Why would my dog pee on the Christmas tree?

None of the sources we checked names Christmas trees. The AKC lists among reasons dogs mark in the house: Adding their smell to new objects or people in order to make them smell familiar. It also says: Dogs like to place their territorial stamp on new items, especially if they come from a place where there might have been another dog.

How can I stop my dog peeing on the tree?

The AKC says: Try putting a gate around the tree to keep the puppy away. It also says: To prevent your dog from marking in the house, make sure that they are not left unsupervised.

Dog Peeing on the Christmas Tree: Cleanup and Prevention

Q: How do I clean the tree skirt?

Check the care label first. For machine-washable items, Humane World for Animals says: Add a one pound box of baking soda to your regular detergent and wash as usual, air drying if possible.

Q: How do I clean the carpet under the tree?

Humane World for Animals says: Rinse the "accident zone" thoroughly with clean, cool water and blot dry. The CRI says: Blot; don't scrub. and you should still pretest any cleaner on a scrap of carpet or in an out-of-the-way area of your carpet.

Q: Should I keep my pet away from the tree water?

The ASPCA says: Make sure the tree water is covered and/or inaccessible to curious pets.

Q: Should I punish my dog for peeing on the tree?

The ASPCA says: But a dog will not learn anything by being scolded for a past accident, even one a few minutes old.

This guide covers a dog (or cat) that pees on or under an indoor Christmas tree: possible reasons, how to clean the tree skirt and the carpet or floor under the tree, keeping pets away from the tree water, and prevention. It uses what the American Kennel Club (AKC), the ASPCA, Humane World for Animals, the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) say.

Why a dog may mark the tree

None of the sources we checked says that dogs mark Christmas trees in particular. They describe marking new objects in general. The AKC's article on marking says: "Urine marking is a normal dog behavior where a dog pees small amounts on an object. Preferred objects usually have a vertical surface, like a fence post or tree trunk, but even a person's shoe or pant leg will do." Among the reasons dogs might mark in the house, it lists "Adding their smell to new objects or people in order to make them smell familiar".

A second AKC article says: "Dogs like to place their territorial stamp on new items, especially if they come from a place where there might have been another dog." No source we checked says whether a tree brought in from outdoors carries scents that trigger marking.

On the season itself, Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center says: "The holidays can bring changes to your dog's routine, which can lead to stress." It adds: "Try to maintain your dog's normal schedule for meals and walks, even if your household is busier than usual."

Humane World for Animals also describes reasons other than marking for peeing in the house, and says: "A veterinarian can also help you get to the root cause of the behavior." For more on telling the two apart, see Dog Marking Indoors: Cleanup That Discourages Repeat Marking. If your dog is new to you, see New Rescue Dog Peeing in the House: Cleanup and the First Weeks.

Sources: AKC, Dog Urine Marking vs. Peeing: How to Tell the Difference; AKC, Curbing the Issue of Dog Marking; Cornell Riney Canine Health Center, Holiday hazards for dogs; Humane World for Animals, How to stop your dog from peeing in the house.

If it is the cat

The ASPCA's cat marking article says: "Urine marking behavior can be triggered by someone moving in, moving out, getting a dog, cat or other animal, building a room, remodeling the kitchen, changing work hours, going to stay in the hospital, having a baby, even buying a new coat or bringing home groceries in an unusually large paper bag. One of the ways cats deal with this stress is by marking their territory." It does not mention Christmas trees.

Source: ASPCA, Urine Marking in Cats.

Cleaning the tree skirt

Check the care label on the tree skirt before you wash it. For machine-washable items, Humane World for Animals says: "Add a one pound box of baking soda to your regular detergent and wash as usual, air drying if possible." It gives a second wash step "If you can still see or smell the soiling". For more on washing fabric, see How to Get Pet Pee Smell Out of Clothes, Bedding and Towels. No source we checked covers tree skirts that cannot be washed.

Source: Humane World for Animals, Get urine smell and pet stains out of carpet.

Cleaning the carpet or floor under the tree

For a fresh spot on carpet, Humane World for Animals says: "For pet urine removal, soak up as much of the urine as possible. Place a thick layer of paper towels on the wet spot and cover that with a thick layer of newspaper." It then says: "Rinse the "accident zone" thoroughly with clean, cool water and blot dry."

The CRI says "Blot; don't scrub." and "you should still pretest any cleaner on a scrap of carpet or in an out-of-the-way area of your carpet." It also warns: "Don't use a steam cleaner when dealing with urine spots because the heat will set the stain and the smell." Humane World for Animals warns:

"Avoid cleaning chemicals such as ammonia or vinegar. Strong chemical odors may encourage your pet to reinforce the urine scent mark in that area."

For a rug under the tree, see How to Get Dog Pee Out of an Area Rug. For a hard floor, see our laminate and vinyl floor guide. If the smell returns after cleaning, see Pet Urine Smell Came Back After Cleaning: Why and What to Do.

Sources: Humane World for Animals, Get urine smell and pet stains out of carpet; CRI, Cleaning and Maintenance.

Keep pets away from the tree water

The ASPCA's holiday safety tips say: "Make sure the tree water is covered and/or inaccessible to curious pets." In its holiday tips, the AKC says: "Try putting a gate around the tree to keep the puppy away."

Sources: ASPCA, Holiday Safety Tips; AKC, Don't Put A Puppy Under Your Tree!.

Prevention

The quotes below are general advice on marking and house soiling. Apart from the AKC's gate tip above, none of them names a Christmas tree.

Supervision: the AKC says "To prevent your dog from marking in the house, make sure that they are not left unsupervised." Humane World for Animals says: "Watch your dog when they are indoors for signs that they are thinking about urinating and calmly take them outside."
Barriers: the AKC says "Try using baby gates or pet gates to block certain rooms". Humane World for Animals says: "Make previously soiled areas inaccessible or unattractive."
New things: Humane World for Animals says "Keep objects likely to cause marking out of reach. Items such as guests' belongings and new purchases should be placed in a closet or cabinet."
House-training refresh: Humane World for Animals says "Use techniques for house-training an adult dog to modify your dog's marking behavior." For young dogs, see Puppy Accidents: Cleanup Steps That Stop Repeat Spots.
Old marks: the AKC says of a marked spot "Even though you might not be able to smell it, they will be able to and this will continue to draw them to that area." Humane World for Animals says: "Clean soiled areas thoroughly with a cleaner specifically designed to eliminate urine odor." More on why spots draw pets back: Why Do Dogs and Cats Keep Peeing in the Same Spot?

Sources: AKC, Curbing the Issue of Dog Marking; Humane World for Animals, How to stop your dog from peeing in the house.

Do not punish after the fact

The AKC says: "If you do not catch your dog in the act and find the accident later, then it is extremely important that you do not punish your dog. Your dog can't connect what he marked an hour ago to your punishment, so it does not deter the marking and can make your dog afraid and confused." The ASPCA says: "But a dog will not learn anything by being scolded for a past accident, even one a few minutes old." Humane World for Animals says: "Punishment only increases their anxiety and may cause them to hide when they need to go to the bathroom, thereby decreasing their ability to give you a cue when they need to go outside."

Sources: AKC, Curbing the Issue of Dog Marking; ASPCA, House Training Your Dog or Puppy; Humane World for Animals, How to stop your dog from peeing in the house.

Using P-Cleaner

P-Cleaner is the Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Foaming Liquid from Pet Cleanup Kit. The product listing says: "Our rinse-free, water-based formula tackles the toughest stains and odors from urine, feces, vomit, and other organic messes on carpets, rugs, upholstery, and hard surfaces." It also says: "Works on carpets, upholstery, tile, and more.", "No scrubbing necessary" and "Odor-Free & Residue-Free". Test it on a hidden spot first, as the CRI advises above. Follow the directions on the product label.

Buy P-Cleaner on petcleanupkit.com

Quoted from the petcleanupkit.com product listing.