My kitten likes to climb things, is there any way I can have a Christmas tree?

Question

My fiance says no, because Pickles will just climb it and pull it down but I love having a tree. Cat owners out there, what have you done?

Answer 1

I've had real trees rather than artificial. They didn't seem to climb them ... just climbed the curtains to get their paws on a tasty ornament
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/Warmpurrs/Bad_Rico.jpg

Or stood on the back of the settee to tap away at something shiny
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/Warmpurrs/Bagtree.jpg

I did lose most of the ornaments off the lower branches though ... however, I put ubreakable ones down there & they survived being batted about the floor & carried off in willing teeth.

I've got a large piece of drainpipe, about knee high (a cut off - you might be able to get something similar in a builders merchants) & I push the tree down into it, weighting the very bottom. It seems really sturdy & has not (yet) been pulled over. The drainpipe isn't too bad, it's black with ridges & doesn't actually look too out of place.

The only problem I've had is that last year my tree was not so good & shed pine needles everywhere ... everytime the cats or the dog brushed by it, needles showered everywhere. I suppose I should have probably put a pot with water or compost in it inside the drainpipe to plant the tree in first.

Good luck - don't give up on having a tree - just don't put any really precious ornaments on it.

Answer 2

If you have an artificial tree, then you are on a non starter unless as stated above you anchor it to something behind.
If you buy a real tree, chose one with a longer trunk and plant in a very large bucket filled with heavy stones and gravel.
I have had cats and kittens all my life and never had any problems. I have a box of baubles and decorations which are made of plastic or acrylic and will not break if pulled or patted and I use icicle strings rather than tinsel as it does not attract the cats like tinsel does. I also use bows made of florist ribbon, which do not cost a lot to make and it does not matter if they get ripped to pieces. Put the more glamorous and valued decorations near the top.
You will find that after the initial excitement Pickles will lose interest. Don't deprive yourself of the enjoyment you get from having a tree. The time will come when you get older and the hassle of putting it up will supersede your enjoyment of having a tree. So enjoy whilst you can. As long as you take precautions so that no accident occurs and your kitten comes to no harm through smashing glass ornaments, it is not a big issue. Next year Pickles will be more mature and you can have whatever you fancy on the branches.
The time will come when you have to take the same precautions when you have a toddler around, so it is good training.
Happy Christmas!

Answer 3

I had a new kitten in november last year and I had a tree it looked lovelly when I put it up but within a week it was pretty much wrecked and I was constantly picking decorations up off the floor. One day we were watching tv and suddenly the tree started wobbling and then fell over completely next thing we knew the cat appear from amongst the mess, she had climbed right up to the top of it and caused it to topple.

Sorry for babling on but just an example how I found having a christmas tree with a kitten. I would only put one up if you have a room that you can keep her out of otherwise honestly it is more work than its worth. I have had to buy a new tree this year because the new one I bought last year is now ruined. Next year it'll be fine though because they settle down as they get older.

Answer 4

Yes! Let the kitten climb in the tree, it's a perfect opportunity for it to have an extra play thing! I had 3 kittens all at once and they climbed in it all the time. As long as it's kitty litter trained and wont pee on your presets and your tree is set up so that it isn't likely to fall over. You just have to watch out for anything tied too tightly around the tree which could get caught if the kitten fell. Otherwise, put the tree in a room the kitten can't get to. I really haven't found anything else which keeps them away but something else might work so try a few things. Good luck!

Answer 5

This doesn’t sound very nice but it could work:
Put some clean water in a sprayer then as your cat starts inspect or move around the tree give it a quick spray, to give it a shock. The cat wont stop loving you or coming to you, it will just be weary of going near the tree as it knows what it gets, don’t use it all the time when your cats naughty, you should use it every so often only when the cat goes near the tree that way it would be more effective.
Hope it works. Merry Christmas

Answer 6

Actually, yes. I have loads of friends who have Christmas trees every year, one has 14 cats of different ages. Kitten may climb a bit, but if you check with pet shops round, they will be able to tell you how to eliminate it.
A small kitten in a Christmas tree makes for a cute photo opportunity, by the way.
All you might want to do that I recall off hand is to not use garland or tinsel because puppies and kittens (including grown cats) may swallow and it block their intestines.
If put in a solid base, the tree ought not topple. Summer's idea, below mine, tying it sounds like a fab idea.

Answer 7

My cats climb up trees and window sills etc. But my X/mas tree has always been safe... maybe becuase I shooosh them away from it the moment they show any sign of curiosity... you know - nip it in the bud and all that... But then I never let the cats out into the living room for long unattended... I mean, I am always there when they are (almost always) and I keep them with me in my room when I go to bed for the night. So, what I am saying is, I NEVER give the cats OPPORTUNITY to climb the X'mas tree!!

Answer 8

Ive got 2 kittens and i know this year is going to be a nightmare, i'm just going to tie the tree to the wall if you see what i mean, cant really describe it err... just like string tied round the middle of the tree then pinned to the wall?? It'll stop them pulling it over at least, it will still look a mess after 5 mins tho, might just put it up on christmas eve!

Answer 9

I've got 4 cats and there's no way I'm putting a tree up. The cats would love it (ooooh, sparkly things), but I'd get fed up constantly having to re-erect it every 5 minutes.

Answer 10

My cat always used to climb the christmas tree but after a few days she got bored. now she sits at the bottom of it and taps the baubles the make them spin, Oh and don't put imitation robins on as i did last year she went nuts for them.