Keeping cats away from Christmas tree

[Pitstop1986]

We have two Maine coons who have been obsessed with our Christmas tree since we put it up in the weekend. They try to climb it, eat the branches, use it as a scratch post, etc. We put it up in the conservatory and try to keep them out of that room, but if we sit there of an evening, we always feel bad that they can't come in for a stroke and some attention.

Plus, every time we open the door to go in or out, one of them will make a dash for it and try to get in there. We've already had the tree knocked over once.

I wondered if there's anything that we can spray on the tree or anything to put on the tree that'll act as a deterrent. We have a little one and it seems a shame that if we simply stop putting up a tree because of the cats (this is our last resort, but we're seriously considering it), as they won't have a proper Christmas or childhood memories of a tree

Pet corrector spray?

I know my dog hates that hissing sound. You don't spray it at them, it just makes a noise. Usually cats desist from behaviour once something unpleasant enough happens and they associate it with that behaviour (my cat climbed the tree and knocked it over - but never did it again). Also make sure they have something nice to scratch - my cats like the wicker laundry basket, and I don't care about them scratching that. Try distracting them with catnip sacks, toy mice and so on.

Also they don't usually like citrus scents, so maybe spray something lemony/orangey near the tree.

I haven't tried pet corrector on my cats but they run out of the room when I get my dry shampoo spray out as they hate the noise - I've never sprayed it towards them or anything.

Surround it with tin foil

Accept the destruction. It’s gods will.

Pet Behave spray www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00QAVXIIE/?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Or Scenticles
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B077QBM4NK/?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

@mug2018

Surround it with tin foil

I was going to say, put the tree on widespread tin foil.

Have you got a decent Christmas tree stand? I have a Krinner and the tree is pretty secure though luckily the cat isn't interested so it's never been truly put to the test.

A hoover under the tree?

@Fluffycloudland77

Accept the destruction. It’s gods will.

This.

Ours hate Peppermint or Lavender or Eucalyptus essential oil and will give a wide berth, but you have to make sure it's not put anywhere that they could get it on their paws or fur.

With our tree, I have a short length of garden wire from a hook in the wall, wrapped around the tree trunk and back to the hook. Even better if there are two hooks 2 or 3 feet apart vertically.
That way the cats get their fun with the tree and there's no way it can be knocked over.

Last year it seemed a cat was in the tree all the time. One got out, another would take its place. This year they are ignoring it.

Thanks for the tips guys. I'm currently drying out orange slices in the oven and have made a tinfoil base and moat around the tree. We used to put tinfoil on the kitchen countertops to stop them jumping up there, and that worked a treat, so hopefully that'll do the trick!

Is it a real tree? Maybe they'd be less interested in an artificial one.

It's an artificial tree. DH doesn't like the thought of killing a tree each year for Christmas

Also, the orange slices smell amazing. If they don't deter the cats, they make a lovely air freshener as they are!

This is as close as one of mine gets to the tree. The other one isn't interested in it either