What can I use to keep my cats away from the Christmas tree?

Question

BESIDES a squirt bottle?! I heard pepper but my cats don't seem to care when i sprinkle it around.

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

Good for you- we are the masters, right? Well, maybe the cats don't recognize that, but perhaps we can be at least more clever? I read all of the answers, and many of them were accurate- try some. I have 6 cats and each has decided whether or not they're interested in the Christmas tree. If determined, they'll get in it. We first tried putting very jingly ornaments on the tree, so that would alert us to come shoo them away, but that got annoying in the middle of the night. Later we tried attaching ugly plastic grocery bags to the lower limbs, then aluminum foil- all of which they must have had a good laugh at. We've even tried the table top idea- but it's really akward with a 6 foot tree! Now, years of Christmases later, we firmly base the tree so it doesn't tip over, put breakable/precious ornaments up higher and more securely attached. We've developed a rather disturbing noise to yell when they attempt to turn the tree into a toy which is something like, "Aaaannnn!!" At least it distracts them and makes us think once again we are the masters, not the cats. Merry Christmas!

Answer 3

I love this question. I have six cats and until this year I have had major problems with my Christmas tree. I have tried many different things and none of them have worked, so I have resorted to "cat proofing" the tree.

First off, tie your tree off to the wall if they like to knock it over. Next, invest in plastic ornaments (Big Lots usually has a nice selection and they are cheap). I have a fake tree so the next tip will only work if you have one too. A pre-lit tree is the best choice, but if you don't have one, wrap the end of the branches around your lites and garland occasionally so they can't pull it off. Also with your ornaments, use the wire hooks and wrap them around the branches, that or if your not using the hooks, again wrap the braches around the string. This way they can't pull them off. Also, don't put anything on the bottom of the tree. Well, nothing that dangles.

This year my cat's couldn't get in my tree because I bought a new one. It is really full of branches so they can't climb it. And it is really low to the floor, so it is hard for them to get under it.

Sadly, your cats see your tree as a new toy. If you can't keep them out of it, just "cat proof" it like I have. It really does help and I have had alot less problems by doing this.

Answer 4

well I know you are serious, but I have to tell you a couple solutions I heard of years ago. No. 1 hang Xmas tree from ceiling, no. 2 place inside a wooden playpen keeps little kids away too, and no. 3 wire to the wall or curtain rods. I used to spray SCAT only worked short time and stained my carpet. Good Luck.

Answer 5

Keep watch and everytime you see your cat going near the Christmas Tree, spray with "Bad Cat Spray" aka clean water in a spray bottle

Answer 6

Chopped liver mashed with rats sack. Only joking you need to train your cat to scratch at a carpeted pole (you know the ones) that is placed next to the Xmas tree. Reward your cat for doing this and punish for persisting with the Xmas tree.

Answer 7

Check the links below:
I have a feeling the pepper you heard about was chili pepper....it works, but the tree smells a lil funky and I would hate to get it in a light colored carpet

Answer 8

Relax and let them climb it. It's hillarious!! You'll get a lot more out of life if you accept things like this... cats are so much fun! Make sure your tree is sturdy, keep plenty of water in the bottom, and enjoy laughing at them!

Answer 9

whatever you do dont lock them up for the holidays thats just not fair to them. try putting some tinfoil around the botttom cats usually wont walk on it. also try calmly scolding them if you catch them in the tree . overall they cant help that it looks like an inviting toy thier curious.

Answer 10

They sell something at the hardware store. Just ask the clerk. Its made for dogs, but might work for cats too.