how can i stop my kitten climbing the christmas tree?

Question

I have a 8 weeks old kitten, very playful. She has been climbing the christmas tree all the way to the top and broken 4-5 ornaments already. I took her down, spanked her and told her but this doesn't work so far. And now, she sees this whole action as a "play" for her. She would run to the tree, climbed it and waited for me or my kids to yell at her and took her down.

Answer 1

My cat used to do the dame thing. We got a spray bottle and I would dowse her everytime she got near the tree. Now that she has kittens, they like to play with the bulbs. I did the same thing with them. Cats can't stand the pray bottle, so when they see it, they run. Now when they go near it, they only lay under it.

You can't spank cats, like you can a dog. A dog sees it as punishment, especially when the "pack leader" does it. But when you do it to a cat, she sees the "petter" playing. Cats are so stubborn, that's why people think they're stupid. Cats CHOOSE what they want to learn. And the way you have to reach into the tree looks more like play time, then punishment.

So get the spray bottle and squirt her, at least, until she's out of the tree. And when she gets near it, squirt her again. She won't like the water, so she'll eventually get the hint. You could also take a toy that could hang and tie it onto something on the opposite side of the room. That way, she'll be distracted by the new dangling toy, and not worry about the tree.

Caging your cat will only tell her that when she wants to play, she's going to be caged. Animals can't comprehend ''you can play with this, but not that''. If they want to play with something, and they get caged, they'll stop playing.

Answer 2

You'll not like my answer, but it IS accurate.

Without blocking out the room entirely from the cat, you can't. You can try a spray bottle of water, but it usually doesn't work when the forbidden object is as tantalizing as a Christmas tree!

Here's what you CAN do, and if at all possible, you should.

First, make sure there is NO tinsel on the tree. TINSEL KILLS PETS!

Second, put a little hook or nail in the ceiling above the tree. Tie a piece of fishing wire to it, then tie that to the tree to "anchor" it so it can't be knocked down by kitty.
Use unbreakable ornaments on the tree -- the kind of ornaments you might use when you've got a two year old child in the house. Wood, plastic, etc. Garland is usually fine as long as it doesn't shed too badly. If it's the fluffy kind, don't let the ends dangle - kitty will be attracted, and might chew off strands and choke on them.

Let Kitty play. The tree makes Christmas special for her, too! Cats adore the trees and they are SO cute when they play in it! Just enjoy the holiday and re-hang ornaments when you need to ;)

Answer 3

Use a spray bottle filled with water. Adjust it so that it has a long reach. Spray the kitty when you see it starting to mess with the tree.

Spanking and talking to her will not work, as you know. Using the spray bottle you can correct her behavior. When she gets sprayed with the water it startles her and her first instinct will be to run to safety (away from the tree). She will soon learn that messing with the tree means getting sprayed and she will stop.

You can use the spray bottle if she is on the table, digging in plants, climbing the curtain or any little mischievous thing a kitten will do.

They will not associate the water and you cause you aren't anywhere near. It is a great training tool for many animals.

You will enjoy the different reactions and you do not have to get up and do it. And it works.

Enjoy

Answer 4

I tried the smelly spray two years ago and that just made the house stink and ruined some of the ornaments. We tried water, but they usually just squint at us and sit there (and they usually run from the tree before we can actually catch them in the act)

I purchased some plastic carpet runner, used to protect carpet, and laid it pokey side up around the tree. Our tree is by a wall so we cut it into three sections and made a U shape with the open part at the wall. I tried it last year and it worked so well, I did it again. It looks a little funny, but it beats having a smelly house.

Answer 5

Oh, this is a tough one. Kittens are cute and playful and unfortunately this can lead to destruction. What I ended up doing is not having a tree until my cat was older (about 1 year). Now he will lay under the tree but he does not touch the tree. That is the only thing that worked for me. Good Luck.

Answer 6

I own three cats. What i usually do with the christmas tree problem is to wait in the dining room overlooking the den (where the christmas tree is). Then as soon as they jump for the tree i pluck at them with my Crossman BB gun. That usually freaks em out pretty bad, much more effectively then a squirt bottle. Just dont pump it more then 5 times because that might be considered cruel. Soon they begin to assossiate the tree with the little welts. This method also works well for other things. Such as stealing table scraps, drinking from the toilet, ect. Best $20 bucks you could spend at Walmart..

P.S. Dont forget to becareful not to hit the ornaments!

Good luck!

Answer 7

upload a pair of drops of orange or lemon mandatory oil to three water and then mist spray the tree the different day. Cats dislike citrus scents so it may actually be adequate to deter your kitten from desirous to get on the fringe of the tree. shop decorations off the decrease branches as they are going to be tempted to play with them. i've got heard that cats discover it uncomfortable to stroll over pine cones, so which you would be able to desire to place some around the backside of the tree to ascertain if that works. (Holly leaves ought to have an analogous result too.) in case you grant your kitten with their very own cat tower or enable them to have some cabinets to take a seat on, they could be inspired to climb that instead of your tree.

Answer 8

this is corny but it works, my friend had this problem, its a natural instinct. Anyhow you know those dancing santas?? put one in your tree. If the cat has no fear of this then make them afraid. Turn the dumb thing on and run around the house clanging a cake pan. Make the precense of the santa scary. Then when kitty goes in the tree and santa starts boogying cat shouldd bolt the scene

Good Luck and merry xmas..

PS if this doesnt work your cat wont fit in the tree when its older, novelty wears off, then they just chew on it, hopefully you wont be here next year for advice on this :)

Answer 9

Put it in a cage, or a room down the hallway.

Or place a little fence around the tree so she can't climb up.

Answer 10

There is really nothing you can do... all my kittens have tried to climb the tree, they won't be bothered with it, once they get older.