Christmas trees must resemble enormous, glistening playthings for felines. Regrettably, they threaten kittens and may induce distress among cat guardians. So, how to keep your cat away from a christmas tree?
Before trimming a Christmas tree you bring home for the upcoming season, observe your cat’s reaction. After meticulous observation, you will be able to determine what precautions are necessary to safeguard your cat and ornaments.
How To Keep Your Cat Away From A Christmas Tree?
Seven methods for cat-proofing a Christmas tree are listed below.
1. Choose Your Tree Wisely
Several considerations should be taken into account when selecting a Christmas tree. To begin with, felines that consume needles or resin derived from pine or fir trees may suffer from vertigo or abdominal injury. A cat prone to nibbling on forbidden objects may benefit from using an artificial tree.
Stacy water also harbors microorganisms that are capable of inducing gastrointestinal distress. To prolong the freshness of trees, avoid using water additives, as they may contain hazardous preservatives and fertilizers.
If your cat is likely to climb and topple the tree, choose one that is smaller and will sustain less harm if it does. The most suitable Christmas tree for households with cats would be a miniature tabletop model positioned in a room inaccessible to felines throughout the holiday season or confined to another space when the kittens are absent.
2. Spray Repellants
Making spray repellents to deter cats from the tree is straightforward. An alternative is to use a spray of water diluted with citronella oil or citrus, as some felines detest the smell of citrus.
You may apply fresh lemon and orange skins to the tree’s base or intertwine with its branches. Substitute the peels every few days to preserve the fragrance. Spraying diluted apple cider vinegar around the tree’s base can also be an effective repellent for cats that dislike the odor.
3. Wrap Your Tree Base With Aluminum Foil
Aluminum foil is an efficient barrier that deters felines from approaching a Christmas tree. Completely encase the tree trunk and base in aluminum foil. Due to their aversion to the sensation and sound of foil, most cats will maintain their distance from the tree. Be sure to cover the aperture of the water-filled stand with foil if you have a real tree to prevent your cat from drinking.
4. Contain Cords
Electrical connections that dangle invite felines to engage in play and bite. A cat that consumes a live electrical cord may sustain burning or become electrocuted.
To prevent your cat from reaching the cords from the outlet to the tree:
- Use tape to cover them with cable covers and secure them to the wall.
- Encircle the lights around the trunk securely when adorning the tree to make them less visible.
- Remember to unplug lamps before leaving the house and sleeping.
5. Secure The Tree
Your cat might still accidentally enter your Christmas tree despite your utmost diligence. It would help to securely fasten the tree to prevent your curious cat from inadvertently destroying the entire structure. Begin with a sturdy tree stand, or supplement a lighter frame with additional weights to secure the tree to the ground. For added security, You can fasten the tree support to a substantial sheet of plywood.
Guarantee that the tree is positioned close to a wall. For stability, fasten a slender wire or clear fishing line to the ceiling and wall atop the tree. It will ensure that the tree remains upright.
6. Decorate Judiciously
No noxious repellent will be able to deter your cat from climbing a tree adorned with glittering, dangling ornaments, regardless of how much you spray on it.
To make your Christmas tree more cat-friendly:
- Refrain from suspending breakable ornaments from the lower portion of the tree.
- Ensure that the lowest branches of the tree remain devoid of any decorations or possible temptations.
- Attach embellishments to branches with wire to prevent them from detaching and shattering if an anxious cat paws at them.
It is advisable to suspend chimes from the tree’s lower branches to promptly intervene if your cat approaches, as the immediate jangling will serve as a notification.
7. Put Up Roadblocks
Possible measures to prevent a kitten from accessing a Christmas tree include the scale of the tree itself and any obstacles that you could erect around it. Dispose of any chairs or tables that could act as a platform for your cat to ascend further into the tree.
You may also enclose the tree with a baby gate, exercise enclosure, or fence to restrict your cat’s access. Certain felines are averse to treading on pine cones and avoid approaching the tree if positioned near its base. If those obnoxious pine cones are sprayed with apple cider vinegar, an odor they generally detest, you might even more deter them.
Cat owners have succeeded by erecting barriers consisting of crumpled plastic bags, lines of masking tape with the adhesive side facing upwards, and walls of wrapped gifts, including empty ones, to obstruct the view further. Depending on the preferences and personality of your cat, these strategies might or might not be effective.
To prevent a cat from accessing the Christmas tree, it is necessary to implement several measures: avoid enticing decorations, secure the tree with a stable base, and strategically position deterrents such as aluminum foil or double-sided tape. By offering alternative sources of distraction, such as climbing areas or cat-friendly items, their focus can be redirected, thereby promoting a harmonious holiday season.
Thank you for reading…..