Cats are drawn to Christmas trees by instinct. The height, the dangling decorations, the unfamiliar scent. An unprotected tree rarely makes it through the season intact. But that doesn’t mean you have to choose between your cat and your Christmas.
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There are practical ways to cat-proof your Christmas tree without locking your cat out of the room. Regardless of the type of tree you choose or how much you put on it, the tips below will help you keep it standing. And yes, Christmas trees are not poisonous to cats (they are not, by the way), though needles and tree water can still cause stomach upset, so caution is still worth it.
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;
Then, read on! This article will give you all the answers!
TL;DR
Use an artificial tree or a slow-needle-shedding species (Nordmann Fir, Noble Fir, Douglas Fir) to reduce physical risk to your cat.
Weight the base heavily and, if possible, anchor the tree top to a ceiling hook or beam to prevent toppling.
Place the tree in a corner, away from furniture your cat could use as a launchpad for jumping.
Keep ornaments, lights, and wires on the upper half of the tree; remove metal hooks and skip tinsel entirely.
Use citrus peels, tin foil, or a homemade citrus deterrent spray at the base as safe, DIY cat repellents.
Introduce the undecorated tree a day or two before decorating so your cat can lose interest in it first.
Increase playtime and rotate toys during the Christmas period to reduce your cat’s fixation on the tree.
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 Nordmann Fir, Noble FirorDouglas 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. Make sure to cover the water reservoir to prevent your cat from drinking from it. Tree water can contain bacteria or preservative additives from the stand that may cause stomach upset if ingested.
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.
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.
The best location is a corner with no nearby furniture your cat could use as a launchpad. This limits the approach angles available and gives the tree something solid to lean against if nudged.
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.
Cats frequently chew on light cables, which poses a real electrical hazard. 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
Tinsel is genuinely dangerous for cats. Strands of tinsel are what vets call a linear foreign body, and if your cat swallows one, it can cause intestinal obstruction or bunching, which is a veterinary emergency. The cleaning up afterwards is also a headache. Avoiding tinsel altogether is the simplest call you can make.
Keep poisonous decorations away
This may not be a surprise, but let us remind you: cats are drawn to novel textures and scents and will often mouth or chew decorations they find interesting. 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, holly, poinsettia, fake snow and chocolate can be dangerous to your beloved pet, so make sure to keep them some place safe. Holly berries are toxic to cats, and poinsettia can cause oral irritation and gastrointestinal upset, so both are worth keeping well out of reach during the festive season.
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:
Use citrus wisely – Did you know cats do not enjoy citrus smells at all? Leaving dried citrus fruits or their peels around the base of your Christmas tree may do the trick. Try clementine and orange peels for an even more festive feeling.
Tinfoil everything – Another thing cats do not enjoy is tin foil. The sound and feeling on their paws is something your cat may try once, before forever giving up on the idea. Wrapping the base of your tree or placing it under your tree stand will deter your cat from climbing or chewing it.
Homemade citrus deterrent spray – You can make a simple spray by combining two cups of lemon juice and one cup of white vinegar in a spray bottle. This isn’t the same as commercial bitter apple spray (which uses a different active compound), but the citrus scent works well as a deterrent. Spray your Christmas tree base and the lower branches. If you’d prefer a ready-made option, pet-safe deterrent sprays are available from most pet shops. It is a product completely safe for pets, but something about that citrus smell will make your cat forget about going near that corner of your home.
Using one or a combination of these easy ideas will significantly reduce the chance you will ever 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.
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.
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.
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.
Cats are drawn to Christmas trees for three instinctive reasons: they love climbing to high observation points, dangling baubles mimic prey and trigger their hunting instinct, and the pine scent is genuinely new and interesting to them. The tree isn’t mischief. It’s a perfectly logical target from your cat’s point of view.
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.
Real Christmas trees (pine, fir, spruce) are mildly toxic. Needles can cause gastrointestinal irritation if eaten, and the water in the stand can harbour bacteria or preservative additives that may cause stomach upset. They are not severely poisonous, but caution is still sensible. Artificial trees are non-toxic, though some have sharp wire tips at the branch ends that could catch a curious cat. Cover the water reservoir and keep fallen needles swept up.
Is tinsel dangerous for cats to eat?
Yes. Tinsel is classed as a linear foreign body, meaning a long, flexible strand that, if swallowed, can wrap around the base of the tongue or travel into the intestines and cause obstruction or bunching of the gut. This is a serious veterinary emergency. If you suspect your cat has eaten tinsel or any similar string-like material, contact your vet promptly. The safest option is to avoid tinsel on your tree entirely.
Can I use a cat repellent spray on my Christmas tree?
Yes. Pet-safe deterrent sprays are widely available from pet shops and can be applied to the tree base and lower branches. Look for products specifically labelled as safe for use around cats. You can also make a simple homemade citrus deterrent by mixing two cups of lemon juice with one cup of white vinegar in a spray bottle. Always check the product label before use, and avoid spraying directly onto electrical lights or cables.
Don’t have a Christmas tree to begin with?
If you’d rather hand the whole thing off to someone else, we can help. From Christmas tree delivery to the right stand and full installation, we take care of the setup from start to finish. And when the season is over and it’s time to say goodbye to the tree, we can arrange to dispose of it responsibly, so you don’t have to think about that either.
Looking for a real Christmas tree?
Have one delivered to your home and installed in your stead.
Living with a cat and a Christmas tree takes a bit of planning, but it is absolutely doable. Choose the right tree species or go artificial, weight the base, position the tree sensibly, keep the tricky decorations high up, and give your cat something better to do with its time. None of these steps are complicated on their own.
Put a few of them together and your cat will barely give the tree a second glance. That leaves you free to actually enjoy the season, which is the whole point.
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.
