Christmas Lights + Cats = Shock?

Question

I have two cats: ages 4 and 2. Well I don't either of them have actually ever seen a Christmas. They were both adopted from a humaine society - the 2 year old lived there her whole life and the 4 year old had been there for all but 7 months of his. I'm scared to put my Christmas tree lights up and all the other lights. I'm scared that they are going to chew on them and get shocked. I know this is sorta stupid to be scared of, but my cats are my babies and I don't want anything bad to happen to either of them. Anyone else share this fear? Has anyone had a problem with their cat getting shocked from Christmas tree lights? Is there anything I can do to keep them from getting hurt? We do have this spray that is supposed to keep them away from no-no areas, but it doesn't seem to work.

Answer 1

I have two cats and one kitten. My oldest cat I got from the Humane Society at 6 months, and I had for almost a year before Christmas. He never bothered with the lights. The other cat and the kitten I got a month or so before I put up my Christmas lights. Both cats were interested in the light wires, but I did the following so they wouldn't get hurt. I made sure to put the tree and lights up a little early so they would get used to the wire, but I didn't turn them on. Then, when I saw them starting to play with the wire, I gave them a little squirt from a squirt bottle, until they associated play with the wire and tree with getting wet, which they didn't like. After, I would try to redirect them to a toy mouse or something else in a different area of the room then the lights. This only took a few times before they got it into their heads that the Christmas tree is a no-no. My tree is up right now, and if I leave, I am sure to either put the end of the light string up out of kitten's reach, or I inspect it before plugging it in for teeth marks (this is for your home's protection), and so far, so good. As long as your lights aren't plugged in while you are "training" the kitties, you should be ok. Remember, water and electricity don't mix! :^) Don't worry, they learn quickly!

BTW...for the person above that suggested the moth balls...just FYI...mothballs can be toxic, as can continued inhalation of the fumes. Be careful.

Answer 2

Cat Christmas Lights

Answer 3

Hi there

We have four cats and a couple of them do get very interested in the tree and all the things on it, including the lights. (The other two don't bother at all but I guess that is just their different personalities - or perhaps because they are older and therefore staider!)

With regard to the lights, we have found the only sure, safe way is to switch them off when we are out of the room. (It's dark by the time we get home from work and we have shutters for security, so passers-by don't tend to get to see the tree anyway.) I feel sure that if they did bite into the wires they would get a fatal shock - but even if I'm wrong, better safe than sorry!

We also hang all breakable decorations at the top of the tree and keep any tinsel out of cat-reach. (As a number of people have noted, tinsel can be very dangerous for cats.)

Hope this helps and well done for adopting two kitties - hope you all have a great Christmas!

P.S. I am pretty ignorant (=wimpy!) about electricity and therefore always err on the side of caution!!! My husband is more relaxed about it and doesn't particularly think the tree lights would be a problem as they are low voltage - but I think checking with the manufacturer would be the best bet.

But then there's also the possibility of them getting tangled up in the wires and caught by their necks if they start playing around in the tree. So, all in all, I would say: just keep the lights on when you are in the room and keep the kitties out of the room when you also aren't in it. They are such inquisitive little creatures, you just never know what they are going to get up to next!

Answer 4

cats are smart, if they don't like what happens to them when they do something, they will stop.

Your cats Might chew the wires, they might not. I have 4 and they never do. Now, trying to CLIMB the tree, that's another story.

The small lights are very low current anyhow, so, most likely, the worst that will happen is your cat will get a little shock. Much like too much static electricity. Put them up when you can monitor them for several hours, even a day or two ( during thanksgiving, if you'll be home) and watch the cats. Usually a "new" thing will interest them, but they'll get bored and leave it alone soon enough.

Callthe manufacture of your lights and ask them "is it safe for pets" if not, find some that are. I'm sure your Vet or the Humane Society can suggest some.

Or, skip the lights all together if it really concerns you. Use mirrored ornaments (plastic!, in case kitties knock them down) But, NO Tinsel or garland. If they eat it, it could really hurt them, costing you a ton in surgery fees or even kill them.

really, lights are the least of your worries, not with i think about it :(

Owning a pet is like having a baby, your exactly correct. Get some books like "cats for dummies" and "common sense cat and kitten care" To keep on hand for reference, and error on the side of caution If you THINK your cats might get hurt, don't do it.

Answer 5

Christmas trees and cats can sometimes be a problem, I know.

If you really want to use lights ( which of course is understandable ), I would suggest lighting only the upper half of the tree. You can hang the excess bulbs on the wall in a loop on a hook. As for the cord that runs up to the looped bulbs, you could either staple or securely tape it to the wall. Also, don't set the bulbs on flash ... just have them on continuous so that the cats will be less attracted to them.

I don't think your biggest danger is with the lights, though.

You need to be most concerned about tinsel - don't use it. The shine and glimmer of the tinsel attracts the cats; once they get a hold of it they could choke on it.

Also try not to use glass balls. Cats will bat them off the tree and when they break, the cats could get hurt.

The first Christmas is always the big test. It gets easier each year.

Good luck and Merry Christmas to you and your entire family !!

Answer 6

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Christmas Lights + Cats = Shock?
I have two cats: ages 4 and 2. Well I don't either of them have actually ever seen a Christmas. They were both adopted from a humaine society - the 2 year old lived there her whole life and the 4 year old had been there for all but 7 months of his. I'm scared to put my Christmas tree lights...

Answer 7

They will go for anything that dangles from the tree so the lights are the least of your problems.
You could change your lights to Low Voltage this would stop their eyes from lighting up but the tree is another problem.
Make sure the tree is anchored down well enough so that if they decide to climb up the inside they will not topple it over, usually once they have had a fright it takes time for them to go back.

Good Luck.

Answer 8

I know this sounds a bit strange, but I've seen people say to use lemon or orange peel. Cats are supposedly repelled by the smell of it. They have a very sensitive sense of smell that's more acute than ours, so if you know of something that you like the smell of that they don't, try using it around the tree.

Answer 9

i wouldn't worry about the lights,if you see them start to chew on the cords just say no in a stern voice,and they will learn.
they would need to be chewing on the cords for a long time in order for there teeth to go through the coating over the cords.
although they may swat the ornaments
but if they try to climb it,and send it crashing to the floor,they do this once and they will scare themselves into not doing it again.

but do not use tinsel on your tree,tinsel is very bad if they chew on that it can bind up their stomachs really bad and cause bad internal problems,and some have even said its poisonous to animals.

Answer 10

I have had siamese cats for years and never had a worry with them chewing anything, more likely they will try climb the tree with the obvious results, if you are worried that they will chew, try putting the cord in one of those spiral cord reducer things, sorry I dont know the name, and I am sure they wont be able the chew through that.