I love having a Christmas tree in my home during the holidays. Last year, Digit and Furl pretty much ignored the tree. I'm concerned now that they are adult cats that they might find it to be a wonderful new toy. How do you keep cats away from your tree?
Daily Kitten Chat Forum » General Chat
How do you cat-proof a Christmas tree?
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Posted 2 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #
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There are two methods I believe people use.
One is to install a hook in the ceiling, above where the tree is to be located (and anchored in a stud). Then one ties the tree (around 2 inches in diameter or more, wherever that falls on the tree) with clear monofilament fishing line to the hook.
The other is to use a large piece of plywood to anchor the tree stand. A 4'x4' sheet should be large enough, especially if one adds weight somewhere along the outside edge. One has to bolt the tree stand to the plywood. This assembly is cleverly hidden with a properly sized tree skirt.
Those are the only methods with which I'm familiar; I'd love to hear about other methods!
Posted 2 years ago by anncetera2 #
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I have been toying with the idea of an upside down tree hung from the ceiling, but haven't done it yet. One would need a higher ceiling because I can only picture coming home and seeing a cat hanging from the tree upside down and yowling his/her head off madly.
Posted 2 years ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #
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I have never had a cat remotely interested in climbing a Christmas tree. One reminder out there. Never put tinsle on the tree. It can seriously damage a cat's digestive system if consumed.
Posted 2 years ago by KYKAT 12 23 #
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Ppearson, really? Wow! I've only had a few cats that weren't interested in climbing the tree.
Posted 2 years ago by anncetera2 #
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I remember one year when Mamma Kitty's first litter was about 3 months old. The house was total mayhem as it was with the four kittens running crazy amongst the 5 adult cats we had at the time. My roommate wanted a Christmas tree and I said, "But what about the kittens? They will destroy it!!" He said, "Just put it up out of reach of the kittens." No, I am not making that up -- he actually said to put the tree up out of the reach of the kittens!
After I had regained the ability to breath and could talk without breaking into another giggle fit I said, "Seriously, what about the kittens?"
We did manage to keep the Christmas tree in one piece but the daily cleanup and redecorating was a bit of a pain at times.
Posted 2 years ago by owlwatcher_974 #
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I have two words for you................Water Bottle!!
Now when my kids see the bottle, they scram.......problem solved!
Posted 2 years ago by debsterwiz #
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NO GLASS ORNAMENTS!!!!!
Posted 2 years ago by Jadete in TN #
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Very cute pics on that topic...
http://www.fluffytails.ca/christmas.aspPosted 2 years ago by Dee from Tampa #
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Thanks for all the ideas. Keep them coming! :-)
Posted 2 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #
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----"Very cute pics on that topic...
http://www.fluffytails.ca/christmas.asp"----Oh my cute!!!!!!!
Those cats are gorgeous!!!!
Posted 2 years ago by owlwatcher_974 #
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Moonshadow's first Christmas with us was when she was 11 months old. She lived in the tree (fake one because of pine allergies). She made herself comfortable tucked up against the trunk and a branch and surveyed her realm. The next year she was too heavy and with the tree wobbling she decided it wasn't so much fun and never climbed it again. I have bells hanging on the lower branches and if they ring I just call out her name and she leaves the tree alone.
Posted 2 years ago by Moonshadow_NZ #
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lol, I have laughed so much that I can't quit coughing!!! This is why I have even broached the idea of a tree, even though I must spend $1,000 + every year on Hallmark ornaments, lol.
Posted 2 years ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #
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All my ornaments are plastic, wooden or cloth. I attached string to the top of the tree and anchor it in at least two places.
Tinsel has not been a part of our trees in a very long time, but I do add garlands.
I don't put any tree preserver in the water. (We still get a real tree every year).
And as far as I am concerned, the tree is for the cats as much as it is for us.Posted 2 years ago by artistabobbi TX 1/17 #
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The first year I had cats, I tried spraying the Christmas tree skirt with pet repellant. It made the whole room stink to high heaven, though, so I replaced the skirt. After that, one of my kitties at the time, Tiger Lily, climbed the tree and knocked it over straight into the Advent wreath on which the candles were lit. Fortunately, the tree smothered the candle flames and nothing caught fire. Batting and removing ornaments on low branches were the only "incidents" for years, until we got Buttercup. On her first Christmas 7 years ago, she climbed the tree and slept in it, but also created a major problem. It was an artificial tree with small white lights pre-attached to it, and she BIT THE LIGHTS IN HALF! Somehow she didn't get injured or sick doing this. Now we have some small, realistic-looking artificial trees, one of which Penny managed to knock over promptly after it was placed on the table. It has been secured to the table with museum gel. The trees have small white lights on them, but the strings are removable and will be removed if anyone's mouth goes near them. One tree has been decorated with my husband's collection of Spode ornaments, one of which I noticed is broken. Ah, well, I suppose I'll stop by Replacements Limited.
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I just wanted to point out that the link I posted was originally posted by Dee from Tampa. I just quoted it when I posted my reply. So the credit for that amazing link with the pictures of those adorably mischievous kitties goes to Dee.
Posted 2 years ago by owlwatcher_974 #
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I have had to think long and hard on this one and I think I have found the solution.
WRAP IT IN DUCT TAPE
Posted 2 years ago by ailuromaniac #
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ROFLMAO!!!
Posted 2 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #
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I secured my artificial trees to the ceiling w/ monofilament and a hook in the ceiling and I always put bells on the tree. This usually works to at least let me know when they are playing in it.
I had one wonderfully playful kitty named Big Kitty(original I know but no other name stuck) who got so good at raiding the tree he would take one of the tiny unbreakable balls off the bottom and be laying down looking innocent by the time I got to the living room where I would only find a the little ornament hook dangling. He gave me his best "Who me? look and I didn't know what was happening to the ornaments until I moved out later and found about 10 of them behind the couch. He was one of the sweetest kits I've ever had,a big marmalade boy,who died when he was five but those were 5 good years. I always remember christmas with a smile when I remember him. -
That is such a sweet story Marsha...
Posted 2 years ago by PipasMumSpain #
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Amazingly, Tikka has never been interested in our Christmas tree! I think the very first year we had her, she was about 6 months old at Christmas, and I think she did show a bit of curiosity, but after that - nada!
Thanks Dee & Owlwatcher for the Fluffy Tails site. I remember seeing that last year too. I can't wait for this year's installment!
Posted 2 years ago by Rubia in CA, 4/28 #
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Over the years some of my cats have been very interested in the tree, others not at all. Several years ago I had a super mischievious cat named Missy who successfully knocked the tree over several times, prompting a monfiliment line to stabilize. I didn't do the ceiling hook, I had enough "anchors" in the room, and since the tree was near a wall the lines didn't get in the way. Tinsel has been gone for the past 8 years that I've had Onyx...kept finding it in the litter pan!
Other than that he never bothered the tree. Little Oreo however has learned to remove the bottom branches (artifical)and thinks they make great playtoys. So I'm real careful of what I put on the lower branches...I only use a few breakable ornaments(that's about all that's left lol)and they are pretty far up.Posted 2 years ago by MaryLynnVa #
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Oh that fluffytails link was so funny! - the first year we had Pickle & Button, we gave up on the idea of a Christmas tree - we got one, but the girls spent so long in it, we decided they were decoration enough! Last year we decorated as normal, and aside from the odd bauble induced swipe, all was well...
Posted 2 years ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #
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I have more of a problem with three kits helping me wrap presents. All of my presents end up with tooth marks in the paper and fur under the tape. I never put ribbons on my presents until they have left the house and are on their way to the recipient.
Posted 2 years ago by KYKAT 12 23 #
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Yes, I use a water pistol for Sammy. It works fine and he knows 'no' BUT it doesn't stop him from trying again.
His first Christmas he climbed in and out of the tree without tipping it over!
I have a few good pix on catster of him doing this and exiting the tree. We
decorated with little stuffed animals and paper, wood, etc and Christmas lights. He thought he owned the tree! LOL. Last year he just looked at it. Tried to climb once but he was too big and didn't like it.Posted 2 years ago by SammyandOliversmama #
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