What are some tips for keeping my cats away from the Christmas tree?

Question

I have three cats and am determined to put up my Christmas tree this year (last year my ex didn't let me because he was afraid the cats would knock it over). It is only a small tree (like three feet) that I usually put on my side table. I have some cute decorations and I love Christmas, but I don't want to clean up my ornaments every single day!! For you guys that deal with this all the time (I have only had cats for 2 years, and the first year I got my kitty in January so the tree was already down), how do you keep your cat away from the tree? I was thinking of putting it in my bedroom, so I could close the door when I'm not here, but then my friends and guests wouldn't see it. What if I attach it to the wall so that it won't be knocked over? I need your thoughts and tips, because like I said I love decorating but I don't want the cats knocking things over and eating ornaments!!

Okay, WOW! I was not expecting so many answers. Here is my plan:
1. Use fishing line to secure to the wall.
2. Put the tree out undecorated for a few days to get the cats used to it.
3. Not use glass ornaments. Use things that are cat-safe, in case they are stolen when I'm out.
4. Try motion sensor ornaments to startle.
5. Use the spray or some sort of scent they don't like near the tree.

And no, I don't have the tree up yet for whoever asked me that. I'm just anticipating putting it up in a few weeks and needed to have a plan of attack. I know they will be curious and I don't really care about that, I'm used to it by now. I expect them to play with things. I just wanted to keep them safe and still be able to have a pretty tree.

Thanks for all the great answers (with the exception of a few who advised getting rid of the cats... )

Also, I forget who sent the link with pics of her tree and cats and dog, but it was hilarious! Reminded me how cute and fun this could be...

Answer 1

Securely attach all of your ornaments and lights to your tree and them let them play away. Some of the cutest christmas pictures I have are of my kitties in our Christmas tree. Also, you might invest in some unbreakable ornaments. If none of these sound reasonable, then I would suggest putting it somewhere that you can see it, but the kitties can't get into it.

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 have two cats and I was worried the first year we had them and were going to put up the tree. We usually buy a live tree and it's about 5 or 6 feet. The cats are always curious...and usually right when I put it up one of the cats, Rocky, tries to climb up it and then realizes he can't and loses interest in doing that. I make sure to put all fragile ornaments near the top of the tree and the less fragile ones near the bottom and usually don't have ornaments dangling off the end of the bottom of the tree. They get excited at first and like hiding under the tree and playing, but for the most part they get used to it and don't do anything crazy and not too many ornaments fall of the tree - maybe one or two here or there but it's not that annoying and it's not all the time. They are pretty good. I'm sure your cats will get used to it, though I don't know how they would react to a smaller tree on a table. Good luck. Im sure your cats will get used to it. Maybe you could have the tree up for a day w/out ornaments to help the kitty's get used to it.

Answer 4

1- Attach your tree stand to a 4' x 4' plywood sheet.
2- Put only non-breakable "cat-proof" ornaments on the lower half of the tree. That includes wooden, metal and plastic, some ceramic. No glass or tinsely things to get caught in throats.
3. Live with the fact that all those antique feather-tree ornaments will have to wait until the cats get a little older.
4. If your tree is in a water bowl type of tree holder, check the water daily. Cats love to drink the water from the tree.
5. Understand that some gift bows and ornaments will be confiscated by the kitties, and you will find them when you move a large piece of furniture.
6. Be sure there is something for them under the tree. All kitties believe in Sandy Claws.

Answer 5

You Could Do A Couple Of Things. Well Cats Hate Citrus, And Of Course Oranges! So Peal An Orange And Put The Peals On The Tree And They Will Smell It And Run! Or You Could Put Vinegar On It. Like Get A Cotton Ball An Get Some Vinegar On The Cotton Ball Then Wipe The Tree. (If The Trees Fake)

Answer 6

Last year was my first year with the cats and I have a fairly small tree too. I put it on an end table. The first night they knocked it over. After that I sprayed around it with some of that 'repellent' that has a smell cats don't like. The repellent lasts 24 hours and I only had to spray it once; the rest of the season they left it alone. I don't know if it was due to the scare of having the tree fall over the first time or because of the repellent though.

When we had a real tree and an indoor cat at my parents' house the cat never really messed with the tree. Every so often he'd knock an ornament down from batting at it but that was it. I think some of it just depends on the personality of your cats.

Answer 7

We've always had cats. They are a part of our family. Because they are apart of our family they are a part of Christmas.

We get a tree. We put it up. And we make it a point to get soft wool and unbreakable ornaments just for the cats to play with. We put those ornaments at the bottom of the tree where the cats can play with them, and the breakable ornaments at the top.

We've only had a cat knock over the tree once. Most of the time the cats like sleeping under the tree.

Your problem seems like your tree is small and too top heavy. If you put more weight at the bottom of the tree it will have more balance. Try wrapping a couple of cinder blocks or bricks up like presents and put them at the base of the tree, to anchor it down for more stability. Then your cat's can play with the tree all they want, and not knock it over.

Answer 8

We have the same problem with our tree....my mom's cats used to knock it over every year. Now we take a small piece of ribbon and tie it around the tree, then tie it to a shelf or a nail in the wall, so the cats can't knock it over anymore. Then you can put any breakable ornaments at the top where the cats can't get them, and some unbreakable ones at the bottom...they'll knock them of for the first few days, but they may lose interest after that.

Another thing you can try, if you don't have a lot of tree ornaments, is tying them on with ribbon or string instead of using hooks...they won't fall off as easily this way.

Answer 9

I Do Not Have A Solution To Your Question, But I Sure Would Like To Know Also, As I Have 4 Cats, & I Have A Small Christmas Tree (Also About 3 Feet Tall, That I Would Like To Put-Up & Decorate For Christmas. They Have This Spray, That You Spray On Furnature, To Keep Cats Off The Furniture, But Really Smells Bad Tho!! I Wonder If You Sprayed Some Of That Around Your Christmas Tree, & Around The Skirt Of The Christmas Tree, If That Wouldn't Solve The Problem. The Smell Might Surtenly Keep Them Away! Please Let Me Know!

Answer 10

Hi,

I answered a similar question for Ask Yahoo! back in 2006. WikiHow lists several steps that will secure your tree no matter how curious the cat.

Another site, Show Cats Online, suggests the following...

"1. Use a wide base on your tree to prevent climbing kitties from tipping it over.
2. Fasten the top of the tree to the ceiling with fishing line.
3. Lay aluminum foil on the floor. Cats don't like it.
4. Don't use tinsel. Cats can, and often do, choke on it."

Good luck!

Mike

Answer 11

Here's what I would do. I own a cat as well. Go to Walmart, or even a pet store may have X Mat. It's usually a rubber mat with spikes on the bottom. Place it in the area around the tree spike side up. This way when the cats approach that area, it will not feel very good on their feet and this will not be a fun area for them to go to. This will keep them away from that area. I'm not sure if this works, but I did read this here previously. I hope this helps you. Thank you!