Christmas and the holidays are a time meant for happy memories and fun experiences, not a trip to the emergency vet. One of the best parts of Christmas for many people is a beautiful live Christmas tree. As lovely as they are, they can be dangerous to dogs in many different ways. Here are a few tips to help keep your dog safe around your Christmas tree.

Place your tree in a stable and secure tree stand. Many trees can tower over us, taller than six feet and very heavy. Some veterinarians and pet sitters even recommend securing trees with fish line or rope to ensure that the tree won't fall over on a mischievous pet.

Sweep up the needles. Christmas tree needles can cause irritation in the mouth and stomach, and can even be toxic to some pets. Many fake trees have small wires through the branches that can cause intestinal blockages.

Intestinal blockages can also be caused by tinsel and artificial snow. Most of the time, if tinsel is ingested, it requires surgery to have it removed. It's best to leave it off the tree altogether. Many people like to decorate with artificial snow, which can be mildly toxic and, if ingested in large amounts, can cause intestinal blockages.

One of the most common and dangerous threats associated with Christmas trees is the electrical cords from the lights. Chewing or playing with electrical cords can cause electrical shock and death. Many cords also become very hot when they're plugged in for long periods of time, which can cause burns. Always unplug lights when they're not in use, and use Bitter Apple or other deterrent spray to keep interested animals away from electrical cords.

Keep breakable ornaments away from a pet's reach. Shattered glass ornaments can cause cuts or tears in paws, the mouth and intestines. Keep breakable ornaments near the top of the tree.

Try to avoid decorating the tree with any food, such as candy canes or gingerbread. It can be very tempting, but can cause sugar problems, intestinal issues or choking hazards.

Please keep the tinsel off the tree too.

Finally, keep your dog from drinking the water out of the tree stand. Many times the tree can have bacteria or fungus from the outdoors, which may be harmful to your pet. Many tree distributors will give out additives with preservatives to put into the tree water, which can be toxic to dogs.