How to protect your Christmas tree from cats: 12 vet-tested solutions

By SecretWuff 13 Min Read

Photo by Dr. Amanda Charles

Information is based on the latest veterinary research.

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Christmas trees liven up the holidays. They are beautiful and fun to decorate, so many people can’t imagine celebrating the holidays without them. Our feline friends bring love and warmth to holiday celebrations, but they also love playing with the Christmas tree.

Cats are famous for climbing, jumping on, and knocking over Christmas trees. They also tend to use ornaments as toys, which can injure your kitty or break your treasure. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to keep your Christmas tree upright and your cat safe during the holidays. Keep reading for 12 proven ways to protect your Christmas tree from cats.

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Before you start — artificial wood vs. natural wood

Artificial trees are an ideal alternative for homes with cats because they reduce some of the risks associated with real trees, such as sharp needles and contaminated tree water. Ingesting needles can also damage your cat’s intestines and stomach, causing an intestinal blockage.

If you buy a real tree, consider using a skirt to cover the bowl and placing some packaging to prevent your cat from accessing the water. Clean up fallen needles regularly to prevent your cat from chewing on them and injuring their mouths.

Some cats may feel uninterested in artificial trees and leave them alone. However, even artificial trees can cause problems if your cat chews on the fake needles or ingests pieces of plastic or wire.

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12 ways to protect your Christmas tree from cats

1. Give your cat time to get used to the tree

You can give your cat time to get used to it before decorating the tree. Spending several days exploring an undecorated tree may satisfy some cats’ curiosity, and adding lighting or decorations may reduce the temptation to explore.

Tabby cat sitting behind the Christmas tree
Image credit: Bogdan Sonjachnyj, Shutterstock

2. Fix the tree

Cats love to climb trees, so Christmas trees are easy targets. They have new, interesting scents and provide a fun challenge. However, if your cat gets a little too enthusiastic when playing on a branch, it can easily fall over.

Therefore, it is necessary to secure the tree to prevent accidents. Wall and ceiling anchors are easy to install and can prevent your tree from falling if it receives too much attention from your cat.


3. Add weights to the bottom.

Adding some weights to the base of the tree will add stability and keep it upright if your cat tries to climb up. You can use a tree skirt to cover the weights and keep it festive. Artificial and natural trees must be secured to ensure the safety of your pet.

A large Christmas tree is gorgeous, but if you have cats in your home, a smaller one that won’t cause any harm if it falls over is better.

Male hand pouring water into a plastic stand of decorated Christmas tree
Image credit: Georgy Dzyura, Shutterstock

4. Stay away from tinsel and skip the fake snow

Tinsel is dangerous for cats! They may look pretty, but if your cat eats them, they can cause intestinal blockages and require surgery to remove. Long, thin threads are also easy for cats to choke on.

If your cat ingests fake snow, it can make them feel sick and cause abdominal obstruction.


5. Avoid fragile jewelry.

Cats are famous for playing with ornaments. Glass ornaments can break and you can injure yourself if you walk on the shards. If you must decorate your tree with fragile ornaments, try to keep them out of your cat’s reach as much as possible.


6. Keep an eye on the light

Christmas tree lights are problematic in two ways. One is that it can shock a cat who chews on the inserted string, and the other is that it can trap a cat who is having fun playing with the Christmas tree.

Placing the light as close to the center of the tree as possible will make it harder for cats to approach. Unplugging it when you’re not there will prevent your cat from chewing on the wire and getting an electric shock. You can use battery-powered lights as they are less likely to cause electrocution.

Homemade great tabby cat with Christmas tree and plaid tie
Image credit: nadtochiy, shutterstock

7. Choose the right location

Placing your Christmas tree away from furniture and launch sites will at least minimize the chance of your cat disturbing it. Placing the tree in a corner reduces the number of easily accessible areas and may keep it safer.

Some pet parents think that the easiest way to solve the problem is to put up a tree in an area where cats are prohibited.


8. Think about how to decorate

Metal decorative hangers can hurt your cat’s mouth, so it’s best to avoid them. No matter how you hang your ornaments, make sure you place them high enough to keep your cat safe.


9. Don’t put candy or human food on the tree

Cats have an excellent sense of smell and are curious about food. Decorating the tree with food and candy will attract cats to the tree. Therefore, it is important not to hang edible decorations, especially if they contain chocolate or other toxic ingredients.


10. Stay away from the garland

Decorating a tree with garland is a fun holiday tradition, but long, thin pieces can be dangerous if your cat swallows them. Linear foreign objects, such as threads and strings, can easily get stuck in your cat’s gastrointestinal system and can cause serious problems such as intestinal blockage or intestinal perforation.

wall ornament tree
Image credit: 70154, Pixabay

11. Consider deterrence

Making the area around your Christmas tree less inviting may encourage your cat to seek entertainment elsewhere. Some pet parents have found that sprinkling water and vinegar around the tree keeps cats from hanging around for long periods of time.

Commercial security sprays are also available that can reduce a cat’s interest in Christmas trees.


12. Increase your cat’s playtime

A few extra minutes of play may tire your cat and make him less willing to tease the Christmas tree or ornaments. Before you set up the tree, buy some toys for your cat and encourage your cat to play with them in a room away from where the Christmas tree will be placed.

Here are some of our favorite toys that cater to a variety of senses and play preferences. Which one will your cat like?

Hepper Hi-Lo Cardboard Cat Scratcher Real Cat Scratcher

  • PREMIUM MATERIALS – Hepper cardboard scratchers are made of high-density B-flute cardboard and metal.
  • High, low, low – one cat scratching pad won’t keep your cat occupied. Maintaining three unique positions…
  • ACTIVATE MUSCLES – Hi-Lo is more than just a cat nail file to stop your cat from scratching on the couch. of…

Hepper Plush Mouse Kicker Toy – Catnip Interactive…

  • Catnip Toy for Engaging Play – One of Hepper’s cat kickers, designed specifically for cat kickers.
  • PERFECT SIZE FOR JUMPING – This plush cat toy provides the ideal canvas for your cat’s natural playfulness.
  • PERFECT FOR INTENSIVE PLAY – Durable stitching and chew-resistant fabric allow these cute cats to play with confidence.

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More tips to keep your cat happy and safe on vacation

There are several other measures you can take (in addition to securing your Christmas tree) to keep your cat safe during the holidays. This includes making sure your cat has a nice place to relax when you have visitors, making sure they get plenty of exercise, and enriching their environment. Keep poisonous plants out of reach and away from trees completely every day.

Provide a safe place for your cat

Cats can easily get overwhelmed by visitors and the hustle and bustle of holiday parties. To keep your cat from stressing out over the holidays, place toys and a bed in a cozy room where your cat can hang out and relax.

woman playing with cat
Image credit: ticcharoen04, Shutterstock

avoid candles

Candles and cats are a dangerous combination. Checking for flickers of flame can burn your beard or legs. Also, candles are incredibly easy for cats to knock over.

Beware of problem plants

Some plants commonly associated with Christmas, such as poinsettias and amaryllis, can make cats sick. It’s important to make sure that the plants you bring home on vacation are safe for cats.

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Keep cats away from the Christmas tree

  • Use fences or wooden fences. Install a physical barrier around the tree, such as a decorative fence or playpen, to prevent your cat from easily accessing it, or if that’s not possible, keep a constant eye on the area around the tree. please.
  • Movement-activated deterrent: You can place motion-sensing devices, such as pet-safe air sprayers, around the tree to startle your cat when it tries to approach it.
  • Wrap the base in aluminum foil. Some cats don’t like the feel or sound of aluminum foil and may not want to go near trees.
  • Cat repellent spray: You can also spray a citrus or vinegar solution around the lower branches of the tree or place orange or lemon peels around the tree to deter cats from accessing it.
  • Distract yourself with a cat tree: A cat tree or scratching post studded with silverfish or hanging toys is a great alternative to keep your cat occupied.
  • Restrict access by furniture: If your cat can’t jump onto a branch easily, it may be less motivated to climb the tree, so place furniture as far away from the tree as possible to give it no place to jump.
  • Keep the tree out of reach. If possible, place the tree in a room or area that can be closed off when unsupervised, or secure it to a small tabletop tree.

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conclusion

Cats add magic to the holiday season! They are sweet and adorable and are known for their obsession with Christmas trees. Some cats will climb and jump on you, and others will use ornaments as toys, which can break heirlooms or injure their paws.

Properly securing your Christmas tree will reduce the chance of damage and injury, and placing decorations on the highest branches will prevent your cat from using it as a toy.

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Featured image credit: GolubaPhoto, Shuttestock

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