As exciting as it is, the Christmas holiday season can come with funny or annoying incidents, depending on your perspective. We’re talking about your cat(s) playing with the holiday decorations in your Christmas tree and most likely getting hurt in the process. This leaves you with two problems: tending the cat’s wounds and repairing the damage to your Christmas tree. The best course of action will be to cat-proof your Christmas tree. You can keep your cat out of the Christmas tree by using cord covers, setting up roadblocks, or using natural repellents.
Option 1: Cord Covers
Most cats will be drawn in by the chasing Christmas lights and might bite the electrical cords. Of course, this will be a disaster because one of the following will happen: your cat will get burned or electrocuted.
There are a couple of ways to avoid this. Firstly, cover your electrical cords. Secondly, use black tape to secure the cord against the wall from the power outlet. This will prevent your cat from getting to it.
Now, for the Christmas trees, while decorating them with lights, make sure the lights are tightly wrapped around. The light string will dangle within the cat’s reach when the lights are hung loosely.
Option 2: Roadblocks
If you can limit or restrict your cat’s movements, you can reduce your cat’s attempt to sabotage your Christmas tree. Setting up roadblocks doesn’t necessarily mean putting obstacles in your cat’s path. It can be removing certain objects in their paths. Many cats use objects such as tables or chairs close to Christmas trees to launch themselves.
You can set up a small gate or fence to block it from Christmas trees. Alternatively, you can keep pine cones at the base of Christmas trees. This will work because cats detest pine cones and avoid stepping on them to launch themselves into the tree. It’s an effective method of cat-proofing your tree.
Option 3: Artificial Trees
Using a fake tree instead of a real tree will keep your cats safe. How? The tree trunk of the latter has resin in it, and if the cat bites the trunk, it might swallow some of it. The resin in your cat’s stomach can trigger nausea or a stomach injury. There’s also the danger of pine needles. Your cat might nibble on it, and this is dangerous. Those leaves are called needles for a reason.
Those leaves in your cat’s mouth can cause severe injuries, and you might spend a significant part of your Christmas morning at the veterinary clinic for emergency surgery. Get an artificial Christmas tree if your cat is fond of nibbling on objects. Aside from the absence of resin and sharp leaves, there will be no stagnant water in the tree stand. If your cat ingests this, it can make them sick.
Also, ensure you get a smaller tree so that if despite all your precautions, your cat decides to still get at it and topples it over, the damage will be minimal.
Option 4: Natural Cat Repellent
This is arguably the easiest way to cat-proof your Christmas tree. It’s a known fact that cats generally dislike citrus scents. You can use that knowledge to your advantage by concocting a citrus-based repellent. All you need is some water and a few drops of citronella oil. An alternative means of making a spray repellent is to soak orange peels in water overnight.
You may not even need to spray the repellent to keep your cat away. Simply place peels of an orange or any citrus fruit at the tree base. It will be enough to keep the tree free from your cat. If you opt for this method, ensure you replace the peels twice weekly to maintain the scent around your tree.
A third method of keeping cats away using this option is by mixing water with apple cider vinegar. Put the mixture in a spray bottle and apply it to your tree. Problem solved.
Option 5: Firm Tree Stand
Sometimes, your tree stand can be the difference maker. If your Christmas tree is tucked into a light stand, it will be easy for your cat to knock it down. On the other hand, if you buy a heavy stand, it will be virtually impossible for your cat to knock it down.
So, if you’re yet to get a tree stand and you have a cat in the house, ensure it’s a stand firm enough to secure your tree from cat attacks. Alternatively, if you already have a light stand, don’t worry. Simply add weights to this stand to improve its firmness. For best results, we recommend attaching the stand to something heavy to keep it rooted to the floor.
Option 6: Minimal Decorations
This may surprise you, but spray repellents and roadblocks may not keep your cat away if your tree is dazzling with many juicy-looking ornaments and other decorations such as fake snow and jingle bells. Your cat can’t simply resist the allure and will find every means possible to get at your tree.
There are a couple of ways you can resolve this. First, ensure the branches close to the base of the tree are bare. Since they are easier for your cat to reach, it makes sense that there should be no ornaments on them. Second, don’t use breakable ornaments on your tree. Why? Because if your kitty can easily topple your tree, those ornaments can break, and the pieces can wound your precious kitty.
If Nothing Works
- Detach the Christmas lights from the power outlet or extension socket when you want to go out or retire for the night.
- Ensure your cat and the Christmas tree are not in the same room.
- Keep the tree close to a wall, and attach its top to the wall using a thin wire. This will keep your tree upright.
- Avoid placing presents underneath the Christmas tree. Instead, keep it far from the reach of your pet. A store will be preferable.
- If it’s a living tree, keep the water bowl you use to water your tree away from your cat, especially if you add chemicals such as fertilizers to the water you feed your tree.
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