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Christmas Holiday Decoration Dangers To Dog & Preventing Tips

what-to-do-if-dog-eats -christmasornament

During the festive season, a dog's curiosity might lead them to nibble on Christmas ornaments. If a dog swallows these decorations, it can pose serious risks to their health. In this article, we'll explore which Christmas items can harm dogs and how to keep them safe.

More importantly, we'll guide you on immediate steps to take if your dog eats a Christmas ornament. Ensuring our furry friends enjoy the holidays safely is as crucial as our own enjoyment.

Which decorations are harmful to dogs?

Christmas can be harmful to dogs with the trees, lights, and ornaments. Dogs might chew on them or knock them down, causing harm. Chewing lights can shock dogs, and glass ornaments can break and hurt them. Also, cords and batteries from decorations can burn or shock dogs if they bite them. To keep your dog safe, make sure the tree is secure, put fragile ornaments high up, cover cords, and keep batteries away. This way, you can have a festive and pet-friendly holiday. 

To learn more about these risks, check out the following sections for tips to protect your dog.

The Christmas tree 

Christmas trees are a beloved tradition during the holiday season, adding festive charm to homes. However, these trees can also pose risks to our furry friends. It's important to recognize that while Christmas trees bring joy, they can bring some dangers to dogs as well. Read on to know how Christmas trees are dangerous to your dogs.

what-to-do-if-dog-eats-christmas-ornament

Dog and Christmas trees

👍 Watch more: History of Christmas Trees: From Pagan Roots to Modern Traditions.

Can dogs eat pine needles? 

No! If your dog chews or swallows pine needles from the Christmas tree, wreath, or garland, it could be a problem. Dogs are naturally curious and often like to chew on and eat new things. So, it's really important to make sure your dog doesn't chew on your Christmas tree or eat any fallen tree needles. These needles can be harmful if eaten and cause serious tummy problems for your furry friend.

You see, pine tree needles are sharp and can hurt a dog's insides when they swallow them. Sometimes these pointy needles can even get stuck deep inside, causing bad infections and sores. They might also get stuck in weird places like between their teeth or at the back of their mouth.

A bunch of pine needles can also get stuck together and block your dog's tummy pipes. This can happen in their throat, stomach, or intestines. And don't think fake Christmas tree needles are safer – they can be just as risky.

Here are some signs to watch out for: Dogs that eat pine needles often throw up. That's because these needles are tough to digest and can make the tummy really irritated. If your dog throws up a lot, it might mean something is blocking their insides. Other signs to look for are: 

  • Weird sounds like gagging or retching
  • Drooling way more than usual
  • Acting like they're in pain
  • Not wanting to eat
  • Being really tired and not playful
  • Strange lumps or stuff coming out from their body

If you see your dog throwing up or showing any of these signs, whether they ate real or fake Christmas tree needles, you should take them to the vet for help. And remember, these tree needle troubles can affect cats too!

Can dogs drink Christmas tree water?

No! Dogs can not drink the Christmas tree water. To keep Christmas trees fresh, they add preservatives, pesticides, fertilizers, and aspirin to water.  These help the tree last longer. But be careful, because pine needles and sap can get into the water. If your dog drinks that water, it could cause trouble. 

Also, if you don't change the tree water often, it can become full of bacteria that can hurt your dog. Standing water can grow harmful stuff like bacteria or mold, which can make your dog's stomach feel bad if she eats it. So, to keep your dog safe, it's a good idea to use a covered dish for the tree water.

Christmas decorations

Christmas trees and decorations might look nice, but they can also be risky for dogs. Christmas lights, glass ornaments, candy canes, and salt dough ornaments can be dangerous to your dogs in many way.

What should you do if your dog eats Christmas lights?

If your dog chews and swallows Christmas lights, it's important to get them to the vet quickly. The broken bulbs can hurt them. If they eat part of the lights, it could block their insides, and that needs surgery. Don't try to pull the lights out yourself, as it could harm their stomach and intestines.

To keep your dog safe during the holidays, be careful with the lights on your tree. Avoid putting lights low on the tree because certain types can become really hot and hurt your dog. Make sure to securely tape the cords to the wall or floor and keep an eye out for any bite marks or holes. Dogs that chew on these cords might get electric shocks or burns in their mouth. Chewing on wires can even lead to a serious condition called fluid in the lungs, which can be deadly.

what-to-do-if-dog-eats-christmas-ornament

Dog and Christmas lights

What should you do if your dog swallows glass ornaments?

If your dog eats glass Christmas decorations, it's important to get help from a vet right away. Usually, the light and delicate glass won't bother your dog's stomach too much. But it's a good idea to do some safety checks just to be sure.

First, look at your dog's lips, tongue, and mouth for any signs of blood. This can show if the glass hurt them while being swallowed. Remember where you see cuts or injuries. Then, call your vet!

Normally, the vet won't suggest making your puppy vomit. That might actually make the glass hurt more. A dog's tummy doesn't have much pressure, so with a bit of help, the glass can usually pass without a problem.

To help with this, the vet might recommend giving your dog certain foods that can wrap around the glass and protect it as it moves through the body. These foods include chunky items, canned pumpkin (not the pie filling), and mashed potato.

What should I do if my dog eats an ornament?

If your dog eats Christmas ornaments, especially ones made of glass, it's important to call the vet right away. Glass or thin plastic decorations can be harmful if your dog chews or swallows them. They might get cuts in their mouth or throat, or even inside their stomach.

To keep everyone safe, don't put edible or glass ornaments on your tree. Your dog might knock down the tree while trying to reach them or hurt itself playing with a broken one. Swallowing an ornament could also block their stomach and intestines. Some ornaments might even have materials or chemicals that are poisonous and could be deadly.

Can dogs eat candy canes?

Yes, dogs can have candy canes, but eating too many can make them sick with diarrhea and vomiting. The sugar in candy canes can be especially risky for dogs who have diabetes or issues with their blood sugar. If your dog has diabetes or blood sugar problems, it's better to avoid giving them candy canes.

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Can dogs eat salt dough ornaments? 

No. It's not safe for your dog to eat salt dough ornaments. Just eating 1 or 2 of these ornaments can make your dog really sick. The ornaments have a lot of salt, which could lead to your dog feeling shaky and unsteady due to salt poisoning. If your dog isn't vomiting, you can let them drink water while you talk to your vet.

If you do decide to make salt dough ornaments, make sure to keep your pets away while you're making them. When you're making salt dough ornaments, make sure to put them in a spot that's high up and out of reach from your pets while they dry. After they're dry, hang these ornaments on a sturdy and tall branch on your tree. This way, you can enjoy your ornaments while keeping your furry friend safe.

Electricity and battery

Electric lights and battery can be risky for your dog. If your dog chews on the electrical cords of your Christmas tree lights or decorations, it can be really dangerous. Chewing on cords could lead to burns or even electrocution if the wires are damaged. To keep your pet safe, it's a good idea to use short extension cords and secure them to the floor and wall with tape. And don't forget to turn off the power to the tree when you can't watch over your pet near it.

How do I dog-proof my Christmas tree?

You can dog-proof your Christmas tree by following these steps to make it safe for your furry friend. First, make sure the tree is stable by securing it to a wall or using a sturdy base. Next, place decorations like lights and tinsel out of your dog's reach to prevent chewing and potential hazards. Use twine or ribbons to hang ornaments securely and avoid wire hooks. 

Avoid decorating the tree with food items to prevent your dog from climbing or nibbling. Keep the area around the tree clean to prevent your dog from eating fallen pine needles or small objects. Finally, consider setting up the tree in a separate room or using a gate to keep your dog from getting too close if needed.

You can keep your dog safety with some tips

Dog-Proof My Christmas Tree

What to do if the dog eats something he/she shouldn't?

If your pet eats something they shouldn't or gets into something harmful, it's really important to take them to the vet right away. Acting quickly can stop a serious problem from happening and could save their life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it's important to be aware of potential Christmas holiday decoration dangers to dogs. They might eat ornaments or get hurt by Christmas tree decorations like lights. If your dog eats Christmas ornaments, contact a vet immediately. To keep your furry friend safe, choose pet-friendly decorations and keep harmful items out of reach.

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