One of the most searched items during winter season is this: how do I keep my cat from destroying the Christmas tree? To answer and prevent this problem, we have seven tips which you can try. These solutions are from fellow cat lovers or cat owners who have gone through many seasons of fallen trees and destroyed decorations. Avoiding these sad scenarios for the winter holiday, check out these ways to keep cats away from Christmas trees. Read about safety measures here.
Using Cages
Literally keep your cat away from your Christmas tree not by putting your cat in a cage but the tree. There are beautiful ways to transform simple cages into a work of art that compliments your tree. This is a sure way to keep your Christmas tree till the actual day of celebration while also keeping your kitty safe.
Spraying Cat-Repellent Scents
Oranges, lemon, or citronella oil are helpful scents that cat-proofs your seasonal decors; they’re natural, safe and lovely scents for your house while also doing its work against curious kitties. Just use extracts mixed with a little water and spray on your decorations like ornaments or the entire Christmas tree. This keeps cats away from Christmas trees
Decorating Out of Sight
If your cat sees you putting up the Christmas tree and its decoration, your kitty may take this for playing. Seeing you decorate your house can increase your kitty’s interest in these “playthings”; just as how you hold out some of your cat’s toys for him or her to play with. So, keep your cat out of sight until you finish decorating.
Distracting Your Cat
Try distracting your cat in two ways. First, place your kitty’s favorite toys in the same room and burn your cat’s energy with plenty of playtime. Second, place some of the things your cat dislikes near the Christmas tree. Things like vacuum cleaner or a trigger spray bottle can keep your cat away. Also try a cutout of a realistic picture of a fox or some animal. We don’t encourage the latter should it make your kitty anxious though. Here’s the key thing: make your cat engaged in other things in the room and associate Christmas tree as a thing to avoid.
Keeping Ornaments Less Enticing
This is where we start the sacrifice. As traditional and attractive ornaments are, you have the option to switch these for less cat-appealing decorations. Designs that sparkle, dangle and have reactions when touched like spinning, dangling and makes jingling sounds are sure to lure your cat. Opt for ones that don’t have to be less attractive to you but just for your cat.
Making a Cat-Proof Christmas Tree
If all the other tips don’t work or you’re simply willing to forgo some of the common Christmas decors, try this. Create a cat-proof Christmas tree alternative instead of having an actual one. A poster, wallpaper or a DIY Christmas tree are some of the creative options. This is a safer and simpler solution. Plus if you worry about your cat destroying and getting injured from various Christmas tree hazards like toppling, tangling or electrocution, this is your answer.
Keep your Cat Away from your Christmas Tree
The final tip for this problem which is not exactly easy to do; it’s to literally keep your cat away from your Christmas tree. Using cages is a good alternative but you still can’t be so sure with a sneaky kitty. So, either put your Christmas tree in a room your kitty can’t enter or place it in an inaccessible area like the ceiling.