Dog owners know that when the Christmas time comes, it is necessary to take certain precautions in order to keep your dogs safe from numerous potential hazards that lurk during Christmas. You can enjoy the Christmas spirit with your pooch if you make sure that he stays out of the harm’s way. One of the things to do to keep your dog safe during Christmas is to pay special attention to the way you decorate your home and to the materials you use for decoration.
It is possible to have a nicely decorated home that is also pet-friendly, and I am here to help you do it right. You shouldn't think that just because you have a dog you can't decorate for the holidays.
Of course, you do need to take special consideration if you have a rambunctious puppy or especially active dog. You'll also need to take your pet's size into consideration. For example, you may be able to decorate on end tables and bookshelves if you have a very small breed. However, if you have a large breed he may be able to reach decorations left in these places.
The best thing that you can do is to use pet-friendly Christmas decorations that are safe for dogs. The following 20 festive decorations will leave your home looking great without causing any danger to your furry family members.
MORE: 8 Artificial Christmas Trees That Are Safe for Dogs
20 Pet-Friendly Christmas Decorations Safe for Dogs
Decorations
1. Pet-Friendly Wrapping Paper
Wrapping paper can cause stomach obstruction in your dog if he ingests a larger amount, and for that reason, you should consider using a pet-friendly wrapping paper. This type of wrapping paper is made from soy-based ink and without any harsh or dangerous chemicals, which means that it is completely safe to ingest.
2. Electric Candles
Christmas candles add to that specific and lovely atmosphere, but they are a true fire hazard, especially if you have a dog. Instead of taking that risk just for the sake of decoration, you should go with electric candles. They are battery-operated and don’t have any burning risks, so your dog, and you for that matter, will be completely safe.
Christmas Plants
3. Christmas Cactus
Christmas Cactus, for example, can be a great substitution for Mistletoe, which is really toxic to dogs. It has the same tone of rich green colors and similar leaves as Mistletoe. There are also delicate, red flowers that bloom on Christmas Cactus, which will look beautiful in your home for Christmas. It is a completely safe plant for any pet because it is not toxic, but it also doesn’t have spines like other cacti, so your pooch won’t be able to cut himself on it.
4. Red Roses
Red Roses are not traditionally used for Christmas decoration, but there is no reason why you shouldn’t do it. You can use them instead of Poinsettias, which can be harmful to your dog, especially the leaves which contain a sap that can irritate your dog’s mouth or esophagus. Red Roses are maybe even more beautiful than Poinsettias, so it is basically a win-win situation.
5. White Orchids
Even though many species of Orchids are actually toxic to dogs, White Orchids are completely safe to have around your pooch. They are much safer than traditionally used Lilies, which can be really toxic to your dog and cause a lot of gastrointestinal problems for him.
6. Achira
Instead of using Amaryllis, which is a rather beautiful plant whose beauty is matched only by its toxicity, you should go with Achira plant, or as it is also known, Canna, Canna edulis, or Arrowroot. It is very similar to Amaryllis but is also a much safer alternative for your pooch. It has large leaves, thin stalks, and a flower that blooms in bright red.
7. Autumn Olive
This plant is also known as Russian Olive or Silver Berry, and it is a great alternative to Holly that you can use for your Christmas decorations. Holly has a high level of toxicity, and your dog can experience some serious symptoms if he ingests it, like severe abdominal pain. On the other hand, Autumn Olive is perfectly safe and edible and has similarly beautiful red berries as Holly.
RELATED: 8 Ways To Puppy-Proof Your Home For Christmas
Christmas Trees
Even though Christmas trees are not highly toxic for pets, choosing an artificial Christmas tree is still the safer option. There are plenty of choices out there, and you can find many artificial trees that look almost exactly like the real deal.
The best thing to do is to go with unlit trees and stay away from Christmas lights altogether because they are usually the reason why your dog is so drawn toward the Christmas tree. Another smart option would be to go with a tabletop Christmas tree. That is the best way to make sure that your dog will not be able to reach it.
8. Dunhill Fir
One of the options for artificial Christmas trees that I like the most is the Dunhill Fir. These large artificial trees are available in many sizes, and you can find the one that will fit your room perfectly. You need to make sure that the base of the tree is sturdy, so your dog can’t tip it over.
9. Blue Spruce
Blue Spruce is another type of Christmas tree that can look amazing in your home even if it is artificial. In fact, even if you notice the difference, your dog certainly won’t, and he will be safe from ingesting those small needles which can cause multiple gastrointestinal issues or mouth irritation.
10. Tabletop Christmas Tree
Tabletop Christmas tree is probably the smartest choice you can make if you have a dog, particularly if your dog is large and can tip the Christmas tree over. If you go with a classic tabletop Christmas tree, you can rest assured that your dog is safe and sound and unable to hurt himself or make a huge mess.
Christmas Ornaments
Christmas ornaments can also present a danger to your dog, especially if you choose edible ornaments or glass ornaments. You should avoid these and go with ornaments that are unbreakable and shatterproof, to prevent your dog from eating them and seriously jeopardizing his health. I have selected some of the shatterproof ornaments I would like to share with you.
11. Snowflake Shatterproof Christmas Ball Ornaments
These snowflake ball ornaments are beautiful, pet-friendly and completely shatterproof. You can hang them on your Christmas tree without having to worry whether your dog can break them and ingest them. They feature a small red base with cute white snowflakes. They come in a set of 6 and are very light as well.
12. Regal Peacock Shatterproof Christmas Ball Ornaments
If you are looking for colorful Christmas ball ornaments, these regal peacock ball ornaments are a perfect choice. They are 2.75 inches big and present a sweet mix of blue, green, and fuchsia colors, indicating the beauty and grace of a peacock. They arrive ready to hang and with a specially designed metal hook in the shape of the letter S.
13. Finish Finial Drop Christmas Ornaments
In contrast to all the ball-shaped ornaments out there, these icicle-shaped Christmas ornaments truly bring something different to the table. This 8-piece set will make your Christmas tree look wonderful, and you won’t have to worry about them falling and breaking since these blue-colored ornaments are completely shatterproof.
14. Festive Season Assorted Sparkle Christmas Ornament Balls
Having this Festive Season Assorted Sparkle Christmas Ornament Balls hanging from your Christmas tree will truly bring the festive spirit into your home. You will get 6 pieces to hang proudly and without any worries of hazard to your dog since they are shatterproof. They come with a pre-looped string and you can hang them as soon as you open the package.
15. KI Store White Christmas Balls
If you are looking for some classical and white ornaments, you should check out KI Store's white Christmas balls with hooks. They come in a set of 20 simple and classy holiday ornaments that are perfect for your decorations. Of course, they are also shatterproof and pet-friendly.
16. Christmas Nutcracker Ornaments
This set of nutcracker soldiers is a perfect and fun way to decorate your Christmas tree with something other than Christmas balls. These cute-looking soldiers are made of highly shatter-resistant and lightweight wood, and they are safe to hang if you have a dog or small children.
17. Antique Gold Christmas Ball Ornaments
When I was a kid, we always had gold ball ornaments hanging from our Christmas tree, and that is why I have included these lovely ornaments on my list. This 4-piece set of shatterproof ornaments is done in 4 different finishes (glitter drenched, shiny, holographic glitter sparkle, and matte) and they are truly eye-catching for their beauty and their size.
18. Green Christmas Pickles Ornaments
Since I am a fan of the TV show Rick and Morty, I would never be able to resist the temptation of hanging these Christmas pickles on my Christmas tree. You can go with this all-green set, or you can even choose one with multiple-colored pickles. These unique shatterproof ornaments are covered with sparkling glitter spots and will look completely original on your Christmas tree.
19. Christmas Owls Ornaments
These novelty owl-shaped ornaments are completely unique and will stand out from all the other ornaments on your tree. They feature hand-painted sparkling elements with glitter and glaze base. They are also shatterproof, light-weight and completely safe for your dog.
20. Assorted Christmas Ornaments
If you are looking for a set of shatterproof Christmas ornaments that offers a variety of different shapes, then this set of assorted ornaments is ideal for you. They are gold and red-themed and they come in many shapes and sizes, including ball, star, and snowflake shapes.
READ NEXT: 20 Most Dangerous Christmas Decorations for Dogs
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