dogs? What should you do if your dog has chewed on pines? Keep reading to find the answers to these and many more questions.

Are Christmas Trees Toxic to Dogs?

Generally, most types of Christmas trees are not toxic to dogs. However, their oils and pines can pose a danger. For example, pine needles can quickly drop on the floor, where your dog will likely pick them up. This can lead to stomach issues, even a stomach blockage.

Pro tip: Consider teaching your dog the ”Drop It” command or the “Off” cue to keep them safe when they pick up hazardous objects off the floor.

Another possible source of toxins is fertilized water. Fertilized water containing preservatives and other chemicals is popular for preserving Christmas trees longer. Such fertilizing substances, bacteria, and mold can be poisonous for dogs, so ensure they don’t have free access to a water container.

Can Dogs Eat Christmas Trees?

Whether your dog is interested in tasting a Christmas tree depends on their personality, temperament, and age. Puppies are notorious for their attempts to explore the environment with their mouths. Even the best-trained pets can occasionally fall into the temptation of trying to eat some pines.

Besides needles and fertilized water, a Christmas tree poses other risks to your dog's health.

Ensure your dog doesn’t try to eat:

• Hooks:

Avoid using traditional hooks for hanging Christmas decorations. When swallowed, they can lead to severe throat or intestines injuries.

• Ornaments:

Using any edible ornaments is terrible since your dog may try to knock over the tree to eat it. This often results in various types of injuries, and if your dog eats an ornament made from toxic chemicals, it can lead to poisoning or even lethal consequences.

Are Dogs Allergic to Christmas Trees?

Unfortunately, research regarding Christmas tree allergies is limited. However, there is anecdotal evidence of Christmas trees being a catalyst for seasonal allergy flare-ups in some dogs. There have been reports of Christmas tree syndrome in canines.

Scientists agree that the problem isn't the tree itself. When setting up a Christmas tree, you bring pollen, dust, mold, and/or additives from tree farms into the house. Inhaling and close contact with these substances can cause eye and skin irritation in pets sensitive to seasonal allergies.

If you suspect your dog's allergy to the Christmas tree is causing it, track how severe the symptoms are when the tree is inside.

The allergy typically develops a few days after you put up the tree when it grows spores. Also, the symptoms should alleviate in January when you remove the tree. 

Finally, contact your vet to discuss the problem. Remember, allergy treatment is a continuous process that you should start as early as possible. Keeping a journal of symptoms can be highly beneficial in determining the cause of allergic reactions.

Safety Tips for Puppy and Christmas Tree

We’ve already determined that a puppy and a Christmas tree can be a bad match. Not only the pines potentially cause problems. Various shiny decorations you use can be problematic, too. Since keeping a puppy under your supervision all the time is unrealistic, we suggest physically limiting the puppy’s access to the tree.

How to keep a puppy safe around a Christmas tree:

Display the tree on a table

Though a big Christmas tree is lovely, having an energized puppy in your place can make this an issue. Removing the tree from the floor is better, so setting up a smaller one on your table is practical for keeping Christmas tree and dogs under the same roof. 

Use exercise pens

These foldable fences have numerous advantages. You can move them to any location in your house and shape them how you want. The most common way of deploying exercise pens is to use them to circle the tree around its base. If you want, you can remove the fence when the puppy is out of the room.  

Install a white picket fence

This is a practical and more aesthetic alternative to an exercise pen that will safeguard the tree from your puppy. You can also paint it another color to match your interior. Zip-tie the sections and place them around the base. This prevents any chewing on the pine trees or eating tinsel. 

Increase environmental enrichment

To decrease your dog's curiosity about the new "toy," you can give them some sticks to chew, a new interactive toy, and fill it with treats. If they're entertained by the fun activities you give them, they'll most likely forget about the tree.

Enhance supervision

This season, your dog should only be allowed in the room with the three if they're supervised. Don't leave them alone with access to the tree because you can't control the situation, and if they get bored, they'll have fun with the new "toy."

Entertain your dog while you're putting up the Christmas tree

if you're putting up the tree and fighting with your dog because they want to be part of the process, you're just stimulating their curiosity about it. To ensure this process is fun for everyone, give the dog their favorite toy or chew snack and let them be in the room and see the whole process.

Wrap Up

Christmas trees and dogs aren’t always compatible. Chewing on decorations, eating tinsel, or knocking over the tree are common occurrences in households with furry friends.

However, you can take some precautions to ensure your dog’s safety. If installed correctly, a holiday decorations and tree will not be dangerous to your dog and will only bring positive emotions to all family members during the holiday season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are flocked Christmas trees toxic to dogs?

Flocking isn’t dangerous for pets unless they eat it. Ensure your dog can’t reach flocked branches. Flocking poisoning can cause upset stomach, vomiting, and drowsiness in a dog.

Are real Christmas trees safe for dogs?

Pines are generally safe for dogs; chewing them can cause stomach issues, and stepping on one can injure a dog’s paw. Some dogs may develop allergic reactions to spores, dust, and mold on a tree.

Are fake Christmas trees toxic to dogs?

Fake Christmas trees pose fewer risks for a dog since their pines are softer and don’t contain mold, spores, or oils that trigger allergies. But if eaten, fake trees can provoke choking or obstruction in a dog’s gastrointestinal tract.