Cat-Proofing the Christmas Tree: Tips for a Merry and Mess-Free Holiday with Felines

The Christmas holiday season is one of the most exciting times of the year, bringing joy, family reunions, and colourful décor. Cat owners, on the other hand, may find decorating for Christmas difficult without a cat-proof Christmas tree plan in place.

Regardless of the type of tree and the amount of items on it, cats seem to always find a way to destroy the whole thing and give you a major fright, wondering whether Christmas trees are poisonous to cats or not (they are not, by the way).            

But don’t worry – there are ways to cat-proof your Christmas tree and secure your serenity without locking your cat out of the room!

So if you: 

• Are a first-time cat owner and wonder how to protect your Christmas tree from your feline companion;
• Know perfectly how difficult it can be to have a cat and a Christmas tree at the same time, and are looking for a reliable solution; 
• Are worrying about your cat’s safety when it comes to Christmas tree decorations.

Then, read on! This article will give you all the answers! 

Choose a cat-friendly Christmas tree

Though there is nothing that invites the holidays as well as a genuine Christmas tree, a plastic tree can be a cat-friendly one. Although cats and Christmas trees can live together, it would be advisable to exercise some care to prevent catastrophes.

So a fake tree can be a practical option if you’re looking for a truly cat-proof Christmas tree. High-quality artificial trees often come with sturdy bases and are less enticing for cats, as they don’t have the scent of a real tree. When choosing a fake tree, opt for one made from durable, pet-safe materials.

Some artificial trees even come with built-in lights and non-removable decorations, which can make them less tempting for curious paws and help keep your tree intact for many holidays to come.

If, however, you are set on getting a live Christmas tree and are still searching for the ideal real tree for you, you might want to give Nordman Fir, Noble Fir or Douglas Fir some thought since their needles shed slower and are also softer, so they are less likely to injure your pets if they ingest them. Still, they could cause stomach problems, which is something to keep in mind.

Maintaining the health of your tree also depends on keeping its trunk filled with water; just cover it to prevent your cat from drinking from it.

Picking a smaller tree can also be an ideal way to lower the chance of cat-related mishaps if your area permits it. Smaller trees can be positioned on higher surfaces and are less likely to topple over, making them more difficult for your cat to reach.

A small tree may also be just as lovely and festive as a large one, and it gives you more options for where and how to display it while remaining safely out of reach.

Keep your tree stable at the base

A sturdier Christmas tree base can be the solution to many of your problems. It would be best to carefully choose not only your tree, but the base it comes with– the heavier it is, the less likely it is to be knocked over. Consult with your supplier at the time of buying or simply add additional weight yourself. 

You can always make it prettier by covering your Christmas tree with a holiday-themed piece of cloth, solving two issues at once- your cat will not have access to the water bucket or base and you will not see it either. If you can also secure the top of your tree to a beam or a hook in the ceiling, do it.

Consider a safe location

As a pet owner, the location of your Christmas tree is no longer a matter of availability in your home or feng shui. You will have to consider placing it in an area away from any surfaces that can potentially act as a stepping stone for big jumps.

Also, keeping a distance from other glass items, shelves, or delicate furniture may be a good idea! If your tree falls, you wouldn’t want it to take anything down with it. Placing your tree in a corner or next to a solid piece of furniture would be best. This can act as a support and lessen the direction in which your tree can fall.

If the height of your tree allows for it, you can prompt it on a short table, cupboard, or even a small chair. Keeping your tree above the eye level of your cat and leaving her a floor free of items may also help keep your tree intact.

Cat-proof the tree decorations, too

There are several practices you can employ come Christmas so you and your cat can safely enjoy the holiday season:

Bring in the tree early, decorate later

Your cat and Christmas tree need to get to know each other. Bring in your tree and place it where you intend to have it for the holidays. But instead of reaching for that box of decorations right away, it will be best if you give your kitty a day or two to get familiar with it.

Too many ornaments and decorations may add to the temptation of diving into it, so it is best to take it slow. That way, your cat may be already bored with it by the time you bring out your favourite ornaments and hang them.

Put the ornaments up high

Although your cat is probably an avid jumper and climber, it still may be a good idea to focus your decoration towards the upper half of your tree, where ornaments will not be as easy to reach. You can save yourself the headache if you also avoid fragile ornaments since they can be easily destroyed by your furry companion.

Keep lights out of reach as much as possible

Do you know that cats love to chew on the lights? It will be best for everybody if light bulbs and wires are spread out either on the top half of your tree or deep around the trunk, so your cat cannot easily reach them.

Remove hooks from the ornaments

Some ornaments have hooks, some have threads. It is best to inspect them carefully and remove any metal or plastic hooks. Your cat may try to eat any of the hooks it gets access to and you can avoid this altogether by simply replacing them with a bit of thread. Use the latter to secure your decorations firmly to the tree.

Skip on the tinsel

Cats are extremely cute while playing with tinsel and the joy and laughter from this sight may lift your Christmas spirits. But the cleaning up afterwards is just too much. Gathering single pieces of tinsel for the rest of the year while worrying if it is okay for your cat to eat it can simply be avoided by using less tinsel or avoiding it altogether.

Keep poisonous decorations away

This may not be a surprise, but let us remind you – your cat will try to eat everything. So, think long and hard before buying new ornaments, deciding to place burning candles on your tree as decoration and using fake snow or any other holiday decoration.

Lilies, mistletoe, fake snow and chocolate can be dangerous to your beloved pet, so make sure to keep them some place safe.

Make Christmas tree cat repellents at home

There are quite a few things you may have to give up to keep your tree and your cat safe. However, there are some ways you can create a sort of protective circle around your Christmas tree and your cat will not even go near it. For example:

Using one or a combination of these easy ideas will guarantee you will never wonder how to get a cat out of a tree again.

Create distractions to keep your cat occupied

Another successful technique for ensuring your cat will not be bothered by your Christmas tree is to keep your pet otherwise occupied.

1. A tired cat is less likely to bring destruction upon your tree. Up your playtime and make sure your kitty is pleasantly tired and ready for their 20-hour nap.
2. Give your cat an early Christmas gift in the form of an interesting toy, or rotate the ones you have. That way it will be busy playing with a new or a well-forgotten toy and your cat will not need to venture on to your tree for entertainment.
3. Congratulate and treat your cat when it plays with the approved toys and make sure to let it know it is not okay to play with the tree.

So why do cats like Christmas trees so much?

For cats, the tree looks like an exciting new thing to explore, appealing to their instincts to climb, hunt and play. As you probably already know, cats enjoy climbing, and they are often looking for that one highest place from which they can observe their surroundings. And what more ideal spot than the top of a Christmas tree?

Furthermore, the dangling baubles resemble appetising prey, prompting playful pounces and acrobatic leaps and the occasional mess, of course. The thick branches also provide the perfect place to hide and rest.

The aroma of pine may also appeal to cats, calling them to explore this new thing. So, as we marvel at our wonderfully decorated trees, let’s remember that for our feline friends, Christmas isn’t only a celebration.

Don’t have a Christmas tree to begin with?

If this sounds way too complicated and time-consuming we will be happy to help. From Christmas tree delivery, to the perfect stand and installation service, we can take care of the hassle for you. And after all is said and done and the holidays have been thoroughly enjoyed and it is time to thank your tree and let it go, we can arrange to dispose of it responsibly.

Takeaways:

Your pet does not have to be the Grinch who stole Christmas this year. With a bit of careful consideration and preparation for the coming holidays, your cat will not even notice there is a tree full of wonderful toys in your home.

What do you plan on trying this year with your cat? Let us know how it went in the comments below and make sure to share any other useful tips and tricks you have.

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Image source: Shutterstock / Alena Haurylik