2006-12-13 14:15:09 · 19 answers · asked by lulupink 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Cats like to chew on plants. Be careful with poinsettias. Although not severely toxic, poinsettias can give your cats an upset belly with some vomiting. To help keep your cats happy and away from household plants, provide them with wheatgrass to chew on.
The Christmas Tree. Pets adore these as much as you do. Cats like to climb on them until they fall over. Dogs prefer to body slam them. Pets and youngsters can get cut feet from stepping on broken ornaments. Dogs and cats sometimes like to mark trees with urine. Dogs like to eat ornaments and candy canes, including the wrappers. Many pets like to chew on light cords, which can shock or kill them. Dogs and cats eat tinsel, which can lodge in their intestines and cause a blockage.
If you have pets, anchor your Christmas tree to the wall in two spots for stability. Avoid all edible ornaments, and avoid putting breakable ornaments near the bottom of the tree. Tape light cords against the tree or wall, so they aren't lying on the floor, inviting your pets to chew on them. Avoid tinsel altogether if you have young, playful pets. They see it as a moving, irresistible toy.
Make sure your pets get plenty of attention and exercise during the holiday season. This makes them less likely to get into mischief. Check with your veterinarian for more suggestions.
2006-12-13 14:22:32 · answer #1 · answered by Serena 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the cats are free-roaming and the Christmas tree is in an open room, you can only minimize the damage - not prevent it. Don't put any antique or highly breakable ornaments on the tree. There are plenty of great, glass-looking plastic ornaments - when they're knocked off, just replace them higher up the tree. Also, avoid the stringy tinsel - could cause problems if your cat eats it. Leaving a few harmless dangly ornaments towards the bottom of the tree will give him/her something to play with. I've had 13 Christmases with cats, and either you cut the tree or cats off from the rest of the house, or you just live with it. It's much more fun to live with it.
2006-12-13 14:51:28 · answer #2 · answered by Betharoopie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a number of cat repellents which you can spray/use near the Christmas tree, which may be helpful. Bitter-apple is often successful if your animals are chewing the tree. Also, do not allow your pets to chew on any of the decorations, as many things are toxic to cats (garland/tinsel is especially dangerous when ingested). You could also try keeping the cats out of the room, or in cages, but I would recommend trying the sprays first, since your cats are not likely to enjoy enclosure.
2006-12-13 14:27:28 · answer #3 · answered by katluver005 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put in a water sprinkler a few drops of lemon and eucalyptus essential oils, and shake well. Spray the tree with that, and every time the cat tries to get to the tree, spray them a little bit too. They HATE the smell of strong oils, but it's harmless.
You get a win-win situation: the tree smells nice and the animal stays away.
2006-12-14 00:36:09 · answer #4 · answered by Ymmo the Heathen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can wait with a spray bottle of water and shoot the cat when it commits the crime. After about 3 times, the cat should stop.Sometimes putting the tree in a baby's play pen works.Have a nice holiday.
2006-12-13 14:23:47 · answer #5 · answered by firestarter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah i think its natural... cats like trees. It depends on the cats though really... if you have a younger or playful cat its more likely to attack a tree. one of my cats has been caught In the tree everyday since I put it up and the other cat just batted at a few ornaments the first night then he got over it. So, I guess it depends on the cat.. oh and avoid flashing lights keeping them either steady on or all off tends to be helpful
2016-05-23 22:57:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I have behavior problems with my cat I use a spray bottle, and spray them with the water when they are doing a behavior I do not like/want. Also cats are not fond on lemon and orange scents, buy some air freshener in those scents, or the actual fruit and put it at the base of your tree, and also hang some near the trunk!
2006-12-13 14:41:20 · answer #7 · answered by c_m_d120 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We got an old baby's playpen -- one with wooden slat sides... and put the tree inside of that (floor gone on playpen). That helped a lot.
Don't put the ornaments lower than 24" from the floor... that will help too.
Beyond that... asking a young cat to stay out of that tree is like asking it not to shed. It's gonna happen.
2006-12-13 14:24:09 · answer #8 · answered by geek49203 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I spray water at my cat to keep him away. My nephews are 10 months apart and when they were small my sister in law put the tree in a playpen. Don't know if that would help but it is funny. lol
2006-12-13 14:19:10 · answer #9 · answered by Tracy S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only foolproof way I know is to put either the cats, or the tree, in the dog's crate.
2006-12-13 14:36:49 · answer #10 · answered by kldt7 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋