How can I keep my cats out of my christmas tree?

Question

The cats are part of this household and will not be forced out of the living room just because of a tree.

Answer 1

I am SO with you on your additional details! First, I got an artificial tree--a real tree is much more appealing to kittys. They will chew on the needles! None of my cats has ever actually climbed up INTO the tree, but have always loved to play with ornaments on the lower branches that they can reach. I don't quite know how to describe it, but I guess anything tall enough would work--I had/have a bamboo "stand" about 3 feet tall with an "open" top, & one of my wicker baskets fits perfectly in it. I "insert" the base of the 7-8 foot artificial tree in it, (be sure it's standing perfectly straight!) & weight the basket with rocks or anything heavy that I can find so there's no way it can tip over. If my kitty can't reach the lowest ornaments when standing on her hind feet, she'll just sit & stare, but not try to get UP into the tree. Also sure the connecting cord (lights) is toward the top of the tree so I can keep it from her reach. I found a really beautiful artificial tree, very tall & slim. (You can "shape" the branches.) For awhile, I missed the scent of live trees, but my kitty is more important to me than ANYTHING. I would never shut her in a room unless some maintenance men were working inside & they might leave the door open, which is for a short period of time. (She prefers to vanish when strangers come in, anyway.) This is HER house as much as it is mine, & she's not excluded from ANY PLACE. I've no idea what kittens might do; I've never had one since all my cats have been given to me when they're over being rambunctuous. So, that's the best advice I can give. Place it away from the floor, (& even then, I don't hang "inviting" ornaments on the very lower branches). It works 100%. Live trees are lovely, although I've always felt sad that they were cut! They're also a pain in the pot to keep watered,& the clean up of needles after. (I also keep the light cords close to the "trunk.") Good luck! & Merry Christmas!

I need to add that I NEVER use a "spray" to discourage my kitty. I simply don't believe in it. A repeated, & very calm but serious NO works wonders. Also, be extremely cautious about products that are supposed to keep cats away from things--they can be harmful. SO IS ALUMINUM FOIL if swallowed. You obviously love your cat, & there's no reason to take drastic measures, or even deny yourself your tree! There are ALWAYS alternatives.

Answer 2

I have the same problem. I have children so I have to at least try and put a tree up. Last year I bought two of those motion detectors that emit a sound that cats are supposed to hate. It didn't work at all on my cats. I actually ended up video taping them climbing all the way to the top and playing with the decorations. Boy they had a good time! I have also tried commercial sprays and they too didn't work. Maybe it is just my cats? I have my tree up right now without the decorations and am using a water gun to spray them when I notice them in it. Not sure if they will learn to stay out of it completely or only when someone is home. Another alternative someone told me about are those shock pads, but I have been too worried to try those as yet. Maybe as a last resort. Has anyone tried them and if so do they work?

Answer 3

I just got a little kitten about 2 weeks ago so I am going to be having this problem soon. I know that with my bigger cats I sprayed the indoor no stuff around the base of the tree and this helped deter them away from the tree and they didn't bother it. Hopefully, this will work on the little kitten cause I will be putting my tree up soon. Good luck.

Answer 4

Do what I did a few years ago, stop putting a tree up. Mine kept doing Bonsai Kitty leaps into the tree until they knocked it over then dragged the thing down the hallway lights, ornaments and all. They enjoyed doing this so much they didn't even care if my husband or I were there watching them or not. After that Christmas we gave up on the tree idea. At least our last tree has good memories attached to it, we still laugh about it.

Answer 5

bitter apple is what you're thinking of for the spray. ultimate element to do for retaining a cat out of tree is to no longer get a tree. as a replace, get a small one for one the table or counter. Its plenty extra useful besides. My cats by no ability stopped mountaineering or bothering the tree. Its a source of amazement or something.

Answer 6

and the best question of the day goes to...geez i have no clue how im gona get my cat to quit pickin on it=/ Last year she was just a baby nd still she managed to eat, play, pick on it. Is it bad for cats to eat it? I still find parts of the tree she brings out from her unknown hidin spots from last year!

Answer 7

good luck with this. i would like to know too... i think its the balls. if you put balls on your tree try not to. if it's not that they are just pains in the butts and will never stop... every cat i woned has done this and i always thought it was because of the balls. that and the tree smell if it's a real one. get them some new cat nip toys for the holidays untill try to preocupy them

Answer 8

Hang a dog on your tree.lol!..just kidding

Actually there is a spray you can buy in a furniture stores, which they use to spray on expensive leather sofas, so cats wont scratch on to them, cats dont even get near the couches, i think its the smell cats avoid, also i beleive its not damp wet or oily, it shoud be safe to your tree, even if you put lights on it...

Answer 9

Either put them all in a room without the tree Or put your tree in a room without them.

Answer 10

well you can put them in a different room but cats will always be curiuse
i dont think u will be able to get them away
cats like climbing and stuff so just spary them w/ water or something lols j/k but yeah try to put like something the dont like or something

not sure how to help in this situation

but again just spray them w/ water =]

-Jaz