14 Ways To Pet-Proof Your Holiday Decorations

If you’re a pet owner, then you know the holidays are a tough time to keep your pets from destroying your home. The holidays bring new decorations, smells, and plants into the house. While these items may be decorations to you, your pets may view them as toys, food, or simply something they must destroy. Luckily, there are several ways to keep your decorations safe from your pets this holiday season.

Some ways to pet-proof your house this holiday season include placing enticing decorations out of reach of your pets, securing your Christmas tree, and keeping wrapped gifts out of sight. Avoid hanging edible decorations, and keep your gingerbread house out of reach if you make one. Avoid using open flames, and keep your tree’s water bowl covered. Avoid bringing toxic plants into the home, and keep fragile decorations to a minimum.

Winter is a great time to cozy up with your pet and binge-watch corny holiday movies. Unfortunately, your pet’s idea of a good time might be ripping down all of your holiday decor. If you have a curious or hyper pet that you can’t trust around new things in the home, then keep reading. Below is a list of fantastic ways to pet-proof your home throughout the holiday season.

14 Ways To Pet-Proof Your Home This Holiday Season

1. Avoid Edible And Otherwise Enticing Decorations

One of the easiest ways to minimize catastrophes with decorations and your pet is to avoid hanging any overtly enticing objects. While there are many edible and scented ornaments and decor options you may want to buy, you should resist this urge. Anything that smells like food is likely to drive many pets wild.

Furthermore, anything that looks or smells like a toy should be hung out of reach, or not at all. As you hang each holiday item in your home, ask yourself whether or not your pet will want to play with it.

2. Don’t Bring Toxic Plants Into The Home

It’s crucial to remember that several plants are potentially very toxic to animals. Some of these plants are also holiday staples. You must be very careful not to bring any plants into your home that can make your pet sick.

One plant you should be particularly wary of is the poinsettia. These red and green plants are a symbol of Christmas, but they are also very toxic to several animals, especially dogs. Some evergreen plants contain toxic needles, so ensure you only bring safe and non-toxic plants, trees, and wreaths into your home. 

3. Add Barricades To Keep Pets Out Of Certain Spots

One way to protect your holiday decorations is to create a barrier between your pet and the objects you want to protect. Some practical ways to do this include rearranging the furniture for the holidays. Couches and ottomans make wonderful barriers.

You can also reposition tables or add baby gates around your tree to ensure your pet won’t knock anything over when you aren’t home.

4. Keep Ribbons And Tinsel To A Minimum

If you have a cat or an inquisitive dog, then it’s best to keep ribbons and tinsel to a minimum when decorating for Christmas. These objects tend to entice cats and some dog breeds. While ribbons and tinsel are popular this time of year, there’s a good chance they will end up on the ground and torn to shreds.

5. Keep All Decorations Out Of Reach

If you want a simple way to keep your decorations safe from your pets, then simply keep them out of reach. One great way to do this is to hang objects higher than usual. If you plan to drape garland, hang wreaths, and display winter arrangements, then choose a spot that dogs and cats can’t reach. Placing decorations high up allows everyone to see them and keeps them out of reach of animals.

6. No Open Flames (Including Candles)

Candlelight and fires add a warm ambiance during the holidays. Unfortunately, when you have a pet, open flames are rarely a good idea. Instead of using real candles this holiday season, opt for battery-operated flameless candles.

If you decide to light a fire, ensure your pet stays at a safe distance from the hearth. Never leave open flames unattended, especially if you have a curious pet.

7. Ensure Your Tree Is Stable

For those who celebrate Christmas, the Christmas tree is the pinnacle of all decorations. It is also usually the most expensive and sentimental. This is especially true after you factor in all the ornaments. To keep this vital decoration safe from your pet’s wrath, you must keep it stable and securely in place.

Opt to stage your tree in the corner of the room. A corner location prevents it from falling in most directions, and also maximizes space in your room. You can also use fishing line and other support methods to keep your tree securely upright.

8. Cover Your Christmas Tree’s Water Bowl

If you have a real Christmas tree, then it will require water and a watering bowl. These water bowls can quickly attract your dog or cat's curiosity. If your pet gets too close to the base of the tree, it may cause the entire thing to crash to the floor. To avoid this, keep your tree’s bowl covered, so your pet doesn’t notice it.

9. Make Certain Rooms Pet-Free During The Holidays

If you decorate some rooms more than others, then consider making your most festive rooms pet-free during the holiday season. For example, the room where you keep your Christmas tree and stockings is usually a good place to keep out your animals. Create a welcoming space for your pets in your bedroom or guest room, so they have an alternative sanctuary to enjoy while other rooms are off limits.

10. Avoid Hanging Fragile Ornaments

As you grow older, you will likely collect fragile and sentimental decorations and ornaments. While you will surely cherish them for your entire life, you might want to consider keeping them hidden from your pet.

Fragile decorations tend to be the most cherished, and also the most expensive. Whenever possible, avoid hanging fragile ornaments and decorations in rooms where your pets are allowed to roam. This reduces the risk of shattering objects you value.

11. Use Pet-Deterrent Sprays On Tempting Decorations

Just as you can use certain sprays to keep your pets off your couches and away from the windows, you can use these same fragrances to keep them away from your Christmas tree and other decorations. If you are worried about your pet eating a decoration, use sour apple spray. Citrus sprays and anything peppery will also help keep dogs and cats at bay.

12. Never Put Out Wrapped Gifts Out

While not all pets are attracted to wrapping paper, many of them are. The last thing you want is to wake up one morning and find all your carefully wrapped gifts shredded to bits. Resist the urge to display your wrapped gifts before the holiday. If you do display your wrapped gifts under the tree, use a barrier, such as a baby gate or ottoman, to ensure your pet stays at a safe distance.

13. Keep Gingerbread Houses Covered

Gingerbread houses have been a family tradition for generations. Creating a house with this sweet and spicy bread and various confections is a fun project the entire family can enjoy. Just be sure your pet doesn’t eat it. If you plan to display your gingerbread house, keep it covered and out of reach of pets. This makes it less tempting to your pet, and it will also keep pests away.

14. Consider An Artificial Tree

Since some trees are toxic, and all real trees require watering, it might be a good idea to buy an artificial tree if you have a pet. These trees are cleaner and safer around animals, and they are less likely to get damaged. 

Ornaments tend to stay more securely fastened to artificial trees as well, which gives them an added benefit. You can even coat these trees with pet-deterrent spray without worrying about harming the tree.

Wrapping Up How To Pet-Proof Your Holiday Decorations

If you have a pet, then you must take the time to pet-proof your holiday decorations. Failure to do so can result in lots of destroyed momentos, and it can put a real damper on your holiday season. 

Some ways to pet-proof your holiday decorations include making certain rooms pet-free, hanging decorations out of reach of your pets, and avoiding decorations that could be enticing to your pet. Never bring toxic plants into the home, and consider using pet-deterrent sprays on decorations you’re worried your pet might chew on or scratch.

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