In the Battle of the Cat vs. the Christmas Tree, Here Are 9 Ways to Help the Tree Win

Quick Take

• That classic tree decoration most cat owners still use could land your pet in emergency surgery, and the culprit is not what you would expect. See the tinsel danger →
• Decorating while your cat watches feels harmless, but it's actually training them to attack your ornaments. Keep cats away while decorating →
• Two things already in your kitchen can make cats avoid the tree entirely, no gadgets or sprays required. Try citrus and foil →
• Where you put heirloom ornaments on the tree determines whether you keep them or lose them, and most people hang them in the worst possible spot. Hang ornaments strategically →

Sharing life’s adventures with your animal pals is one of life’s greatest delights. Naturally, it can sometimes be difficult to adjust to their quirks. If you live with cats, you likely understand what that entails. Cats are inquisitive explorers, so when it comes time to decorate your Christmas tree, you can bet they’ll check it out. 

So if you have a cat at home, decorating a tree over the holidays could be a little more challenging. A towering tree with shiny ornaments will attract cats, who may pounce on it, topple it, then steal the ornaments. Fortunately, there are several easy tips you can try to keep your cats safe and your tree looking festive.

How to Cat-Proof a Christmas Tree

There are several great ways to prevent your furry friend from ruining your holiday tree! A lot goes into setting it up, fluffing the branches, and placing what could be decades-old ornaments. Here are some of our favorite ways to keep your feline, and your holiday decorations, safe during the holiday season. 

Skip Real Trees

The draw of a real tree is undeniable, but they can be messy. Fallen pine needles also pose a risk to curious chewers, and they can pierce paws. Fake trees can be less expensive in the long run, often have built-in lights, and can be used for years to come. Another option is to purchase a smaller tree. Even if a crash does happen despite your best efforts, a smaller tree will suffer less damage than a larger one.

Position and Anchor the Tree

Position the tree far from any tables, chairs, bookshelves, or other furniture your cat might be able to use to launch into the tree. We suggest putting your tree in a corner of a room. The fewer sides of the tree your feline can access, the better. Plus, when a tree is in the corner, you can skip decorating the back of it. It’s a win-win. Use a heavy, sturdy base wherever you place it, and secure it to a wall or ceiling with some wire to prevent it from being knocked over by your pets.

Start Slow

Most cats find it difficult to adapt to changes in their schedule or surroundings. When an enormous, unanticipated pine tree covered with glittering ornaments suddenly appears in your home, it can be a lot for your cat to get used to. Experts recommend waiting a few days before putting on the lights or decorating your tree with that box full of vintage ornaments. Give your cat time to get used to the tree and eventually they may start to ignore it.

Secure Ornaments and Lights

Avoid using the pointy hangers typically used to display ornaments, as they can hurt curious cats; alternatively, you can wrap the hooks around the branch several times. Specialized clamps can also help prevent your cat from batting ornaments off of branches. The same can be said for tree lights. Make sure the lights aren’t so loose that they hang down, or your cat could pull down the entire tree. 

Separate When Decorating

It’s difficult enough to mess with trees, lights, and breakable ornaments without cats rushing up behind you and whacking the ornaments as soon as you carefully hang them up. It’s just easier to keep your cats out of the way until everything is set up, since they’ll think decorating is a game you want them to join. If your cats are nearby while you’re decorating, try to resist the urge to play with them as you add the ornaments. This will simply encourage your cats to view the glittering objects as toys that they can swat whenever they feel like it.

Pyramid Your Ornaments

Do you have heirloom ornaments that are special to you? Hang them on the highest branches of the tree. This is the safest place, as it is the area your cat is least likely to reach. Shatter-proof ornaments are a great option for the lower branches since they won’t be destroyed if your cats decide they look like a fun new toy. Plus, you won’t have to worry about your pet stepping on broken glass. You may also want to consider suspending some bells from the lower branches to act as a warning mechanism. You may need to step in if you hear those Christmas bells ringing!

Replace the Tinsel

While we’re talking about tree decorations, it’s time to ditch the tinsel. If your cat eats it, not only is tinsel a serious choking risk, but it can also cause life-threatening intestinal blockages. If that occurs, emergency surgery could drain your Christmas budget. Paper garlands are a better alternative. You can do a fun holiday activity with your family by getting construction paper and creating your own cat-safe garlands. 

Incorporate Citrus and Foil

Did you know that cats detest citrus scents? Put a few orange or lemon peels around the tree’s base to take advantage of this repulsion. You could even spray the tree with a pet-friendly citrus essential oil blend. Cats dislike the feel of foil, so you may also want to wrap the tree trunk in foil.

Gate Off the Tree

although using a free-standing pet safety fence or a small pet training cage may seem like an extreme measure, it may be worthwhile if all other options have been exhausted. Of course, some cat owners have gone further and caged the entire tree. After the holiday season, wooden pet gates and fences can be used to keep pets out of other areas.

Celebrate! 

You’ve taken all reasonable precautions to keep the tree safe and secure for your cat. No matter what you do, some cats will jump onto the tree, so as long as you’ve made it safe, it’s best to accept this and go with the flow. Resolve not to spend this holiday season trying to outwit your feline companion. 

If your cat does climb the tree, both cat and tree should be relatively safe, as long the tree is securely anchored to prevent it from falling and the ornaments are firmly attached to the branches. At least you’ll be able to snap some hilarious photos of your cat poking its head out from halfway up the Christmas tree. Happy Holidays!