Purrfect Holiday Decorating for Pets

The Treat Tree: Mix homemade dog biscuits into your tree decor.  There are some great recipes online.  Place a hole into the unbaked cookie with a straw, bake, and set to cool.  Place ribbon through the biscuit to hang on the tree.

To make these treats interactive, attach a small label to each ribbon that lists a trick or behavior you would like your pup to perfect. Each day you can pull a treat, or allow your pup to pick, and have him complete the task before receiving the treat.

For cats, simply use a soft treat and add ornament hooks. Many cat owners express a problem keeping their cat out of their tree, if your kitty likes to use your tree as a hiding place, the treat tree may not be a good option; consider a pet tree without edibles or create a second tree as the treat tree to act as a decoy for your cat.

The Pet Tree: In addition to homemade treats, add candy cane rawhide, embellished pet ribbon, small picture frames with your pet’s photo, and pet related ornaments to your tree.  Finish it off with a small picket fence to keep create a barrier for your pet for the ultimate pet themed Christmas tree.

The Treat Wreath: Make a wreath out of dog treats.  Purchase a Styrofoam wreath form at your local craft store.  Simply make additional dog biscuits or purchase Milkbones at the grocery store.  Hot glue each bone to your wreath form until the entire wreath form is covered, layering and overlapping bones.  Add dog embellished ribbon and your wreath is ready to great your guests at the front door or anywhere in the home.

For cats, substitute Milkbones with small cat toys.

A Mantle to Bark About: In addition to stockings and traditional holiday décor, include your pet by adding black and white photography of your pet in a silver or gold frame.  Take a photo of your pet dressed in the holiday spirit or simply in front of your Christmas tree.  You can easily alter this photo to black and white using your computer or take it to your photo center.  Print your photos to the size of the frame and add to your holiday mantle collection.  You can also search for pet related holiday accessories at your local HomeGoods store.  Don’t forget to add a stocking for your pet.  Petco offers some great stocking stuffers.

Incorporating your pet into the décor can be fun for the whole family, whether you go all out in a pet themed holiday décor or simply include your pet by adding a few pet friendly embellishments.  It’s the purrfect holiday reward for your perfect pet.

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Darlene White is an Accredited Staging Professional and owner of Simplicity Home Staging & Design, a home staging firm that specializes in northern New Jersey homes. She is also a jounalist and the staging correspondent for Final Hunt Real Estate Showcase DVD Magazine, with a featured segment entitled "Staging to Sell."

Darlene has staged numerous homes some of which have received offers before they could be entered into the MLS.

She can be reached at 862-268-0514 by the web at simplicityhomestaging.com or via email at info@simplicityhomestaging.com