Christmas tree, the great center of holiday cheer, usually becomes the focal point of curiosity for felines. The curious nature of a cat is not always good news. Their playful interactions can be very entertaining; however, the results can range from a toppled tree, and shattered ornaments, to possibly even hazards for your kitty. To cats, the Christmas tree symbolizes the ultimate playground-from climbing its branches to swatting at ornaments and decorations. Don’t worry, this blog will offer you some ways to enjoy a festive tree while keeping it from your cat.
Why Cats Are Obsessed with Christmas Trees
More so, a Christmas tree lights up a room while commanding the undivided attention of our feline pets. Understanding the various underlying causes for your cats’ preoccupation with the Christmas trees helps you better understand ways to keep cats from attacking or messing up the Christmas trees.
Curiosity and Investigation
They are very curious creatures that quite often get attracted to something entering their space and catching their eye. The Christmas tree may just be a bit too overwhelming-standing this tall, full of interesting textures. Real trees would bring one special scent of pine to their noses, and artificial trees would completely be made from different materials. That is like an invitation for investigation from the very lowest branch all the way to the highest.
Enchantment by Ornaments and Decorations
Shiny ornaments catch and reflect light, mimicking the glint of prey that stirs a cat’s hunting instincts. Decorations such as baubles and bells make enticing sounds when nudged, and this encourages playful swats. Tinsel and ribbons, with their shimmer and flutter, become an irresistible challenge to bat at, reminiscent of the movement of something alive.
A Perfect Climbing Opportunity
Cats are born climbers. The tree, with its tiered branches, invites a nice structure to conquer. For adventurous felines, the Christmas tree feels just like a jungle gym, luring them to exercise their climbing talents and laze in their “achievement” perched high up.
Boredom or Attention-Seeking
A Christmas tree can become the perfect outlet for a cat lacking mental stimulation. Its dynamic elements provide endless entertainment. Sometimes, their antics serve a dual purpose: not just play, but a way to grab your attention.
How to Keep Cats Away from Christmas Tree?
Keeping your Christmas tree safe from curious cats doesn’t need to be an ongoing battle. With the proper strategies, you can have a festive and cat-friendly holiday.
Choose the Right Place for the Tree
The place for the Christmas tree is one of the important strategies for keeping it out of access from cats.
Avoid Accessible Areas
Place the tree in a location where your cat cannot easily reach. Try not to place it near furniture, shelves, or anything elevated like windowsills that could encourage climbing. Keeping the tree away from these decreases the likelihood of interactions with your cat.
Use Barriers or Separate Spaces
If at all possible, place the tree in a room with a door so access can be restricted to when you are there to supervise your cat. In open areas, barriers such as pet gates may be used to keep your cat away from the tree. These measures will go far in protecting both your tree and your cat this holiday season.
Cat-Proof the Christmas Tree
Cats are naturally curious and drawn to the excitement of a Christmas tree, but a few adjustments can help keep them away.
Use Unbreakable Ornaments
Replace the glass or ceramic ornaments with plastic and metal ornaments. Bright shiny objects attract cats that might entice them to ingest a broken piece of ornament. Hence, it is always wise to use hardy material to avoid injuries or potential ingestion. You should also attach each ornament tightly at the branches so that the cat won’t easily remove them from the tree.
Expose Ornament Higher
If necessary, the tree should be decorated on the higher branches mainly, leaving the lower parts less decorated or bare. For that matter, this will keep your tree ornaments out of reach which in turn minimizes its accessibility to your cat.
Use a Tree Skirt
A thick tree skirt can be placed around the bottom of the tree by pet owners. The skirt covers the trunk and makes access to climbing difficult for cats. In the case of real trees, the skirt also covers the reservoir to prevent cats from drinking harmful water.
Discourage the Cat’s Interest
To discourage your cats from going near the Christmas tree, there are various effective deterrents you may try. These methods reduce curiosity on the part of your cat and limit interaction with the tree.
Avoid Tinsel and Ribbons
You should not use tinsel and ribbons because they resemble string-like prey, and if swallowed, cause serious internal problems. Removing these from your tree will make it less tempting to your cat and a safer place.
Wrap the Tree Base with Aluminum Foil
The bottom of the tree wrapped in aluminum foil makes an undesirable surface for cats. Cats tend to avoid the foil, which has a crinkly texture and an unusual sound. Add this layer to make the tree base less appealing for climbing.
Spray with Citrus-Scented Deterrent
You can spray a pet-safe citrus-scented deterrent around the tree, or even scatter orange peels around the base of the tree. Cats for the most part don’t like citrus smells, and this would make the tree area less inviting to them.
Set up motion-activated sprays or alarms
Other deterrents to be used are motion-activated sprays or sound alarms that go off when your cat approaches the tree. It works because of the jarring interruption of their quiet exploration, helping your cat associate the tree with the unwelcome surprise to stop further curiosity.
Monitor and Lead Cats
You need to closely monitor your cat near the Christmas tree, particularly for the first few days since setting it up. When home, keep an eye on your cat and gently deter them from approaching the tree. Encourage positive reinforcement by giving them treats or affection by staying away from the tree.
You can trust technology to monitor your cat once you leave the house. You can use a pet camera for remote monitoring of their behaviors and ensure that they will not tamper with the tree. For convenience, a pet camera feeder will be in a position to monitor and feed your cat on schedule. This will keep them engaged and distracted while you’re away. Here, we introduce the Beardpet‘s pet indoor camera or 5L camera feeder which helps you monitor your cats anytime and anywhere.
Conclusion
The whys behind cats’ predilection for Christmas trees are many, and understanding their motivations, along with some practical steps, can save both your decorations and your cat from harm. Whether choosing a specific place, applying some of those handy ways to cat-proof a house, or using effective deterrents, these methods will spare you from stressful nights. Let your tree glitter this year, not accompanied by the extra headache from feline naughtiness.
