Cats and Christmas Trees

[Tuesday]

I recently put up my Christmas tree - a mini tree with little bulbs on my coffee table. Well, it didn't stay there for very long. My 1-yr-old kitty, Maisey decked it and hid the bulbs around the apartment. I tried a "Keep Off" spray that I found at Wal-mart. I worked wonders the first few days. Then, last night, she attacked again. I set the tree back up and gave it a thorough spraying, but it didn't work. Is there anything I can do before giving up?

[Jodi]

Try a citrus spray....cats hate citrus scents!!!

However, last year, when my two were kittens, I had to redecorate my tree at least 4 times....it was not an uncommon sight to see two kittens way up in the tree....

I'm hoping I won't need to redorate over and over this year...although I think one of my kitties will still be climbing the tree....sigh....gotta love 'em!

Good luck!!!!

[Tuesday]

Thanks Jodi, I'll try some citrusy spray!

[jason]

a few things i have done before :

• keep all cords tight around tree (no drooping)
• no hanging items on the lowest portion of tree, use something else there instead, ribbon or that stringed silver stuff
• place the tree and stand on top of a small table that is just big enough for the stand
• do not leave tree plugged in when not there

good luck.

[Tina B and crew]

Some more tips!

No tinsel or icicles - cats will often eat these
No ribbons that can be removed from the tree - same as above
I prefer to use plastic ornament hooks - they seem less dangerous than the wire ones (but are harder to find)
No breakable ornaments
No curly ribbon on packages - cats like to eat it
No real poinsettias in the house - toxic
Keep the water container covered with aluminum foil if it's a real tree..otherwise the cats can drink it (not necessarily dangerous but I think it's yucky)

I always try to hang some safe soft ornaments at the bottom in case the cats choose to play with the tree...these i don't care of they knock off or knock around the house

We've never had many problems with our cats and Christmas trees...but with our foster Wicket (if she hasn't been adopted out yet) I'm concerned that a tree is going to be nearly impossible. She insists on going all the places she shouldn't, playing with all the things she shouldn't and making a ruckus at all the hours that she shouldn't

[Mona]

I agree with no tinsel or ribbons. My older cat Honeybun likes to chew the bows on packages, hence no bows or ribbons.

I have a kitten now too, but what I do is use an artificial tree with no tinsel or ribbons, and hang removable cat toys with no hooks or other ornaments about 1 footup from the bottom of the tree. My tree is anchored so my cats can play with the items at the bottom and even remove them, as they are cat toys. I bought them at Target one year and they have been very useful. If they do not have them you can buy some at Petsmart etc.

Otherwise just leave the bottom untrimmed and place toys around the area to distract them.

Be careful to turn off lights on the tree when you are not around, and watch candles or any other decorations for easy access by kitty.

Hope this helps you.

Mona, Honeybun and Chloe

[Tuesday]

Thanks for the suggestions! No, I don't have anything other than bulbs on the tree. I think these are too big for her to swallow. I tried an Orange Grove spray I found at the drugstore - it's really strong so I thought it would work, but no luck. A neighbor suggested putting a box over the tree at night since nighttime is usually the time she attacks. I'll let you know if this works out. Thanks again!