Holiday Decoration Safety Tips for Your Pomsky or other dog
The holiday season brings lights, ornaments, fragrant greenery, and lots of excitement. While decorations make your home festive, they can also create hazards for curious dogs and energetic Pomskies. Use these practical safety tips to protect your pet and keep your celebrations worry-free.
Choose pet-safe decor
Avoid edible-looking decorations. Candy canes, popcorn garlands, and chocolate ornaments can tempt dogs. Keep edible decor well out of reach or skip it.
Skip small, breakable ornaments. Glass and ceramic pieces can shatter and cause cuts or be swallowed. Use unbreakable or soft ornaments within your dog’s reach.
Check materials for toxicity. Some glitters, paints, and artificial snow sprays contain harmful chemicals. Prefer non-toxic, pet-safe products.
Use battery-operated candles instead of real flames or wax candles. Dogs can knock over candles, causing burns or fires.
Secure the tree
Anchor the tree. A curious Pomsky may tug at lower branches or try to climb. Secure tall trees to the wall or ceiling to prevent tipping.
Use a sturdy, heavy base. A wide, heavy stand is less likely to be knocked over.
Keep fragile ornaments high. Place delicate or hazardous ornaments on upper branches or on a tree away from pet traffic.
Avoid tinsel and metallic garlands. These can be very dangerous if ingested, causing intestinal blockages.
Consider an artificial tree if you’re worried about dogs chewing pine needles. Real needles can irritate the mouth and stomach and may be a choking hazard.
Manage lights and cords
Hide or cover cords. Use cord protectors, run cords behind furniture, or tape them down to prevent chewing.
Unplug lights when you’re not home. This reduces fire risk and removes a tempting chew target.
Use LED lights that stay cool to the touch, reducing burn risk if a dog brushes past them.
Keep extension cords and power strips out of reach and off the floor when possible.
Watch out for plants
Know which holiday plants are toxic. Poinsettias, holly, mistletoe, and certain lilies can cause gastrointestinal upset or more severe reactions. Use pet-safe plants or keep toxic ones well out of reach.
Dispose of trimmings safely. Pine needles, fallen holly berries, and pruned branches on the floor can be swallowed or cause internal injury.
Be careful with ribbons, bows, and wrapping
Keep ribbons, elastic, and string away from dogs. If swallowed, they can cause life-threatening intestinal blockages.
Supervise your dog during gift-opening sessions. Dogs may grab wrapping paper, ribbons, or small toys that pose choke or obstruction risks.
Secure small gifts and toys to avoid accidental ingestion.
Manage scents and potpourri
Avoid essential oils and scented wax melts in diffusers where pets can sniff or ingest them. Many essential oils (tea tree, eucalyptus, citrus, pine) can be toxic to dogs.
Keep potpourri, scented sachets, and spiced decorations out of reach. Oral exposure can cause vomiting, drooling, and more serious problems.
Decorate with safe placement in mind
Create pet-free zones. Use baby gates to block rooms with fragile or hazardous decorations.
Put low tables with fragile decor out of the dog’s reach or use heavy, low-profile containers that can’t be toppled easily.
Hang stockings and small decor items higher than your dog can reach.
Plan for behavior and stress
Maintain routine. The holidays can be disruptive: try to keep feeding, walking, and sleeping schedules consistent to reduce stress.
Provide exercise and enrichment. A well-exercised Pomsky is less likely to get into mischief. Use puzzle toys, chew-safe bones, and supervised play to expend energy.
Create a quiet retreat. If parties or company are loud, have a quiet room with familiar bedding and toys where your dog can rest.
Prepare for emergencies
Know signs of ingestion or distress: vomiting, diarrhea
a, lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, excessive drooling, or unusual behavior. Contact your veterinarian or emergency pet clinic immediately if you suspect poisoning or obstruction.
Keep your vet’s phone number and the nearest emergency clinic’s contact handy.
Consider microchipping and ensure your dog’s ID tags are up to date in case they slip out during holiday gatherings.
Holiday-proof your routine
Supervise guests and children around the dog. Teach visitors not to feed human food or encourage scavenging.
Offer trained behaviors for guests (e.g., “sit” for greetings) and use a leash briefly if your dog becomes overly excited.
Limit access to rooms with lots of decorations when you can’t supervise closely.
With a bit of planning and dog‑proofing, securing decorations, packages, and treats; you can make sure everyone you love enjoys a safe, joyful holiday season.
