What are the dangers of Christmas decorations for dogs.

The natural desire to decorate the house for the New Year holiday becomes problematic for pet owners. Many questions arise regarding the safety of using holiday decor, which animals can reach, and not only break something, but also harm their own health. About how to make the New Year safe for cats and dogs, we wrote earlier, as well as about what kind of Christmas tree is preferable for decorating the room where they live. Today we will talk about what Christmas toys and decor are dangerous for dogs and why.

What New Year’s toys are dangerous for dogs

Decorations made of natural and artificial materials

It is believed that it is better to use natural decorations to decorate the house, as they will not cause as much harm as artificial ones. Therefore, for example, Christmas wreaths are often made using cones, acorns and chestnuts collected from the forest or park. Unfortunately, even seemingly innocuous objects can carry danger. For example, an animal swallowing small cones and acorns can suffer from intestinal obstruction. Whereas wild chestnuts are considered poisonous for dogs.

Artificial decorations raise doubts about safety. The coating of decorative elements made of paint or varnish may contain toxic substances. Glitter and rhinestones have sharp edges that can damage delicate mucous membranes. Artificial snow, which is often used to decorate Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands and surfaces, has repeatedly caused digestive problems in animals, after which the owners were forced to consult a veterinarian.

Christmas balls

The round shape of Christmas tree balls reminds four-legged friends of balls, which most of them are crazy about. Attracting attention with their colorful and shiny appearance, balls can provoke the pet to play with them. Such games, as a rule, end miserably. Glass toys fall and break, and dogs, walking on the shards, get cut injuries to the pads of their paws. Worse, if the ball ends up in the animal’s mouth and is bitten off. At the very least, he will have mouth wounds.

Plastic balls are only safe if dropped on the floor. The shattered fragments cause injuries to the mouth and digestive organs as much as glass. Plus, plastic can contain toxic substances that are dangerous to dogs’ health.

The safest Christmas tree balls are those made of natural wood, paper, wool or fabric. However, they should be sized so that the pet cannot accidentally swallow them.

Edible decorations

One of the New Year’s traditions is decorating the tree with various sweets – candies, tangerines, lollipops and gingerbread. For a pet, this is an invitation to eat forbidden treats. Chocolate eaten in large quantities will cause acute poisoning, up to fatal outcome. In general, large amounts of sugar consumed will cause nothing but health problems in animals.

Garlands

An indispensable attribute of New Year’s festivities – shining colorful lights on Christmas trees, windows and throughout the house. Without garlands it is difficult to imagine the holiday decor. Plugged into the electrical network garlands attract the attention of not only people, but also animals, though with a gastronomic-research purpose. Chewing on a cord plugged into an outlet results in electric shock. Owners who buy battery-operated garlands naively believe they are safer. One of the unpleasant features of chewing on an inedible can end tragically in this case as well. Swallowing batteries is deadly for dogs.

Rain and tinsel

Some of the most dangerous Christmas decorations for dogs are tinsel and rain. Getting tangled in them, the animal risks serious injury, up to strangulation. And with swallowed shiny threads and the whole trouble. Some of them come out of the dog’s body naturally, but some of them cannot be removed except by surgery.

Candles

Candles create a warm and mysterious atmosphere on New Year’s Eve. It is really beautiful and festive. However, in a house where a four-legged fidgeter lives, it is also dangerous. A curious nose can get burned, and an awkward movement can lead to a fire. So it’s better to give up the idea of decorating the house with candles, or use it in places inaccessible to pets.

How to make the New Year safe for dogs?

The recommendations are really simple:

• Place the Christmas tree higher so that the animal can’t reach it
• If the tree is large, put a special fence around it
• Do not hang dangerous Christmas decorations on the lower branches.
• Try not to use tinsel and rain.
• give up the idea of decorating the tree with sweet ornaments.
• Place garlands where your pet cannot access them.
• Try not to leave your four-legged friend alone in the room with the “New Year’s temptation”, only in your presence.
• Use Christmas decorations that are as dog-safe as possible.

Let the New Year’s holiday bring you only joy, as well as your favorite pet!

Розбір теми 2025 року.