If you have a cat or kitten, it’s almost certain they’ll be curious about your Christmas tree. After all, it’s new, intriguing, and covered in dangling decorations that are hard to resist! But don’t worry – our guide will help you keep your feline friend out of the tree and your holiday season stress-free.
When your cat jumps into your Christmas tree, it’s not just about the mess or the risk of a toppled tree. It can also pose serious dangers – if they chew on decorations like tinsel, it could lead to choking or other health issues.
We’ve enlisted the experts to share their best advice on keeping cats out of the Christmas tree so that you can enjoy a peaceful and happy holiday season!
How to keep cats out of the Christmas tree - 11 top tips
1. Secure your Christmas tree
If your cat is prone to launching itself into your tree, you’re going to need a strong, sturdy base. Look out for wide bases made of strong materials like cast iron.
If you’re still worried about it tipping over, you can also secure it from the top. Add a hook to your ceiling above the tree, and use twine to secure it in place. Even though this doesn’t keep the cat out of the tree, it will certainly help to stop it from tipping over.
It’s not just your cat that can get injured if your tree falls either. Brad W. Huffman, an expert attorney and the Senior Partner at Huffman & Huffman says, ‘The best prevention starts with stability. Make sure the tree is anchored securely to a wall or ceiling. A loose or unbalanced tree can fall in seconds if your cat tries to climb it. Even seemingly minor risks can lead to serious injuries if not addressed in time. So, it’s certainly worth addressing before the holidays are in full swing.’
2. Wrap the base of the tree
Try wrapping the base of your free in tin foil or cellophane – it’s noisy and cats don’t tend to like the texture.
If you have a real tree you should also cover the water, especially if it’s treated with additives, like plant food, as this can make your cat sick.
Brad W. Huffman continues, ‘Cats are drawn to it, and if they end up drinking treated water with additives, it could make them sick. This is a small but effective step in reducing risks.’
3. Position your tree away from other furniture
Avoid placing your tree near furniture that your cat could use as a launch pad to reach the higher branches. If possible, consider protecting the base of the tree with a fence or gate to deter your cat from approaching it altogether.
4. Cat-safe decorations
Anything dangling from your tree is going to be tempting for your kitty, so put decorations higher up the tree, trying not to hang them within easy reach.
Catrin George, animal wellbeing specialist at Animal Friends Pet Insurance says, ‘Cats love to climb and pounce, and this is nothing to worry about. But, an adventurous cat and Christmas tree combined can make for a terrible twosome. Real pine trees can pose a health risk to your cat as they are mildly toxic, but even if you opt for a fake tree, any glass decorations can become dangerous if placed within the cat’s reach.
‘To help prevent temptation, we suggest placing your Christmas tree away from surrounding furniture. This should make it harder for your cat to pounce at or on it. You may also want to consider switching to pet-safe decorations so that if your cat decides to attempt a climb, nothing will get broken and no pesky paws will get hurt.’
Try Christmas paper decorations for a safe alternative.
5. Avoid glass baubles
Glass baubles are a cherished part of many traditional Christmas trees and are often treasured heirlooms. However, if you have a mischievous cat, it’s best to keep them off your tree, as they’re delicate and can break easily.
Samantha Prior, cat behaviour and training specialist at Woodgreen Pets Charity says, ‘Glass ornaments and baubles may look pretty, but they are easily broken and can cause a lot of potential risks if you live with a cat.’
6. Avoid putting chocolate on your tree
Chocolate is toxic to both cats and dogs, and those shiny wrappers can be irresistibly tempting to your kitty. It’s best to avoid having them altogether.
Samantha Prior advises, ‘As human chocolate is toxic to pets, I’d recommend avoiding putting edible decorations on the tree to eliminate temptation. Be mindful of what presents you place under the tree too – your cat will be able to sniff out anything edible thanks to their amazing sense of smell!’
7. Let your cat or kitten smell your tree and decorations
This tip might seem a bit unusual, but it can be effective in some cases. Allow your cat to sniff the branches, decorations, and tree stand – once they’ve had a chance to investigate, they may lose interest altogether.
A Reddit user stated: ‘We let our 16-week-old kitten smell everything. The tree, the stand, the skirt, the ornaments. She eventually got bored of smelling everything and now doesn't even look at the tree. It's now a piece of furniture that is ignored. Before putting on the ornaments, we left the tree up for several days, and slowly added things.’
8. Redirect their attention
Get your cat a toy or something new to play with when you put your tree up – this can help to redirect their attention elsewhere. We found this brilliant tree-shaped cat scratcher – it’s so cute and will fit right in with your Christmas decor. Win-win!
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9. Supervise your cat
Of course, you can’t supervise your cat all the time, but it’s a good idea to let them near the tree only when you’re around during the first few days. This way, you can monitor how they react. When you’re not there, simply close the door to the room. This is especially important if it’s your cat’s first Christmas and you’re unsure how they’ll behave.
10. Use a cat-safe spray
If nothing else works, and they won’t leave the tree alone, then try spraying a cat-safe deterrent around the bottom of your tree. This should ensure they steer clear of it. Just be absolutely certain the product is safe for cats, as many essential oils can be harmful to them.
11. Opt for an artificial tree
As you may know, real Christmas trees tend to shed needles, creating a mess that could attract your cat, especially if the scent is inviting to them.
Andrew Leal, CEO of Waggel said, ‘Although the needles of a real Christmas tree aren’t toxic, they can cause harm if swallowed, potentially irritating a pet’s mouth or leading to digestive issues and even internal injury. For cats, pine needles can become lodged in the soft palate, while sharp needles may damage the intestines of both cats and dogs.’
Following that advice, it makes sense to opt for a high-quality artificial tree, and you can use this year after year too.
How to keep cats out of the Christmas tree this holiday season
Following these tips on how to keep cats out of the Christmas tree you can ensure that you and your cat have a wonderful (and safe) Christmas time. They’ll be less stressed, and so will you!
Artificial trees that will complete your decorations
Opting for an artificial tree is the safest option for your pets. Take a look at our best artificial trees to help your decision.