Home > Blogs > Nina Hollander, Broker > Real Estate News You Can Use From The Greater Charlotte Area

The Christmas Tree Survival Guide (For Pets… and You)

By Nina Hollander, Broker

Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Realty 179530

December 03, 2025 04:36 AM

Treetastrophe Prevention for Pet Owners

"I didn’t destroy the Christmas tree—I was just ‘redecorating'."

... Unknown

December has arrived and Christmas trees are popping up in homes across the Greater Charlotte area. While the season is full of decorating fun, it also brings a few hidden risks for our pets.

The lights, ornaments, and fresh scents that make a tree so appealing to us can be downright irresistible to curious cats and dogs—sometimes in ways that lead to trouble. Cats and dogs are naturally drawn to the sights, smells, and textures of a Christmas tree, which can quickly turn a holiday centerpiece into a potential hazard.

If you share your home with pets, it’s worth taking a moment to think about how to keep them safe around your tree. Both real and artificial trees come with hazards that aren’t always obvious. A little preparation now can help prevent accidents later and keep the holidays peaceful for everyone, furry family members included. If you have a kitten in your home, keep in mind what Jules Champfleury famously said: "There is no more intrepid explorer than a kitten."

EASY-TO-FOLLOW CHRISTMAS TREE PET SAFETY TIPS: INFOGRAPHIC

By the way, did you know that hanging lemon-scented car air fresheners in the tree could deter your cat from climbing it?

MORE CHRISTMAS TREE SAFETY TIPS FOR PETS: VIDEO

Don't forget to have a pet emergency plan in place. This should include easily available contact information for your veterinarian and animal poison control "just in case."

Wishing You And Your Pets A Dog-gone, Paw-sitively, Purr-fectly Moewy (And Very Safe) Christmas!

These tips for Christmas tree pet safety from dogster and catster (where you can find more holiday safety tips) are provided by Nina Hollander with Coldwell Banker Realty, Greater Charlotte pet-friendly residential real estate expert and pet parent.

If you're planning to buy or sell a home in the Greater Charlotte area this holiday season or in the new year, I'd love an opportunity to earn your business, exceed your expectations, and to show you why experience matters and how:

"The Right Broker Makes All The Difference."

Re-Blog

Comments(15)

Comment

Show All Comments Sort:

Wayne Martin

Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL

Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Nina. When we first got our rescue Yorkie we wondered about the Christmas tree and his adventurous and mischievous ways. And top our surprise he left it alone. Still, out of caution, the sentimental ornaments were place higher up. Enjoy your day.

Dec 03, 2025 04:51 AM

Gwen Fowler SC Lakes &...

Walhalla, SC
Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC
Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Nina Hollander, Broker

Wayne Martin hi Wayne... none of my cats or dogs have ever bothered any of my trees. I have a six month old kitten in the house and was a bit concerned on Sunday when I put up my tree... he went under it and took a nap. Then a got up and ran around. Later returned under the tree for another nap. He hasn't been back to the tree since.

Dec 03, 2025 05:27 AM

Kat Palmiotti

eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT

Helping your Montana dreams take root

Good morning! Those are good tips. I had a cat once that loved to climb up the Christmas tree. Oops!

Dec 03, 2025 04:53 AM

Gwen Fowler SC Lakes &...

Walhalla, SC
Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC
Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Nina Hollander, Broker

Kat Palmiotti hi Kat... I've never had any cats that bothered my trees. I've also had artificial trees "forever." I wonder if they are less attracted to those because they have no scent.

Dec 03, 2025 05:28 AM

Kat Palmiotti

Probably Nina Hollander, Broker - the cat in question was "rescued" from a barn by a friend of mine and dropped off with me. I suspect the "real" nature of the tree was quite attractive to her.

Dec 03, 2025 05:45 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Kat Palmiotti love the picture.... she looks like she's surveying her domain.

Dec 03, 2025 07:04 AM

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400

The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY

Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Yes Nina, Pets can be curious around the tree. It’s always worth thinking ahead to keep them safe while still enjoying the holiday decorations.

Dec 03, 2025 04:56 AM

Gwen Fowler SC Lakes &...

Walhalla, SC
Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC
Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD
Lawrence "Larry" & She...

Plainview, NY

Nina Hollander, Broker

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 hi Sheila... just as we "baby proof" homes, we need to "pet proof" our homes, especially during the holidays.

Dec 03, 2025 05:29 AM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Wednesday morning, Nina. This is timely information to share with pet owners.

Dec 03, 2025 04:57 AM

Gwen Fowler SC Lakes &...

Walhalla, SC
Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC

Nina Hollander, Broker

Good morning to you, Roy, and thanks for stopping by today.

Dec 03, 2025 05:29 AM

Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518

Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc - Walhalla, SC

Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.

Decorating is on hold this year. OC can still climb, and Henry said that after last year, we don't need our geriatric cat to have a broken hip from jumping from the top of the tree.

Dec 03, 2025 05:50 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC
Gwen Fowler SC Lakes &...

Walhalla, SC

Nina Hollander, Broker

Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518 oh my, Gwen. I feel very fortunate that none of my cats (or dogs) have ever "aggressed" a Christmas tree.

Dec 03, 2025 07:05 AM

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty

Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL

Florida Space Coast Homes

We have a blue and gold macaw. He loves to walk over to the tree and pick at the decorations. just hang them higher...lol

Dec 03, 2025 07:00 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC

Nina Hollander, Broker

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty why did I not know you have macaw. Share a picture... don't they live for decades?

Dec 03, 2025 07:06 AM

Will Hamm

Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO

"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Nina and thank you for sharing your information with us here in the Rain. Always interesting what ye learn here.

Dec 03, 2025 10:44 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC

Nina Hollander, Broker

Will Hamm thanks, Will, as always for taking time to leave me a comment. Wishing you a great rest of the week.

Dec 03, 2025 10:54 AM

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!

Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT

Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.

The most damage occurs when pets are left alone for any length of time. Our kids used to put up a childproof fence around the tree to prevent their French Bulldog, Peanut from causing ultimate destruction.

They love to chew on everything, Nina Hollander, Broker!

Dec 03, 2025 11:02 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC

Nina Hollander, Broker

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! we have been very fortunate, Wanda, that none of our dogs, regardless of breed, have chewed on anything in our homes. And doubly fortunate that none of our cats have ever "annoyed" our trees.

Dec 03, 2025 11:07 AM

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!

Same with our cats, Nina Hollander, Broker. They had plenty to keep them entertained and happy! 😻

Dec 03, 2025 11:20 AM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Great tips, Nina. One holiday, Larry was in the hospital and I ran home to grab some things. We didn''t realize our dog had gone blind suddenly. I got home and saw that she had knocked over the Christmas tree. That's when we moved to table top trees.

Dec 03, 2025 11:33 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC

Nina Hollander, Broker

Kathy Streib that's one thing I didn't put up this year, Kathy. The kitten is leaving the big tree alone... but I know if I put up anything on a table, he'll be jumping up.

Dec 03, 2025 11:44 AM

Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner

Denver, CO

Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Nina, I was thinking Taj would tear down a tree, you said he is pretty feisty, but see he is leaving it alone.

Dec 03, 2025 03:10 PM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC

Nina Hollander, Broker

Joan Cox hi Joan... I am amazed... he seems to want to check everything out. But thus far has left all my Christmas stuff alone.

Dec 04, 2025 05:22 AM

Dorie Dillard Austin TX

Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX

NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Nina,

great pointers if you share your home with pets, it’s worth taking a moment to think about how to keep them safe around your tree.

Dec 03, 2025 03:53 PM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC

Nina Hollander, Broker

Dorie Dillard Austin TX hi Dorie... just as with kids. Then again, our pets are our furry kids, after all.

Dec 04, 2025 05:23 AM

George Souto

George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT

Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Nina I don't have pets, so I would not have thought about a number of your sugggestions.

Dec 03, 2025 04:15 PM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC

Nina Hollander, Broker

George Souto hi George... if we don't have pets or children in a home there are just some things we don't need to think about when it comes to safety.

Dec 04, 2025 05:24 AM

Patricia Feager

Referral Specialist - DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX

Licensed to April 2027

Nina Hollander, Broker - I got a kick out of that anonymous quote. I just sent my son and daughter-in-law a text message in regard to their puppy that destroyed their couch. Here's my revision and I hope they laugh:

"I didn't destroy your couch - I was bored and started re-decorating!"

Dec 04, 2025 01:24 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC

Nina Hollander, Broker

Patricia Feager hi Patricia... thanks for my first laugh out loud moment this morning! We've always crate trained our puppies and dogs and fortunately have not had any destruction in our homes.

Dec 04, 2025 05:24 AM

Brian England

Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ

MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I would imagine that pets and small kids could certainly wreak havoc on a nicely decorated tree if precautions are not put into place, haha.

Dec 04, 2025 04:30 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC

Nina Hollander, Broker

Brian England oh for sure, Brian. Especially those curious cats. There's a reason for that phrase "curiosity killed the cat."

Dec 04, 2025 05:25 AM

Lew Corcoran

Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA

Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

What a thoughtful guide, Nina Hollander, Broker. It's packed with practical tips that make the holidays safer and less stressful for our furry friends 🙂. Thanks for sharing such useful insights that turn seasonal joy into peace of mind for pet owners!

Dec 04, 2025 12:52 PM

Lew Corcoran

East Bridgewater, MA
Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC

Nina Hollander, Broker

Lew Corcoran thanks, Lew... lots of "horror" stories about toppling Christmas trees because of pets each year. It's something I put out every year.

Dec 04, 2025 01:07 PM

Older Post

Newer Post

The Christmas Tree Survival Guide (For Pets… and You)

Comments(15)

Nina Hollander, Broker

Service Areas

Real Estate Resources

Recent Posts

Popular Posts

Additional Information