Is Christmas tree safe for dogs?

Live Trees: Fir, spruce, and pine trees make excellent Christmas trees and are generally non-toxic to pets. The needles, however, can cause oral irritation and in excessive amounts, gastrointestinal upset.

Can you have a real Christmas tree around dogs?

A live tree can be especially hazardous. Dogs and cats like to chew on the limbs, and the fir tree oils can be irritating to the mouth tissue, causing such symptoms as drooling and vomiting. Also, if your pet is chewing on the branches, there is a good chance he is also swallowing some of the needles.

What type of Christmas tree is best for dogs?

Consider an Artificial Tree

“You can make the case that an artificial tree is safer, because they're not going to drop needles, and they don't need the water in the base.” A dog who ingests fallen needles is at risk for “digestive punctures,” and chemicals added to tree water can prove “lethal” to pets, he says.

What happens if my dog eats my Christmas tree?

GI Dangers

If your dog has ingested pine needles, they may vomit them up or have mild diarrhea. A more likely concern rather than toxicity level is blockage or puncture in the gastrointestinal tract. Although most cases of pine needle ingestion resolve without serious issue, injury to the GI tract can occur.

Can I have a Christmas tree with a puppy?

If you don't mind having puppies turn your tree into a canine playground, make sure it is assault proof. Attach guy-wires or twine to prevent the tree from falling, and make sure the lower ornaments are pet safe. You could even offer the puppies a small tree of their own.

How to Pet-Proof Your Christmas Tree

How do you make a Christmas tree safe for dogs?

To help keep your dog safe, keep lights confined to the top half of your tree and be sure to firmly tape cords to the wall or floor. Regularly check the cords to see if you notice any signs of chewing. Tinsel is another decoration that looks lovely, but can block your dog's intestines if eaten.

How do I keep my dog away from my Christmas tree?

Put aluminum foil on the floor around the tree. Puppies in particular will avoid the area because they don't like walking on a surface that they consider odd or weird. If not foil, then use a soft “tacky mat” like this one to keep dog away from Christmas tree. Most pets don't like to walk on sticky surfaces.

Can pine needles make a dog sick?

Pine Needles

The needles can puncture or irritate the lining of your dog's stomach, and the oils can irritate the mucous membranes. The needles may not kill your pet, but they can make him really uncomfortable and ill.

Why do dogs like pine trees?

Pine needles can be particularly attractive to puppies due to their smell and texture. They look similar to grass and may prompt pups to ingest them.

Are pine trees OK for dogs?

Live Trees: Fir, spruce, and pine trees make excellent Christmas trees and are generally non-toxic to pets. The needles, however, can cause oral irritation and in excessive amounts, gastrointestinal upset.

What do you do if your dog drinks Christmas tree water?

If your dog or cat drank tree water and is acting sick, please make an appointment as soon as possible. If the pet is acting normal, please carefully watch them for any signs of illness including not eating, vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy.

Is Christmas tree water poisonous to dogs?

The National Capital Poison Center noted: "The amounts [of tree water] usually consumed by children, cats, and dogs are not poisonous. There may be some stomach upset and even vomiting, but no serious problems are expected.

Can a dog be allergic to a Christmas tree?

Christmas trees tend to be either fir, spruce or pine. These types of trees are non-toxic to dogs and cats. For pets, the issue with Christmas trees tends to be the needles, which can irritate your pet's mouth, get stuck in their paws, and can cause an upset tummy if too many are eaten.

What wood is toxic to dogs?

Most pine that is grown for landscaping or Christmas tree decoration purposes is the Norfolk pine. This tree is toxic to dogs and might upset their stomachs if they eat the wood from the pine. While the poison isn't fatal for dogs, the pine toxics do cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.

Are real Christmas trees safe?

When are Christmas trees a fire hazard? Technically, a Christmas tree is always a fire hazard, but it can become more of one once the needles start to dry out. Experts recommend keeping live trees for no more than four weeks, and continuing to water them during that timeframe.

Is pine bark toxic to dogs?

Any wood-based mulch is safe for your dog. Pine, cedar, and cypress are probably the three of the most popular mulch options and they should all be dog-friendly.

Will tree bark hurt a dog?

Even the bark from nontoxic trees, when ingested in large quantities, can cause issues by creating intestinal blockages. Chewing trees can damage your dog's teeth, and small splinters of wood can dislodge and become stuck in your dog's mouth and esophagus.

Why does my dog eat pine bark?

Chewing due to boredom

Gnawing on tree bark can mean your dog is lonely or anxious. Just as some pets chew baseboards, your new leather purse, or a thick college textbook out of boredom, gnawing on tree bark or plants can also be a sign that your dog is lonely or anxious.

Is it OK for a dog to chew on wood?

Why Is Wood Bad For My Dog? The problem with your dog eating wood is two-fold. Small pieces of wood can lodge splinters in the mouth and esophagus, causing damage. Large pieces of wood can cause even more significant problems, including perforated intestines or stomach lining and obstruction of your dog's bowels.

Why should I not buy a real Christmas tree?

Do real Christmas trees have bugs?

Christmas trees, like any other household plant, will have a few bugs here and there and are a totally natural occurrence, Hundley explained. The most common insects potentially living in your Christmas tree are safe, non-invasive species such as aphids, spiders, mites and bark beetles.

Will a real Christmas tree hurt my cat?

Are Christmas trees poisonous to cats? Fir trees are mildly toxic and may produce oils which can cause irritation to a cat's mouth and stomach, but it's very unlikely that your cat will eat large enough amounts to hurt themselves.

Which trees are safe for dogs?

Are maple trees toxic to dogs?

Red maple trees, found throughout the eastern United States and Canada, are not entirely toxic to pets. It is the leaves of the red maple tree that are dangerous. Specifically, the leaves must be dried or wilted, like those found on a snapped branch after a high wind storm.

Is pine wood toxic?

Occupational exposure to cedar and pine woods and pine resin (colophony) can cause asthma and chronic lung disease.