Smart Home Design Tips for Households with Four-Legged Family Members

Pet-friendly Christmas trees are not something most pet owners think is possible.

If you’ve ever witnessed your cat attack shimmering lights or your pup swipe tinsel off the tree, Christmas probably looks stressful. Between curious critters and expensive decorations, you’re fighting a losing battle.

Well…

They’re not trying to ruin your holidays. They’re just being cats (and dogs). In fact, 68% of Americans have pets in their households. Decorating your home for the holidays while keeping pets safe is more crucial than ever. Fortunately, smart home design can easily eliminate most issues while still allowing your home to look fabulous.

Hang on…

According to ValuePenguin, 72% of pet owners reported their pets have caused problems with their Christmas tree. Broken ornaments. Fallen trees. Fun times.

Learning about pet-friendly holiday decorating could mean the difference between relaxing with your family and paying vet bills.

This guide will cover what you need to know to keep pets safe while decorating your home this holiday season.

How to Pet-Proof Your Christmas Tree: Table of Contents

• Why Pet Friendly Christmas Trees Matter
• Smart Home Devices to Protect Pets
• How to Strategically Place Your Tree
• Pet-Friendly Decoration Substitutes
• Easy Ways to Pet-Proof Your Christmas Tree

Why Pet Friendly Christmas Trees Matter

Pet safety isn’t simply about preventing holiday headaches.

Pets hurting themselves on Christmas trees is a real danger that owners face each year. Climbable trees can fall over on pets (and people), according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

That’s just the beginning:

• Tree needles can tear pets’ mouths and digestive tracts when ingested
• Tree waters often contain bacteria that can sicken pets
• Electrical cords lead to burns and even electrocution
• Shattered glass ornaments lead to cuts and ingestions

Christmas trees pose many dangers to pets. With proper preparation, owners can deck the halls without fear of incident.

Smart Home Devices to Protect Pets

Technology has made many preventative measures easier than ever before.

Owners can monitor and protect their pets while away from home or sleeping at night with smart home technology. Here are some of the best options currently on the market.

Pet Cameras With Motion Notifications

Pet cameras allow monitoring of problem areas like the Christmas tree at all times. Most cameras send instant alerts to phones when they detect motion in a specific area.

You can keep an eye on that naughty pup while at work or school. Some pet cameras even allow you to use built-in two-way audio to scold your pet from miles away.

Smart Plugs For Christmas Lights

Plug Christmas lights into a smart outlet to control them from your smartphone. If your pet starts playing with the tree, you can turn them off remotely. You can even schedule lights to only be on when you’re home.

Motion-Activated Spray or Noise

There are smart home devices that can spray pets or make loud noises when they get too close to certain areas. The most common version is a motion-activated air sprayer. It releases a blast of air that startles pets away from the tree.

Another device emits a high-frequency noise when pets approach. We recommend choosing one that allows you to adjust the noise level. Cats and dogs have different hearing ranges, and what scares one may not faze the other.

How to Strategically Place Your Tree

Sometimes the best tech is common sense.

Not all holiday disasters can be prevented with gadgets. Owners can save themselves a lot of heartache by placing the tree in a smart location.

These spots are best for pet safety:

• Corner – Secure the tree to the walls in a corner of the room
• Upper-level rooms – Trees in bedrooms can be closed off from pets
• Heavy base – Buy a Christmas tree stand that prevents tipping

A lot of pet owners have resorted to physically blocking their pets from the tree. Baby gates are popular since most pets won’t try to jump on your family’s Christmas tree. It allows everyone to view the decorations without worry of injury.

Pro tip: Owners can use ceiling hooks and fishing line to secure the top of the tree out of sight. This can prevent any trees from falling over if pets pull on the bottom branches.

Pet-Friendly Decoration Substitutes

Typical Christmas tree decorations are hazardous to pets.

Breakable ornaments shatter easily and cause cuts. String-like tinsel causes intestinal blockages. Small decorations become choking hazards when left within reach. The solution isn’t boring trees, but decorating with pet-safe alternatives.

Try these decoration substitutes instead:

• Fabric/felt ornaments
• Wood/paper decorations
• Large, bulky ornaments that cannot be swallowed
• Shatter-proof plastic ornaments for lower branches

Here’s a trick we use with our own pets…

Leave the bottom third of your tree undecorated. Pets can easily reach the bottom of trees and knock ornaments off. If you restrict decorations to the top two-thirds, your pets won’t have as many temptations to investigate.

Avoid these completely:

• Tinsel and ribbon
• Popcorn strings or other edible decor
• Salt dough ornaments
• Small bells or ornaments that can be swallowed

Your guests won’t know the difference, but your pets will be better for it. Omitting these decorations won’t make your tree any less merry.

Easy Ways to Pet-Proof Your Christmas Tree

We know. Not every pet parent can implement a smart home this December.

If you’re short on time or just prefer old-fashioned methods, there are quick fixes that offer protection. Any pet owner can utilize these tips tonight.

Do these things right away:

• Spray bitter apple on lower branches and cords
• Vacuum up fallen needles daily if using a real tree
• Cover the tree’s water basin with plastic wrap
• Cover electrical cords with cord guards
• Place citrus peels around the base of the tree (cats dislike citrus)

Practice these daily routines:

• Turn off the tree lights when you leave the house
• Check ornaments each morning to ensure they’re out of reach
• Watch pets extra closely the first week
• Keep emergency vet clinic numbers handy

The first week is always the most dangerous. Pets are curious about new additions to the house. Once they realize the tree is not a toy, they typically lose interest.

Wrapping Things Up

Christmas trees and pets can coexist. Never fear decorating your home this holiday season.

Smart home devices allow owners to monitor and restrict access to three areas. Strategic tree placement can prevent holiday disasters before they happen. And, using pet-safe decorations can help eliminate dangerous distractions.

Let’s review:

• Smart home cameras and plugs allow you to protect your tree remotely
• Place your tree in a corner or high-traffic room and secure it to the wall
• Skip traditional decorations that could harm your pets
• Avoid decorating the bottom third of your tree
• Be extra vigilant the first week the tree is up

Pet-friendly Christmas trees are 100% possible. Now you can enjoy stunning decorations while keeping your furry family members safe too.

And isn’t that what the holidays are all about?