With the festive season fast approaching, it's time to deck the halls. But if you're a dog owner, you might want to reconsider some of your décor styles.
While bright lights and colorful decorations may be pleasing to the human eye, our festive décor isn't always as pet friendly as it could be. But what should dog owners avoid this holiday season?
Rethink the Colors
Traditional reds and greens are Christmas staples, but to your dog they blend into their surroundings and are difficult to see.
Animal wellbeing specialist at Animal Friends Pet Insurance, Catrin George, explained: "While human eyes have three cones that can identify color combinations of red, blue, and green, dogs have dichromatic color vision, meaning they possess only two types of cones and can only really see blue and yellow."
If you're looking for a color scheme that your pets can appreciate too, opt for bright blues and yellows, navy and gold accents instead.
Switch out Festive Plants
There are plenty of plants associated with the festive season, but they're not always safe to be around your pets.
For example, mistletoe and holly leaves and berries all contain compounds that can be harmful to dogs. Ingesting mistletoe berries or leaves can cause symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea and difficulty breathing.
Poinsettia is another classic Christmas plant, but it is actually mildly toxic to dogs. If ingested by dogs the plant can cause irritation of the mouth and stomach which leads to drooling and vomiting.
If you want to get the classic foliage style in your home this Christmas, it might be a good idea to opt for faux plants that can't cause harm to your dog.
Gentle Lighting
Everyone loves Christmas lights, but twinkling LEDs can play havoc with your pet.
Dogs are sensitive to the flickering of lights, so it is a better idea to keep your string lights on the "still" setting to prevent distress and still give your space a magical glow.
Avoid the Clutter
When giving your home a festive touch, it is a good idea to avoid cluttering the space with too many decorations.
"A cluttered home can be hazardous for your pup, making navigation difficult and increasing the risk of slips and trip," George warned. "Exercise caution before going overboard with Christmas decorations. Ensure a clear and safe space for your furry friend."
It is particularly important to keep walkways clear and ensure that your dog still has their own space to retreat to—especially if people are visiting for the holidays.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Alice Gibbs is a Newsweek Senior Internet Trends & Culture Reporter based in the U.K. For the last two years ... Read more
