Do Christmas Trees Pose a Risk to Your Dogs?

Dogs don’t have the same appreciation for a prettily decorated tree as you do. Likely they will be tempted to nip at it.

A senior emergency clinician at BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital in Michigan Dr. Paul Cunningham says that live trees have been known to be toxic; hence fake trees are safer for pets.

There is no need to throw out your tree, however, since it’s more than likely that your pet will merely take cautious licks and move on. Just keep an eye on the bold dog that ventures further.

What are the Dangers to be Aware of?

Dr. Cunningham elaborates that the danger lies in the ingestion of tree parts such as needles and branches, and the water the tree stands in.

He says: “Standing water can grow harmful bacteria or mold that can cause digestive distress if ingested.’’

Ingestion of the tree parts can cause muscle weakness, diarrhea, and vomiting. This is because they contain toxic terpenes. When swallowed, pine needles are dangerous as they may puncture the lining of the intestine.

Safety Tips to Follow

Use screens or pronged mats to deter your pets from getting close to the tree and the water it stands in. It is good to keep in mind, however, that the problem may not be so much about keeping your pets away from the tree and its pot. Your bigger challenge may perhaps be keeping your lights and decorations intact.