Cat/christmas tree connundrum .. with a twist -- they just like the water!?

Question

They could care less about the tree ... the ornaments are fun for them so we keep the breakable ones near the top. What they really like is the water. We have tried assorted deterrents -- aluminum foil around the stand, tape with the sticky side up, etc. Is there something to put in the water that the cats will hate, but won't make them (or the tree) sick?

Answer 1

If you're trying to scold at your kitten for climbing/attacking your Christmas Tree, these are some possible ways to say (Dont touch the tree):

A) Put a barrier of some sort around your Christmass Tree to prevent your cat from making contact

B) I'm sure there are some kinds of materials they sell that repel cats (Liquids?) that you can use (NOT ON YOUR CAT). You could put it on your Christmas Tree or around it to prevent your cat from coming near.

C) (IF) You'r Christmas Tree is in a room that you dont use very much (that has a door) just close the door when no ones using it or when someones in it.

D) Keep watch and everytime you see your cat going near the Christmas Tree, carry him/her away.

E) Occupy your cat, you could get him/her a scratching post, a self automated toy, a remote controlled mouse (Yes they do sell those, I know for a fact ((I have one)) ).

F) This isnt exactly my best choice...Shut her up in a room with marbles and toys that she could play with, and someone to play with (I wouldnt though)

G) Get/Make something that would grab your cat's attention from the tree (You could take some boxes and make a play house or a tunnel of some sort, or buy a post or play pen)

H) Again, not the best choice, move you Christmas Tree to a basement or attic (Somewhere that you dont use) until (A couple days before?) Christmas Eve or Chrismas

I) If there are ornaments and other strings and catchy things on your Christmas tree remove them until Christmas Eve- You could have a family get-to-gether and hang them back up again

J) Punish your cat (Not harshly) everytime he jumps on your tree, spray it, flick it's nose, toss it (GENTLY) away, ect

Some solutions (Above) arent even saying (NO). They're just other ways to prevent your cat from attacking your Christmas Tree.

How ever if you're cat keeps eating smaller plants, other ways of saying (Dont eat plants!) are:

A) Spraying the plant(s) with repelant

B) Moving the plant(s) to a higher area, unreachable for your kitten

C) Flicking your kitten's nose when ever he/she tries to eat or damage the plant

D) When ever your kitten tries to eat part of the plant, pry open (Not harshly) his/her mouth and take the remaining plant out of his/her mouth and push your kitten away

E) Either put something near your plant(s) to scare your cat every time he/she gets near it, or scare your cat yourself when ever your cat gets near the plant

As you can see there are many possible ways to prevent your cat from doing something wrong without scolding at your cat, or scolding your cat in many diffrent ways to prevent him/her from doing something wrong.

Other ways to scold at your cat may include:

A) Locking your cat in a room (Not for long, the least you could do is put a couple of toys and needed items ((Such as litter box, food, ect.)) in the room) whenever she/he does something wrong repeatedly.

B) Shake him/her GENTLY, for a few SECONDS. Do NOT (I repeat ((!NOT!)) shake your cat brutally AND for more then three seconds at the maximum when ever he/she does something wrong repeatedly.

C) Puting a leash on your cat (Do not put a short leash on your cat unless needed or for serious safety reasons) until he/she learns not to do what ever he/she is doing wrong.

So there are many solutions. Scolding or not, you'r cat will just have to learn either way!

Have a nice day and remember treat your cat with utmost patience and love!

Answer 2

One of the things my family has always done is to place 7Up in the tree stand...don't ask, it's just something that they've always sworn by and the tree tends to last a long time so maybe there's a bit of truth to it, who can tell? But, I told you that so I can tell you this: none of the cats were ever interested in drinking from the reservoir.

Answer 3

Just spray the cat with a bottle of water everytime you see him start playing with the tree.

Answer 4

did you try lemon because cats hate that smell because it is something they don't like ,but i don't know if it will harm the tree.

Answer 5

Lemon juice? Tabasco might be a little too much! lol

Answer 6

try vinagar works with my cats