Taking down decorations without taking out Fido

January 2, 6:35 AMAtlanta Dogs ExaminerSandy Weaver Carman

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'Tis the season to take down all those holiday decorations, unplug the lights and de-tree the house.  Just take care if you have pets, because their curiosity could kill them.  Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

Unplug any lights or electrified items first.  That way, when you start coiling strings of lights and your dog mistakes that coil for a ball and chomps down, no one gets hurt...except maybe the lights.

Tinsel can be deadly.  If you did opt for the retro look of icicle tinsel or shiny garland, make sure you don't leave a trail of it as you take the tree out.  Don't let your dog or cat chew on it or swallow it, as it can cause serious internal injury or even death.

Ornament hooks can be deadly, too.  Check the carpet and floor carefully to be sure none of them escaped while you were taking the decorations off the tree. 

When removing holiday plants and plant materials (poinsettias, mistletoe, holly, etc.) don't let your dog eat any dropped foliage, especially mistletoe or holly berries.  Poinsettias can be a tummy irritant but aren't highly toxic.  Mistletoe and holly berries are toxic and can be deadly if enough are ingested.

And remember that your dog is underfoot because he loves you and wants to be with you.  Sometimes it's easy to get impatient with a dog's version of "helping" but try to laugh.  It's good to laugh and better to make your dog laugh, too!