Oh, Toxic Christmas Tree, How Deadly Are Thy Branches?

Did you know that even your fake Christmas tree can be toxic to your kids or pets? It's common for most Christmas trees that are purchased at stores to be sprayed with a toxic (but potentially life-saving in the event of a fire) flame retardant that can prove fatal to young kids and pets that get to close and chew on the branches. A study done by the EPA in 2007 reported that fire retardants can actually cause thyroid disease in cats and humans alike.

Think your Christmas tree that you cut down yourself is any safer? Unfortunately, it's not so cute that your dog or cat or even your toddler drinks out of the Christmas tree stand. What looks like harmless water is actually pine resin and needles, and if you purchased your fresh tree, there can be artificial preservatives as well in the water. Pine is actually very toxic to pets, and can cause intestinal damage and even kidney failure if they drink the pine resin or munch on a few pine needles.

And speaking of pine needles, while they can prove fatal to your cat if they munch on them, your dog isn't completely safe if they chew on the needles, either. Pine needles from a fresh Christmas tree can be swallowed whole, and therefore can act like true needles tearing their intestinal tract apart if they ingest them. While a Christmas tree is a beautiful thing to have in the house, keep in mind that even a fake tree can have its issues.

Keeping your tree secure to the wall can help eliminate a lot of dangers the tree can pose to young ones and pets. We have decorated the base of our Christmas tree with deer and moose antlers to keep our curious cat out of the water, and the branches to the tree start higher up to discourage climbing or chewing. Luckily, the dog leaves the tree alone, and the cat only shows interest when there are bulbs hanging low. We simply moved them up higher and she leaves our potentially toxic tree alone as well.

note:
Keep your fresh tree alive even longer by leaving it outdoors for a few days so it can accimate to your home when you bring it inside. Give your tree another fresh cut, give it lukewarm sugar water, and you should be able to enjoy your fresh Christmas tree even longer!

Sources:

personal experience with pets and Christmas trees and hubby who is a landscaper (and knows everything)

my vet and the dangers of Christmas trees (Dr. Fulcher, DVM, personal interview)