Keep Cats Away From Your Christmas Tree

Cats and Christmas trees are a dangerous combination. Cats are drawn to Christmas trees because they are natural-born climbers and the trees provide something high to climb on, with plenty of hiding spots, and shiny, moving things to play with. However, Christmas trees pose a number of risks to cats, including choking hazards and intestinal blockages from ingesting tinsel, branches, pine needles, ornaments, and Christmas lights. To keep cats out of Christmas trees, there are several strategies you can try.

Use cat-deterrent sprays

Cats are naturally curious and playful, so you'll need to be one step ahead of them to keep your Christmas tree safe. Cats hate bitter-tasting things, so a cat-deterrent spray can be an effective way to keep them from chewing on the branches.

You can make your own homemade cat-deterrent spray with a few simple ingredients. Here's a recipe you can try:

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of fresh rosemary
• ¾ cup distilled white vinegar
• Lemon juice

Instructions:

• Add the fresh rosemary to a pot of boiling water.
• Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let the rosemary steep overnight.
• The next day, strain the rosemary pieces from the liquid using a cheesecloth or a sieve.
• Pour the rosemary-infused liquid into a spray bottle.
• Add the vinegar and lemon juice to the spray bottle.
• Shake well to mix the liquids.

This spray will help keep your cat away from the Christmas tree by deterring them from chewing on the branches. You can also use a commercial cat repellent spray or a motion-activated spray to keep your cat away from the tree.

In addition to using cat-deterrent sprays, there are a few other things you can do to keep your cat out of the Christmas tree:

• Remove any breakable decorations and keep the tree away from furniture that your cat can jump on.
• Use a pet fence or playpen to create a physical barrier around the tree.
• Wrap the tree trunk and base with aluminum foil, as most cats don't like the sound and feel of it.
• Downsize to a tabletop Christmas tree that is less accessible to your cat.
• Get your cat their own cat tree to distract them from the Christmas tree.

Put up a physical barrier

One way to keep cats away from your Christmas tree is to put up a physical barrier. You can use a pet fence or playpen to keep your cat at a distance from the tree. However, for cats that are particularly clever and persistent, you may need to combine this method with another, such as a cat-deterrent spray.

Another option is to use an exercise pen, fence, or baby gate to create a wall around the tree or block off access to the room. Make sure that the barrier is sturdy, secure, and tall—a healthy cat can take a four-foot jump with ease. Vertical bars are best, as horizontal or grid bars can act as a ladder.

You can also try placing crumpled-up plastic bags, lines of masking tape (sticky side up), or walls of wrapped gifts around the base of the tree. However, these tactics may not work for all cats, depending on their personalities and preferences.

Wrap the base in aluminium foil

Wrapping the base of your Christmas tree in aluminium foil is an effective way to deter cats from approaching the tree. Cats are known to dislike the look, sound, and feel of aluminium foil. The foil is pliable and can be easily wrapped around the base of the tree, creating a sort of tree skirt. This method can be used as a quick and easy fix to keep cats away from the tree.

To create an effective barrier, you can tape together sheets of aluminium foil to cover the base of the tree. Make sure to use enough foil to completely cover the base, as any gaps may allow cats to step on the foil without being deterred. You can also extend the foil slightly upwards towards the bottom branches of the tree to prevent cats from climbing.

Aluminium foil is a versatile material that can be used in a variety of ways. It is commonly used in cooking and food storage due to its ability to retain moisture and protect food. Additionally, it is also used for packaging, insulation, and transportation. Its pliable nature allows it to be bent and wrapped around objects easily, making it a convenient option for various applications.

By wrapping the base of your Christmas tree in aluminium foil, you can take advantage of cats' natural aversion to the material. This simple and inexpensive solution can help keep your cats away from the tree and protect them from potential dangers, such as ingesting harmful decorations or knocking over the tree.

Remove launching points

Cats are athletic creatures that love to jump. They can use furniture as a launching point to jump into your Christmas tree, so it's important to move as much furniture away from the tree as possible. This will reduce the risk of your cat getting into the tree and causing any damage or harm to itself.

If you can't move all the furniture, try to focus on removing pieces that are closest to the tree. This will make it more difficult for your cat to reach the tree and reduce the chances of any accidents.

Another option is to use an exercise pen, fence, or baby gate to create a barrier around the tree. This will limit your cat's access to the tree and make it more difficult for them to use the surrounding furniture as a launching point.

You can also try placing some pine cones around the base of the tree. Cats may be deterred by the texture and sound of pine cones under their paws. For an extra deterrent, spray the pine cones with apple cider vinegar, a smell that cats typically dislike.

Choose ornaments wisely

Choosing ornaments wisely is an important part of keeping cats away from your Christmas tree. Cats are attracted to shiny, dangling objects, so it is best to avoid these types of ornaments. Opt for sturdy, non-dangling ornaments that are not easily breakable. Paper, wood, plastic, burlap, or felt ornaments are ideal.

It is also important to consider the placement of your ornaments. Keep fragile or breakable decorations out of your cat's reach by placing them higher up on the tree. You can also use wire or twine to secure ornaments to the branches, preventing them from falling and breaking.

If you want to add some festive sparkle to your tree, consider using bells as ornaments. Bells can help deter cats from climbing the tree, as the sound may startle them. Additionally, bells can alert you to your cat's presence, allowing you to intervene before they cause any damage.

Another strategy is to decorate the lower branches of your tree with items that are less appealing to cats, such as twigs, faux berries, or white berries. You can also hang cat toys on the lower branches to distract your cat from the more fragile ornaments.

It is important to note that some popular Christmas decorations can be hazardous to cats. Tinsel, for example, can cause serious damage to a cat's intestines if ingested. Edible ornaments, such as candy canes and cinnamon sticks, should also be avoided, as they may tempt your cat to take a nibble.

Frequently asked questions