Christmas Pet Tips

With Christmas comes Christmas trees - pretty for you, lots of fun (and trouble!) for your pets.

• Cats are perching animals and will likely try to climb the tree. Clap your hands, say "Ack!", or spray your cat with a mist of water if you see her pondering jumping into the branches.

• Consider anchoring the tree to a piece of heavy furniture or the ceiling so that it won't fall over if your cat does climb.

• Don't hang any delicate ornaments on the lower limbs and forgo tinsel and other shiny decorations that your cat could easily swallow.

•  If you don't want your cat to lie under the tree, place bubble wrap under the tree skirt or coir welcome mats or plastic X-Mats on top of the skirt.

•  Until you are certain that your cat will leave the tree alone it is a good idea to confine her when you aren't able to supervise her.

•  Spray the branches with Bitter Apple or mouthwash to prevent your dog chewing on the tree.

•  Redirect your dog to a new chew toy if he is overly-interested in the tree.

•  Use a covered tree stand that will prevent your dog from drinking the water for the tree.

•  Your dog may be thrilled that you have brought a tree inside so he doesn't need to go out to eliminate. Make sure to take your dog outside on schedule. Interrupt him (clap your hands or say "Not here!") if you see him attempting to urinate on the tree and rush him outside.

•  Until you are certain that your dog will leave the tree alone it is wise to confine him when you are unable to supervise him.