With
cats and Christmas trees, there are many ways that chaos — and even danger —
can ensue. Learn how cats and Christmas trees can safely coexist.
Ah, the
holidays — the cheerful carols, endless plates of festive cookies and brightly
colored packages underneath the Christmas tree. Ahh, right, there’s the tree.
Those of us who share our homes with felines know “the tree” is not just “the
tree.” It’s a giant scratching post with branches for climbing, a water bowl
and an endless supply of dangling toys! In other words, some cats see a
Christmas tree as the ultimate cat toy. Look what Santa brought me! The trouble
with Christmas trees is that they present some serious threats to our kitties.
Here are a few suggestions for keeping your Holly Jolly Christmas safe and fun
for both two- and four-legged family members.
1. Act as if your Christmas tree is no big deal
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| Climbing the tree is just one of the many dangers / mishaps when it comes to cats and Christmas trees. Photography ©tilo | Thinkstock. |
Cats are
naturally curious, so bringing a tree into your home won’t go unnoticed. Before
adding all the fun, dangly objects, why not let it stand au naturel for a day
or two? Once the newness wears off, your kitty may not be so inclined to do
some holiday swatting.
2. Make your Christmas tree unappealing to your
cat
It’s fairly
safe to assume that kitty probably won’t want to relive an unpleasant
experience. If she has a penchant for biting pine needles or chewing branches,
you may want to try a bitter spray (found at most pet stores and online) as a
deterrent. Needles, if ingested, can cause dangerous — and sometimes deadly —
intestinal blockages. Although live trees more easily shed their needles, the
ones from artificial trees can prove just as bad.
Another way
to keep kitty away from the tree is to place foil or double-sided tape on top
of the skirt. These are both textures that many cats avoid, and they could act
as effective deterrents.
3. Don’t give cats access to Christmas tree water
When it
comes to cats and Christmas trees, some kitties are attracted to the water
reservoir of live trees. They think it’s a watering hole placed there
especially for them! The trouble is, the water could contain additives and
fertilizer, which can be toxic to cats. Even if the tree is fertilizer free,
harmful bacteria might grow in the reservoir. Foil to the rescue again! As a
safeguard, wrap a sheet of foil around open areas of the container.
4. Cut down on some of the dangers by choosing
a Christmas tree that’s artificial
There’s no
temptation with Christmas tree water when you have an artificial tree. Although
live trees more easily shed their needles, the ones from artificial trees can
prove just as dangerous, as do the lights and ornaments that adorn both.
Additionally, most modern Christmas trees are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
which is toxic to animals and humans alike.
5. Stop your cat from knocking the Christmas tree
over
Kittens and
cats with wild spirits have been known to take down entire Christmas trees. If
your cat manages to topple your tree — or simply as a preventive measure —
consider tethering the tree to the wall and/or ceiling. It may seem like a
drastic move, but it will keep your tree vertical.
6. Avoid mishaps with cats and Christmas tree
lights
To avoid
electrocution, always unplug your tree lights when you go to bed or while
you’re away from home. Sharp kitty teeth and live electrical cords do not mix.
If your cat is a chronic cord-chewer, skip the lights altogether.
7. Nix the use of tinsel
Many of us
grew up draping tinsel from the branches of our holiday trees. Tinsel — or
angel hair — is a major hazard when it comes to cats and Christmas trees since
it may cause fatal intestinal obstructions. Leave it off your decoration
to-dos.
8. Cat-proof your Christmas tree ornaments
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Got breakable or keepsake ornaments? Keep them out of your cat’s reach! Photography ©suemack | Thinkstock.
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Hang your
heirloom ornaments at the top of the tree and keep the sturdier ones toward the
bottom — or simply avoid hanging anything on the lower tree branches. If your
kitty manages to knock a breakable bauble onto the floor, she could wind up
eating or stepping on the broken pieces. Why not simply avoid this potential
danger?
9. Provide your cat with a distraction from the
Christmas tree
If your kitty
is truly crazy for the Christmas tree, simple distractions could be an easy
solution. Save special toys for the holidays or even introduce a few new boxes.
We hear cats have a thing for boxes.
Daniel
Quagliozzi, Cat Behavior Consultant at Go, Cat, Go! says, “The basic point is
surrender to the fact that you have brought in something any cat would be
excited about, and adjust accordingly or redirect your cat into more compelling
activities, like food puzzles.”
10. Make your Christmas tree difficult for your
cats to reach
You may
find yourself building a barricade around the tree, Les Miz-style — except with
baby gates. This may or may not keep your cat away from their target. You know
your cat better than anyone else, so build away if that feels like an appropriate
solution.
If kitty is
completely determined to get her paws on the tree, bypassing all foil sheets
and barricades, perhaps a door needs to stand between the cat and the tree. Or,
maybe it’s time to skip a tree and hang a wreath on the front door instead.
Tell us: How do you feel about cats and
Christmas trees? How do your cats react to them? What horror stories do you
have? What are your tips for cats and Christmas tree safety?
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