Animal Medical Centre’s Guide to Christmas Trees and Pets

Real Christmas trees are beautiful, but are they the best option when you have pets? At this time of year, our vets in Childs Hill often see cases where curious cats, dogs or rabbits have got a little too close to the tree, with unfortunate results. 

If you do need urgent help, call our team at Animal Medical Centre on 020 8450 2228 straight away and we'll arrange to see your pet as quickly as possible. 

Which type of Christmas tree is best for pets?

Real Christmas trees

1. Pine needle problems

Pine needles may look harmless, but they're sharp and non-digestible. If chewed or swallowed, they can cause irritation or even punctures to the mouth, throat, and stomach. Animal Medical Centre's team share that pets who eat pine needles may show signs such as drooling, vomiting or reluctance to eat. In severe cases, the needles can cause dangerous internal blockages that require emergency care.

Pine trees also contain natural oils (terpenes) that can upset your pet's stomach or cause skin irritation. Cats are particularly sensitive to these oils and may develop drooling, weakness or tremors after exposure. If you've ever wondered "are pine needles toxic to cats and dogs?", the answer is yes, they are.

2. Troublesome tree water

Our vets in Childs Hill explain that Christmas tree water often contains sap and sometimes fertiliser that can cause tummy upsets if pets drink it. 

Are plastic trees safe?

The short answer is, not really. If you have an artificial tree, remember they're not risk-free either, as their plastic or tinsel-like needles can cause choking if chewed.

Call us on 020 8450 2228 straight away if you're pet has ingested anything harmful.

Our verdict?

We don't want to be bah-humbug, so our advice is always "think safety first!" Here are a few Christmas tree tips to reduce risk at home:

1. Reduce pet access to the tree if you can.
2. Failing that, sweep up fallen pine needles daily.
3. Secure your tree to a wall if possible to prevent tipping.
4. Avoid issues with tree water by securely covering the base of your tree.
5. If buying a plastic tree, ensure there are no small detachable parts that could be chewed off and swallowed.
6. Tie up loose cables.
7. Always choose pet-safe decorations and avoid having tinsel or edible ornaments within reach of pets.

Taking a few simple precautions will maximise the chances of your pets staying healthy and your home festive. Our veterinary team at Animal Medical Centre love seeing your pets, but we're sure an emergency admission on Christmas Eve isn't on your wish list!

Call us for advice or pop into the practice if there's anything you're unsure about before the holidays.

Looking for more pet care news? Be sure to check our other seasonal articles for tips from our vets in Childs Hill and things you need to know about winter pet care.