This Christmas, a vet has warned against a popular viral decor trend that could be a potential hazard to pets.

Dr. Anna Foreman, an in-house veterinarian for Everypaw Pet Insurance, told Newsweek about the dangers posed by ribbons, bows, and tinsel, which are gaining popularity as alternatives to traditional baubles.

The popularity of ribbon bows in particular has seen a 129 percent increase in online searches for "velvet bows for Christmas tree" and an 86 percent rise in searches for "Christmas tree bows" compared to last year. However, experts like Foreman are stressing the importance of thinking about pet safety when decorating.

"The shiny or soft nature of ribbon and tinsel makes them very attractive to animals, particularly young or playful cats," Foreman said.

Once ingested, these materials can become lodged in the gastrointestinal tract, causing a dangerous obstruction. "The gastrointestinal tract will continue to try to move the material through, leading to a corrugation effect where the intestines become bunched up," Foreman said. Left untreated, this can result in a rupture and life-threatening sepsis.

As different ideas for bow decor continue to pop up online, most pet owners are considering their animals' welfare during the festive season, like Katarina who recently shared her DIY bow-decorated tree on TikTok.

Katarina proudly showed off her tree in the clip, and she said that she has been cautious when it comes to her feline. "Luckily, my cat has no interest in the Christmas tree or decorations, but I still keep an eye on her to make sure nothing dangerous happens," she told Newsweek.

Foreman urged pet owners to think beyond aesthetics. "Even if they are put high up on a Christmas tree, animals can still climb or knock over the tree to reach them," she said. Foreman offered some advice for pet owners thinking about their festive decorations, and ideas that may prevent disaster.

• Avoid string-like decorations: These include ribbons, bows, tinsel, and lametta, all of which can pose a choking or ingestion hazard.
• Secure the tree: Place it in a location inaccessible to pets or use a protective barrier.
• Skip yellow and blue hues: These colors are visible to pets and can attract their attention.
• Choose sturdy, unbreakable ornaments: Plastic decorations are safer than glass, which can shatter and cause injuries.

Ribbons aren't the only danger at Christmas, either. Foreman also said there are risks posed by lights, which can be chewed, and edible decorations such as those made of chocolate, which is toxic to animals.