Cats Ruining Your Christmas Tree ?

To your cats it’s just another new, shiny, interesting thing to explore.  To you, of course, it’s your Christmas tree.  It takes hours to get it looking just so, and in a few short seconds, it’s ruined!

If you have a real tree, you should be aware that the needles are toxic to pets, so you don’t want them chewing on them.  Spray the tree with anti-chew repellent.  Water it well so that you reduce needle shed.

Always use shatterproof decorations, not glass.

Here are some tips to prevent the tree being ravaged by your cats.

Christmas tree BEFORE the cats get at it!

• Put the tree up and leave it un-decorated for a few days.  This should satisfy their curiosity and get it out of their system.  Then you can decorate.
• Shut them out of the room completely (very difficult)
• Put a baby gate on the door to the room, so they can see but not touch 
• Don’t put shiny, hanging decorations at the bottom, leave the bottom branches empty
• Put a tree skirt around the bottom to cover up any cables or pot and/or spray the cables with repellant
• Spray the tree with Smartykat of Boundary
• If it’s a small tree, put it on a table
• Put tin foil under the tree, cats don’t like the feel and the sound of it
• Put some plastic carpet runner underneath with the spikey bits up, cats won’t tread on it
• Give your cat a piece of tinsel to play with.  But only while you are watching.  Never leave your cat alone with such a plaything.
• Try putting orange/lemon rind under the tree and on the pot
• Tether your tree to the wall or ceiling
• Don’t put presents under the tree
• Don’t put chairs etc. next to the tree

If you catch them up the tree -

Try shouting NO and spraying them with a water spray

If plain water fails, try adding a few drops of lemon and/or eucalyptus oil and shake well

HAVE A GREAT CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR