Christmas trees and cats

[meandtheguys2]

So...I am not having Thanksgiving at my house and am considering putting up my Christmas tree to allow my felines an opportunity to get used to a tree in the house. The kittens, who are now 8 month old fat cats have a tendency to climb everything! they already have two climbing toys, but I know they will be drawn to my tree.

So...If I put the tree up now, minus the lights and ornaments, what is the best way to teach them to leave it alone? Can it be done?

TIA for any help!

*Just for the record I have never had a tree up before Thanksgiving!

 

[HisEllyNelly]

I always got the tree with the sharpest needles (not sure which type that is) but it kept them and the kids away. Although my children never bothered them the cats have always been curious so when they go up to the tree and sniff, they get a sharp little poke in the nose and stay away. Worked for me.

 

[meandtheguys2]

What a great idea! However, due to hubby's allergies we have a soft fake tree!

 

[Lady Cluck]

It's been many years since I've had purr babies in the house, but in the past, I've "child proofed" the tree. These ideas might help with toddlers around, too.

The ornaments were all non-breakable. I used fishing line to anchor the tree to the ceiling (to a plant hook or beam) and a nearby wall or piece of heavy furniture. It was a live tree, so I used non-toxic tree preservative and a securely fitted tree skirt.

Edited to add: Don't use the mylar / plastic "icicles". or anything like string that the wee ones could accidentally swallow.

My critters are older now, and do not bother the live tree. They just like to sit under it. Makes for some cute pictures!

 

[2BOYMOM]

We have a ferret and it will be his first Christmas with us. He gets into everything! I know we are going to have big problems with the tree this year.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Growing up I remember a couple of "tree incidents" but not many! Thank you for your advice. Have decided not to put the glass ornaments up this year!

 

[gr8tpanther]

My cats don't bother the tree as far as climbing, they just take the ornaments off and hide them in "their spot"

 

[The Mystery Machine]

8 month old kitties?

Do not put anything breakable that you cherish on the tree. It may end up on the ground more than once. No glass!

I have had many cats and they liked to do everything from fight in in sending it to the floor, to sleep in it. Just make sure the tree is sturdy.

 

[CheshireVal]

My cats have never bothered a tree, and these are cats who generally get into EVERYTHING.

We put the non-breakable ornaments on the bottom for the kitties to "play with." (They like to bat them around on occasion and sometimes knock them down).

They LOVE sitting under the tree hidden by all the branches and presents. And they LOVE the bows on the presents even more!

But, as far as trying to climb the tree or knock it over, so far so good.

This year we've got a brand new kitten (5 months old) and I'm a *little* worried about her, but hopefully she'll do just as well!

 

[meandtheguys2]

All right, I do understand toddler proofing! These cats walk up on the curtain rods, though, and my toddlers never did that! Securing it is good, and I think we will just make some more ornaments this year...

Thanks guys! It should be a ball!

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by Lady Cluck
It's been many years since I've had purr babies in the house, but in the past, I've "child proofed" the tree. These ideas might help with toddlers around, too.

The ornaments were all non-breakable. I used fishing line to anchor the tree to the ceiling (to a plant hook or beam) and a nearby wall or piece of heavy furniture. It was a live tree, so I used non-toxic tree preservative and a securely fitted tree skirt.

My critters are older now, and do not bother the live tree. They just like to sit under it. Makes for some cute pictures!

We also had to use fishing line to anchor it to the ceiling. We had young cats back then and they took great joy in scurring up the tree. Now that my cat is older she just likes to hide under it.

 

[ToriLammy]

To keep cats from climbing the tree sprinkle Cayenne pepper on the branches. My cat loved to climb our tree. He would go to the top and just find a branch to lay on. Someone suggested this, I sprinkled and he stopped. You won't be able to smell it but the cats can.

 

[liznboys]

I have no idea, but this reminds me of what one of my cats used to do with the Christmas tree... She would climb up the inside as high as she could go, and just lay in there on the branches peering out at us for hours and hours! She was all black and you didn't know she was there unless you really looked. She spooked me a couple times! LOL It was SO cute!! I miss her, my little Mitzi cat.

We never managed to keep our cats away from the tree, so we just didn't put anything too fragile on it, and we tied it to the ceiling with fishing wire so it wouldn't tip! Oh and we kept it unplugged whenever we weren't around to make sure they didn't chew a light string... eek!

 

[meandtheguys2]

Now I could see my sweeties hanging out in there! Right now, they perch on the highest point of their climber and watch the birds at the feeders! (or try to catch the ladybugs on the ceiling!)

 

[DMickey28]

Good Post!!

My kitties are two now and they were around a big tree when they were 5 months old and were fine but they weren't around a big tree last year. the small one I would set up on a table always ended up on the floor... this year will be the first time we have our own big one. Should be interesting...

We also have a 3.5 month old puppy now... lotsa fun!!

 

[katerkat]

My pookies never climbed the tree - I think they're too fat. But it was a favorite hiding spot during their tussles. That tree skirt never stayed in place! So my main thing was making sure it was secure and sturdy. And all ornaments and tinsel were out of kitty reach.

And because I can't post about my babies without a pic:

Die, tinsel, die!

 

[meandtheguys2]

Awwww! What a cutie! I have been knitting, and left a ball of yarn out one day. When we came home that evening it looked like a spider web. They had carried that yarn trought 4 floors, around tables, over furniture! They are sooo funny!

 

[Chicago526]

My friends cat would be in the tree before it was even fully assembled! Tasha would still be putting the top half of the tree up when Tigger would hop in! They always anchored it, but still had breakable ornimates on it after they disovered that Tigger didn't bother them, she just wanted to climb. They never used tinsle/iceicles anyway, so that wasn't an issue.

My problem is my dog. She's a larger dog with a BIG fluffy tail that knocks in to everything when is is waggin her tail (which is most of the time). She's walked pas the tree and whapped it so hard she's almost knocked the whole thing down, let alone knocing the ornamites off.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Our lab used to knock every ornament lower than 3 foot off with her tail. She was not an exceptionally graceful dog...

 

[disneysnowflake]

My Purrman is 8 years old. We've tried putting Vicks on the tree. Didn't work. She'd just squint her eyes because of the smell and climb the tree anyway.
We've tried putting orange peel in the tree because our vet said that would keep her away. Didn't work.

This year we're leaving for WDW on Dec 11. We won't be putting up our tree until we get back. Purrman is staying at the house with my family checking on her twice a day. If I put the tree up before we left I think it would be a disaster.