Christmas tree decorations that are dangerous for pets
3 min read · Published
Tinsel, chocolate, salt dough, glass baubles and artificial snow: which tree decorations UK vets warn about, and what to use instead.
Tree decorations can cause poisoning, choking and injuries if pets chew or swallow them. Here are the decorations UK vets and charities warn about.
Tinsel and ribbon
Tinsel isn’t poisonous, but PDSA rates it hazardous because it can get stuck in the intestines and cause a blockage that needs emergency surgery (PDSA). PDSA vets once pulled three feet of it from the stomach of a dog called Dexter. Cats Protection says swallowed tinsel can be fatal for cats, and warns about ribbon and gift ribbon for the same reason (Cats Protection).
What to do: in a home with a cat, leave tinsel out.
Chocolate decorations
Chocolate contains theobromine, which PDSA says damages the nervous system in cats and dogs and can be fatal (PDSA). Blue Cross says never to hang chocolate on the tree (Blue Cross). PDSA also warns about sugar-free sweets, which may contain xylitol. The RSPCA calls xylitol “extremely toxic” (RSPCA).
What to do: keep edible decorations off the tree. Don’t put wrapped food presents underneath it either, because dogs can smell them through the paper (RSPCA).
Salt dough ornaments
Home-made salt dough decorations contain enough salt to be toxic. Vets Now says even a small piece can cause vomiting, excessive thirst and lethargy, and in severe cases seizures or kidney damage (Vets Now). That includes old ones that have been in the decorations box for years.
What to do: hang salt dough pieces out of reach, or keep them in a frame or on a high shelf.
Glass baubles
Broken glass can cut mouths, throats and paws, and swallowed pieces can injure the gut (Vets Now). PDSA says baubles can also get stuck in the throat and block breathing (PDSA).
What to do: use shatterproof baubles, and put any glass ones on the top third of the tree.
Fairy lights
Chewed cables can give a pet an electric shock or burns. Older bulbs that aren’t LED can get hot enough to burn (Vets Now). Vets Now suggests battery lights as a safer option, as long as the battery pack is out of reach.
What to do: switch the lights off at the wall when you go out, and check cables for bite marks.
Artificial snow
PDSA says UK-made artificial snow is usually low risk, but some imported products can be toxic. Eating a small amount can cause a mild stomach upset. Eating a lot can cause a blockage (PDSA). The RSPCA also warns that some snow globes contain antifreeze, which is poisonous (RSPCA).
Safer swaps
- Felt, wooden or fabric decorations instead of glass
- Simple decorations without loose strings or small detachable parts, kept out of reach
- Battery LED lights, with the battery pack kept out of reach
- Decorations on the top two-thirds of the tree only
If your pet has swallowed any decoration, phone your vet and take the packaging or a sample with you (RSPCA).