Day 7- Pine Needles

While pine needles that fall off real christmas trees are non toxic to dogs they can still pose a risk. Some dogs like to ingest them either from the tree or from the floor which can cause some gastrointestinal upset, the needles are also sharp and can pose a risk of puncturing the lining of the digestive tract leading to further problems.

If dogs like to rub against the tree we need to be aware of where the needles might end up, specifically the dogs ears as this can also lead to an infection.

Finally if you have a real christmas tree with a water base on it, either make sure the water is cleared out regularly or the dog does not have access to it. This is because some dogs will choose to drink from it and the water itself could also lead to gastrointestinal problems.

If you are unable to trust your dog completely around your real christmas tree, block access if possible to reduce any risks.