Yahoo Lifestyle 
Kmart shoppers' major warning about popular Christmas item: 'Life-threatening'
A vet reveals that your Christmas set-up could be dangerous to your pets.
Kmart shoppers have been left divided over a popular Christmas item this festive season. The retailer's 'H' Tree is a flocked slim pre-lit Christmas tree that has become a hit online in recent years thanks to the fact it can fit in smaller homes and you don't need to add lights.
However, some people have warned that the trees could be unsuitable for homes with pets. A vet has also told Yahoo Lifestyle that flocked trees can be "life-threatening" to our furry friends.
Major warning over viral Kmart Christmas tree
Pet owner @brunchgirl_ AKA Bronte shared a video of herself setting up the tree online, telling her followers, "I got my hands on the viral Kmart H Tree. This tree is a six-foot, pre-lit, flocked tree and they go viral every year and they sell out at Kmart every year. I found one, and I went straight to Kmart and I got it! So, let's assemble it."
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"[My] biggest goal in life is having a tree that I do not have to string lights on, so I am so happy. This gal was also only $50, which is an absolute steal."
She added, "This one is only in two pieces – easy. I think the biggest part about tree decorating is fluffing, so that's what I'll be doing for the next hour."
While many loved the set-up, others offered a serious warning for cat and dog owners after Bronte showed her dog was 'helping' her put the tree together.
"Be careful with pets, that white stuff on the leaves is poisonous," one user warned.
"Flocked trees are poisonous to cats and dogs 😳," another added.
Vet's warning about flocked Christmas trees and pets
Dr Natalie Slade of The Beaches Vet tells Yahoo Lifestyle, "Whilst many flocked trees are made of non-toxic material, some flocked trees are made with chemicals that are not safe for pets. If your pet is licking or ingesting the flocked parts of your tree, this may carry the risk of toxicity.
"The good news is in most cases it would require a decent amount of ingestion for a cat or dog to become poisoned or develop life-threatening symptoms."
What are the symptoms of a pet being exposed to flocked trees?
"Usually, the first symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy," Dr Slade says. "It is also worth noting that ingestion of Christmas decorations or parts of Christmas trees of any variety can lead to gastrointestinal upsets, or even a blockage in the intestines or stomach."
If your pet comes into contact with a flocked tree, Dr Slade recommends you keep a close eye on them "If your pet comes into contact with a flocked tree, it is always best to monitor closely for any symptoms of illness or toxicity, such as vomiting, diarrhoea or lethargy. If you are aware of an ingestion of a large amount of the flocked areas it is best to contact your veterinarian promptly for advice, and they may want to see your pet at the vet straight away."
How to keep pets away from flocked trees
She also provided some helpful tips on keeping pets away from flocked trees, including:
Keeping the tree away from areas where your pet eats or sleeps or spends most of their time,
Purchase a small playpen to run around the base of the tree so that pets cannot get as close to the tree (also a good idea to keep them away from presents!)
Supervise your pets around the area of the Christmas tree to avoid excessive ingestion of flocking
Clean around the base of the tree daily to remove any residue/flocking that may have dropped from the tree onto the floor.
Kmart shoppers divided over pre-lit Christmas tree
Meanwhile, many shoppers loved the tree, with one commenting on Bronte's video, "YES! I got my H tree too. Soon as I saw it, I grabbed it! It’s funny because I think I got the last one. The one I got, it looked like someone intentionally hid it."
"The tree is soo cute! Just need a fluff it out lil more lol!" another said.
"I got it for my mum perfect for her little apartment for herself so she feels a holiday feeling while not at mine," someone else added.
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Not everyone agreed, though, with one person writing, "THAT goes viral and sells out?! Looks like a cheap piece of trash."
"I guess they are cheap cos they are ugly," a second wrote.
"I got this last year. Didn't realise it was so popular," a third said. "That flocking got all over the house and up my nose last year."
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