Expert Tips on How to Cat Proof Your Christmas Tree and Keep Them Safe
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Decorating your Christmas tree is a joyous holiday tradition… Most of the time. For homes with cats (like Jonathan and Zooey!), these festive flora can make the holiday quickly turn from happy to hazardous. From broken glass ornaments on the floor to wires that are easily chewable to potentially toxic decorations, there are loads of ways that Christmas trees can lead to chaos for cats. That’s why learning how to cat-proof your Christmas tree is so important.
If you know what you’re doing, don’t worry! You can still keep your kitties healthy while creating the holiday motif of your dreams. To bring you all of the tips to keep your cat and your Christmas tree safe and sound this holiday season, we spoke with Dr. Erin Berg, a Virtual Veterinarian at Chewy, to bring you everything you need to know about Christmas tree safety for cats.
“Having a cat doesn’t necessarily mean giving up your Christmas tree, but you do need to take a few precautions,” Berg says. Keep reading for her expert advice on how to cat-proof your Christmas tree, as well as some real-life advice, below.
1. Go Artificial
Are Christmas trees toxic to cats? Potentially. Common pine and fir trees can be mildly toxic to cats, so if you have a cat in your home, consider going for an artificial tree instead of a real one.
“Tree sap, oils, and water in the stand can cause irritation to the stomach and mouth, and the needles themselves can be sharp, causing injury when ingested,” says Berg.
2. Choose Your Ornaments Wisely
Trees covered in tinsel and colorful string look picture-perfect to human eyes, but to cats, these shiny objects are big, irresistible playthings. When you’re deciding what ornaments to put where, be mindful of what’s within your cat’s reach.
“If swallowed, tinsel and ribbon can get stuck in the digestive tract, causing serious intestinal blockage that may require surgery,” explains Berg. “Broken ornaments can also cut paws or mouths, and chewing on light cords can cause burns and electrical shock.”
Definitely don’t hang anything irreplaceable where your kitty can reach it, and avoid ornaments like jingly bells and stuffed animals that resemble cat toys. Another option? Stock your tree with shatterproof ornaments that won’t break no matter how hard your pet plays.
3. Be Strategic About What’s Nearby
For homes with cats who love to climb, the tree is only one part of the holiday puzzle. You also need to consider how to keep your cats out of the Christmas tree in the first place.
“Be thoughtful about everything within your cat’s reach,” offers Berg. “If possible, place your tree in an area away from kitty launching pads such as cat trees, countertops, and furniture.”
To keep your kitty from playing at the bottom of the tree, you can even put a pet gate around it, stack some gift boxes, and hang delicate decorations up high.
4. Anchor the Tree
“Even a sturdy tree stand may not hold up to a determined climber,” says Berg. She suggests anchoring your tree to the wall with a secure tether and hook for extra stability.
To anchor the tree, first find the stud in a nearby wall. Then, drill in the hook, and use twine, fishing line, or wire to connect the tree securely in place. That way, everything will stay upright where it should be.
5. Distract the Cats
To take your cat’s attention off of your actual Christmas tree, try distracting them with a similar toy that they can interact with.
“Cats like to have a higher vantage point (think about their larger cousins, the lions, lying on top of a hill surveying their domain), so providing an alternative perch, such as a cat tree, will help keep them off your decorations,” Berg says. “You can even get a cat tree that resembles an actual tree, and there are lots of other options from a cactus scratching post to multi-level cat trees that will give them something to climb on and occupy their attention.”
You can even go for a festive alternative, like a Christmas cat scratching tree or Christmas tree cardboard cat house.
6. Think Beyond the Christmas Trees
Trees aren’t the only Christmas decor that can be dangerous for cats. “Potpourri, lit candles, as well as seasonal plants and flowers like lilies, holly, mistletoe, amaryllis, and poinsettias can all pose risk to cats,” Berg says.
When you’re making your home look merry and bright, think through every choice, and opt for materials and plants that are safe for every member of the family, especially the ones with four legs.
Bonus: Real-Life Tips and Advice
When in doubt, we can always rely on Reddit for crowdsourced advice. We combed the boards about cat-proofing Christmas tree tips, and the responses ranged from helpful to hilarious. Check out some of the best—and most outrageous—advice we read:
- “Toddler method,” offers one reply. “No breakable ornaments. If they are climbers, either a baby gate or you may need to find a way to attach the tree to the wall or ceiling.”
- “Can’t help ya. The first time I put up a Christmas tree with my cat she jumped off the couch and body slammed it, snapping the stand in half. It’s now being held up by a brick,” one user shares.
- Adds another, “I tie a fishing line at the top and hook it to the ceiling.”
- One contributor suggests protecting your valuables. “Put the cheap crappy ornaments towards the bottom, so if you have a swatter, the Hallmark or heirloom ornaments get a pass.”
- Another user offers some blunt advice: “No tinsel. Ever! Cats eat it and then they either vomit it up or poop it out and you do not want that!!! Gag! Plus you have a sick kitty, and that’s not a Feliz Navidad.”
- “Cats don’t like citrus. If you put citrus rinds in your tree, the cat will stay out of it, or at least mine stayed away!” writes another.
- My plan this year is using this remote device,” one user comments. “I’ve hooked it up to an unused small vacuum cleaner concealed under the tree…Any time he goes near it I turn it on with the remote and he’s out of there. The fact that the sound is coming from the tree seems to be doing the trick. It’s working so far.”
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Amy Gordon
Amy Gordon is a freelance writer and editor who splits her time between New York, NY and Vieques, PR. When she’s not at her desk, you’ll probably find her on a plane with her nose in a book, in the Caribbean snorkeling through coral reefs, or on the couch watching true crime TV. Learn more and read her work at www.amygordonmedia.com.
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