Cats and Christmas Tree

[BusyEvenForBee]

Well, after seeing a few Christmas related trends, I started thinking about Christmas Tree this year.
I have two senior Maine Coons and did not have any problems before apart from occasional decoration being played with. Now, in addition to Maine Coons I have two very playful 5 months old ragdolls and have sneaky suspicion that days of a lovely untouched still standing Christmas Tree are over:-)

Did a fast research and look at this:

www.christmastreeworld.co.uk/cat-proof-christmas-tree?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9KnK6tjZ6wIVh7h3Ch3wnQSuEAMYASAAEgK32PD_BwE

Are they for real?

Anyway, please share your experiences with active cats and Christmas Tree. Any tips are greatly appreciated!

Start the decorations half way up

We had 2 ragdolls about the same age last Christmas.

Girlcat loved batting the baubles, boycat largely ignored it except to zoomie behind it when they were having their mad half-hour.

We did find a little stash of smaller decorations behind the settee when we moved, which he must have been quietly collecting :)

our only cat-proofing was to put most of the baubles a bit higher (didn't want to spoil girlcat's fun entirely).

This year they've been out in the garden and done some tree-climbing, so it might be they'll be more of a handful!

My ragdoll are boys but they are into everything. I have small willow in the garden in the pot, they are constantly on top! Normally we had artificial tree but got rid of it after last Christmas as it was pretty old. That is why thinking what to do this year.
Might buy a set of unbreakable baubles.

Have you seen the price tag on that tree?

Well we have a hook in the ceiling, top of (fresh) tree is tied to it. And we decorate with unbreakable items the bottom 50-75 cm.

@giantangryrooster

Have you seen the price tag on that tree?

Well we have a hook in the ceiling, top of (fresh) tree is tied to it. And we decorate with unbreakable items the bottom 50-75 cm.

I know, could not believe I saw it! Do not think they will be getting many sales...

I like the idea of tying up the top of the tree. Can imagine cats reaction when they see the tree in the house :-)

You need shatterproof baubles at least.

Our tree is outside on the patio with just fairy lights most of December so they get used to it.

When younger one in particular loved to climb up the tree. You could suddenly see the tree quiver (don't know if this is the right word ) and then suddenly his head would emerge between branches and decorations . Now they mostly wack the baubles (soft). Youngest one is known to occasionally spray, therefore I sprinkle the tree with lavender oil to deter him. It doesn't smell very Christmassy though .

No such thing as a cat proof Xmas tree! All 3 cheesecats are arseholes like to play with ours.

We've got shatterproof baubles and don't put any on the bottom couple of layers of branches to make it look a bit less tempting.

Good luck OP

Sprinkle pepper on the bottom branches, they'll soon leave it alone!

Our 2 BSH have only climbed the tree the first year we got them, they are now 6.

We generally keep the door shut in the living room (where the tree is) if we aren't in. They do chase each other under it, FluffyCat likes to hide under it and spy on the room. MissTilly likes to chew on the bottom branches of our (fairly realistic but very fake) tree!
Weirdly, they aren't too interested in the baubles...

My Iast boy used to try and eat ceramic baubles

We FB put a screw in ring into the wall and tether the tree to the wall

I've never had a problem before (apart from one 23 year old cat knocking all the bottom decorations off and chasing them round like a kitten - very sweet).

But this year we have two psycho kittens and, given that her-cat likes to spend her mornings on top of the chimney, I just know they're going to be trouble.

I posted a while back and someone suggested a wall hanging. I know it's not the same as a real tree at all but I've ordered one of these to hang in the bay window. I will put some battery lights on it (which they'll probably chew through) and some felt decorations that I have. They'll probably use it as a ladder. Bastards.

www.notonthehighstreet.com/dibor/product/christmas-tree-wall-ladder?DGMKT=FID__TID_aud-320996244214:pla-340923713262_PID_745235_CRI_340923713262&gclid=CjwKCAjw2Jb7BRBHEiwAXTR4jZzOIWHTjWd1o7Nlt8zZGCRtslDc9cb63jIR2nnNDS5STUhHmgd4ghoCC7MQAvD_BwE

My brother used to have an inflatable tree, which his cats never bothered with.

Just a reminder if you do risk having a tree, avoid those long shiny strands. Looks very peculiar coming out of the cat's bum when they poo! Also, more seriously, they can get wrapped round in the intestines

My cat won’t touch a real tree. Artificial one lasted about 4 seconds.

Oh and no tinsel!