If you're a cat owner, whether it's your first kitten or you've had a feline friend for a number of years, you'll know they are very curious. So, anything new that appears in your home will be thoroughly investigated. The same goes for the Christmas tree.
Baubles, tinsel, a tree, it's all so tempting! No wonder cats want to play with, climb or sometimes attack your traditional Christmas decorations. However, obviously we don't want them to hurt themselves or break anything fragile. Short of not having a tree or opting for a Christmas tree alternative, if you're looking for ways to cat-proof your Christmas tree here are some top tips to keep them away from your festive decorations.
Are Christmas trees dangerous to cats?
The good news is Christmas trees are on the whole safe to your cat, unless they decide to try eating it. Pine needles have oils that can be irritating to a cat's mouth and stomach, and can cause excessive drooling, vomiting, or diarrhoea.
The water from Christmas trees can also be toxic for cats and kittens, as it often contains preservatives and chemicals from the tree.
If they play with the tree a little too roughly there's also the very real risk they could knock it over, potentially harming themselves, or others, in the process.
It's also important to note that the Christmas lights could pose a potential safety risk if chewed or damaged. For these reasons it's a good idea to not leave your Christmas tree unattended with your cat.
10 ways to keep your cat away from the Christmas tree
1 Citrus
Cats are not fans of citrus smells, so using some orange or lemon peel, or even purchasing a citrus spray scent to spray around the base should make them steer clear of the tree.
2 Foil
While foil rolled in a ball makes for a fun kitty toy, most cats don't like the sensation of foil under their paws. Wrapping some around the base of the tree should deter them from climbing it.
3 Acclimatise them to the new object
Hold off on decorating your tree and let your cat get used to it before you add baubles and lights. Even giving them a day or two can help to acclimatise them, so they'll be bored of it by the time you add decorations and might not even notice!
4 Shatter-proof decorations
Considering where you place the more fragile baubles or sentimental personalised Christmas baubles and saving them for higher branches may keep them safe from investigating felines. Use shatter-proof or soft felt decorations lower down, and perhaps even leave a gap at the bottom to avoid any decorations dangling within reach of your cat's paws.
5 Get a good tree stand
Whether your tree is real or fake, ensuring it is properly secured will help prevent any 'TIMBER' moments. Look out for a sturdy tree stand with a wide base.
6 Use a tree skirt
If you have a real tree the likelihood is you'll give it a drink regularly to help keep your Christmas tree alive for longer. The issue is cats think you're giving them an extra drinking bowl. A tree skirt will not only protect the trunk of your tree from any keen climbers, but will also prevent your cats from reaching the water beneath your tree, which could be harmful to their digestive system.
7 Location
Carefully think about where you put your tree - are there any items of furniture nearby which your cat likes to climb onto? Any potential perches they could launch themselves from? Removing these temptations from the tree zone should reduce chances of your cats reaching for the heights.
7 Secure your baubles
Using plastic ornament hangers or clips will help prevent them from falling off. Avoid the wire hangers as these can be tempting for cats to play with if they fall off, and could do a lot of harm if ingested.
8 Alarm bells
Place some bell ornaments at the base of the tree to alert you if your cat goes investigating. This way if you're not in the room at that precise moment you can hear them, and come and check what they're doing.
9 Lights
Wrap lights tightly in your tree to avoid your cats getting tangled up in them, or accidentally pulling on a cord and pulling the whole thing over. You can get cable tidy tubes or boxes to keep the wires safe in.
10 Get them a better alternative
It can be confusing to cats that you've just bought this great new toy into the house but you keep telling them to get away, so why not treat them to an early Christmas present and get them a scratching post or tower (which may also help stop your cat scratching the furniture), or some actual new cat toys. Be sure to praise them when they ignore the tree too, whether with treats or attention.