They will be tempted, but don’t let your dogs and cats drink from the bowl of water that your Christmas tree sits in. Trees can leak sap into this water, which can make your pet sick. And don’t add aspirin, fertilizers, or any other additive to the water for the tree. Not only could it be bad for pets, its completely unnecessary according to the National Christmas Tree Association.
In fact, research has shown that plain tap water is all that’s needed. “Some commercial additives and home concoctions can actually be detrimental to a tree’s moisture retention and increase needle loss. Water holding stands that are kept filled with plain water will extend the freshness of trees for weeks.”
So how do you discourage your pets from drinking from the tree?
* Wrap aluminum foil over the bowl of water so your pets can’t reach it.
* Spray a lemon or orange scent around the tree, especially at the base, to discourage pets from drinking water or climbing onto the tree. (Dogs and cats generally don’t like citrus smells).
* One website offered this neat suggestion: Use an e-collar, but not on your pet. Take the e-collar and put it around the base of the tree and over the water to keep it inaccessible to your pets.