Photo by Griffin Taylor on Unsplash
As soon as your Christmas decorations go up, it begins! We’re talking about the never ending battle between you and your cat when it comes to keeping them out of the Christmas tree. You can’t blame them—it’s like a giant, sparkling playground for your feline friend. Shiny ornaments to swat, branches to climb, and that oh-so-tempting tinsel to chew on.
But if the thought of your kitty breaching those branches makes you feel more frazzled than festive, we’ve got tips on how to keep your curious kitty away from the Christmas tree. We spoke to certified feline behavior coach Jennifer Van de Kieft and cat expert for Best Friends Animal Society Samantha Bell to unwrap some clever, cat-proofing tricks that will keep your decorations secure and your kitty safe—because they deserve just as much Christmas cheer as you do.
Van de Kieft says, “Please don’t think your cat is naughty or bad when they want to interact with your Christmas tree. They’re truly just doing what their instincts tell them to do.” With that, she explains, “I do not recommend aversives for training as it can damage your relationship with your cat and affect their emotional health… It’s better not to have a Christmas tree if using aversives is the only way to keep it safe.”
But if you’re willing to try, there are ways in which both you and your cat can enjoy the season without any shattered ornaments, toppled trees, or ending up on Santa Paws’ naughty list. Keep reading to find out how.
What attracts cats to Christmas trees?
Photo by Jessica Lewis on Unsplash
Of course your kitty will be intrigued by a Christmas tree! According to Van de Kieft, “Cats are attracted to novelty, so bringing something new inside is always interesting and worth checking out for most cats. Then you’ve got the height factor. In the wild, cats would be climbing trees, so climbing your Christmas tree is not an exception. It seems like a normal thing to do from your cat’s perspective.”
After all, you buy them their own climbing trees to put around the house—and Christmas trees are just a bigger, more sparkly versions. Bell adds, “On top of that, we add small, dangling ornaments to the tree that look like toys to a cat. We give the tree a lot of attention when it’s up. It’s often the focal point of a social room, something which friendly cats want to be a part of.”
Are Christmas trees toxic to cats?
Thankfully, real Christmas trees don’t make the list of plants that are toxic to cats. That said, you’ll still want to take precautions to keep your fur baby safe. While fir, spruce, and pine trees are generally non-toxic to cats, their needles can cause oral irritation and gastrointestinal upset when consumed. Furthermore, if you add fertilizer or preservatives to the water your tree sits in, drinking this could make them ill.
As for artificial trees, they’re pretty safe to keep around your cat, but are not completely risk-free. If your cat happens to take a chunk out of one, this could lead to choking or an obstruction in your cat’s digestive tract. Additionally, flocking (or imitation snow) used on faux trees can be mildly toxic to cats. Bell also notes, “Your cat could become injured if the tree falls over on them.”
You’ll also want to be sure your furry pal doesn’t get into any breakable ornaments or light strings as these can cause choking hazards, cut their paws, or even lead to electrical burns. Jennifer warns, “If your cat chews things, getting a tree may be a hazard. Decorations and lights may be other hazards. My first cat chewed on holiday lights and got a piece stuck inside his mouth, which the veterinarian removed. I got rid of the lights.” Bell’s advice: “Put a dummy strand of lights on the bottom of your tree (not plugged in) in case they chew it.”
