how to cat proof a tree

They need to be strong enough to withstand a cat’s pulling or batting. I came home one day to find the Christmas tree flat on the floor, ornaments everywhere, and Jack sitting innocently on the couch. Lay Down Aluminum Foil. You can make things harder for your cat, however, by only hanging decorations on the upper branches. You can also attach fishing string to some of the upper branches and secure them to the wall via removable hooks. Help the base do its job by securing the tree to the ceiling or wall with fishing line (a.k.a. Unlike a wild tree, a Christmas tree does not have a firm ground. Try These Deterrents. Keeping the cat away from an artificial Christmas tree is a snap thanks to a quick spritz of a citronella and water mixture or a store-bought cat deterrent. Spray the bottom of the tree with a diluted mixture of oil (just adding a few drops into a spray bottle will do the trick), and that might help keep your feline companions away. Learn from my mistake and make sure your tree is super secure and isn’t going to fall over when this happens. You could also invest in cat-proof cord covers that are designed to withstand kitty teeth and claws. 4. We started doing this after the Jack fiasco, and we haven’t lost another Christmas tree yet. Tinsel is extremely hazardous for cats and can cause an intestinal blockage if they ingest it. You could put a mesh type of grate over the tree stand to prevent your cat reaching the water. monofilament). Make time each day to play with your cat and make sure she burns off some of that pent up energy. Sweep up fallen needles regularly to protect your cat’s paws and insides. You May Think It’s Too Early For Christmas Memes, But You Are Wrong (30 Pics), It’s Cats Vs. If you’re serious about how to cat-proof your Christmas tree, this is one sacrifice that will be worth making. If your cat were to accidentally swallow or inhale those shiny strands, they could choke or cause a gastrointestinal obstruction. For most cat owners, the sound of a Christmas tree tumbling to the floor is something they hear multiple times throughout December. 10 Ways to Cat-Proof Your Christmas Tree. Keep live tree water basins covered. Cats typically don’t like the sound tin foil makes, and they’ll try to avoid it. My dog has already knocked bulbs off the tree a bunch of times so I might just get the saran wrap out and call it a day. My cat Jack taught me this lesson the year I moved into my first apartment. If you spray the bottom of the tree with those scents, it might be enough to keep your kitty out of the branches. And if you have especially fragile or sentimental ornaments, make sure those are placed on high, strong branches. That being said, cat-proofing — or at least keeping your cat away from your Christmas tree — is absolutely vital for a jolly (and smooth-sailing) holiday celebration. Granted, some cats may be genuinely disinterested in the flash and glow of that climbing (and bathroom) post, but it comes as no surprise if your feline is completely enamored. Cat-Proof Dangerous Ornaments. But there is now a solution, a cat-proof Christmas tree. Spray an Artificial Tree with Cat-Proofing Spray. Tinsel is like yarn in that it does not make a good cat toy. If you have a cat tower ensure it’s well away from the Christmas tree. Paint your tree using a spray bottle. That leaves you with a smaller area to protect. Choose the right tree that cats won't knock over (that may mean artificial) Sure they may not … 5. Wrapping the base of your tree or placing it under your tree stand will deter your cat from climbing or chewing it. Ornaments are going to be tempting to your cat no matter what. Cut a circle from the chicken wire the diameter of the tree trunk plus 30 inches, and then slice through one side to the center and cut a hole large enough to encircle the trunk. The most important thing is keep your cats safe. You could also consider spreading some aluminum foil on the floor near the tree, since most cats don’t like the sensation of foil on their paws. Here are tips to cat-proof your Christmas tree without sacrificing your holiday spirit. Here’s what Dr. Cunningham suggests you do to cat-proof your tree: Make sure the tree is secure. Therefore, it’s less fun for cats, so they might get bored and leave the tree alone. Never put chemicals or plant food in the water as this could be dangerous for cats. If you can, put your tree as close to the outlet as possible, so there isn’t a long cord to catch your cat’s attention. Decorate the Tree Wisely. Egeris. @2020 - All Right Reserved. According to Dr. Cunningham, the first thing you should do is ensure the tree is stable and secured in its stand to prevent tipping — especially if you have an adventurous climbing cat. Cat owners will know that no matter how much fresh water they have available in their bowl, most cats will prefer to drink water from just about anywhere else! Use A Cage. Then put the tree skirt at the foot or bottom of your Cat Proof Christmas tree box. Whether you go for petite and artificial or cut down a towering fir that scratches the ceiling, there’s one important factor you need to consider: your cat. One of the best ways of distracting your cat’s attention is by providing plenty of toys. For The Tree. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/SubToColeAndMarmaladeNot totally 100% cat proof, but close enough! Buy Four Paws Pet Deterrent Spray. Take care with lights. Tinsel has the potential to seriously harm or even kill your cat. Cattitude Daily, 7 Necessary Ways To Cat-Proof Your Christmas Tree. This makes it easier for cats to climb and knock down a Christmas tree. Avoid Using Wire Ornament Hangers. As you can see, the two cats on the video were having fun climbing up and down the tree. You can cat-proof your Christmas tree by putting a layer of tinfoil on the floor around the base of the tree. In that case, you can either remove the shiny stuff completely or put them out of reach. SAFETY FIRST. Citronella and citrus are two smells cats don’t like. Tips To Transition An Outdoor Cat To An... Tooth Resorption In Cats: A Widespread Painful Problem, How To Determine If Cats Are Playing Or If They’re Fighting, Why Cats Poop In The Tub And How To Prevent It. [Optional] : You can use the tool I used, It 's … Cat-Proofing Your Christmas Tree Stand Use a solid tree base with enough heft to hold the tree upright. In addition to a solid base, anchor the tree to the wall or ceiling to help prevent it from toppling over should your cat land in the tree or pull on … Place ornaments where it’s harder for your cat to reach them—at the top and toward the center of the tree (instead of on the ends of the branches). Choose shatter-proof ornaments that won’t break and become a hazard if your cat does manage to knock one off the tree. https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/12/22/critter-corner-for-the-week-of-dec-25 Assuming your cat is like most and develops a fascination with the Christmas tree, you might need to get creative. Every cat thinks differently, and you can adjust your cat-proofing strategy depending on how things go. If you put the tree in a corner, for example, the entire back and part of the sides will be inaccessible to your cat. Make a play area away from the tree with a mix of interactive games and catnip toys. If you’ve been wondering how to dog or cat-proof your Christmas tree, you might want to thank these people who’ve figured it out. Get Creative if You Must! Spray solution Bitter apple is a solution you can buy or prepare yourself by combining two cups of lemon juice and one cup of white vinegar in a spray bottle. This is a popular approach because there are tons of smells cats find not-so-pleasant and will want to avoid. Most cats will attempt to climb a Christmas tree starting from the bottom. You won’t completely squash your cat’s curiosity, but you can cat-proof your Christmas tree by limiting the areas where they could potentially climb or hide. From enclosing the entire tree in a wire dog kennel to only decorating the very top, there are some clever (and hilarious) ideas. Hide the cords as best you can or put them somewhere your cat can’t reach. “If you have a tree-climbing feline, your Christmas tree may topple, so make sure your tree is well secured to the ceiling or a wall,” Dr. Dilmore says. Avoid Using Tinsel. “The only cat-proof Christmas tree is no Christmas tree. Decorating the Tree Consider not decorating the tree initially. And, if you have a real tree, the water in the pot may prove irresistible. Maybe your cat is attracted to the shiny glass ornaments, but they leave the others alone. (The really mischievous ones might launch themselves off the back of the sofa.) At Christmas, many cat lovers struggle with keeping their cat away from their tree and decor so here are some tips that have worked for us in our cat-filled household and that will hopefully work for you too! But the ones attached to your Christmas tree will be especially intriguing to a curious cat. Keep reading for tips and tricks to ensure your beloved fur baby doesn't cause legitimate chaos and ultimately ruin Christmas this year. That’s not exactly likely, but you can hope. Place lights toward the center of the tree so that your cat is less tempted to chew on the wires and cover the end of the wire that plugs into the wall with a cord protector. If you saw the episode or BAD DOG on Animal Planet you saw how Spot the Cat went catnip crazy and took down our Christmas Tree. They’re shiny and swing when you hit them, which basically describes your cat’s ideal toy. A skinny tree, however, has less access. Avoid artificial snow – it’s toxic to pets and children. Apply Paint. Put a scented deterrent near the tree. Any time you have a plant that you don’t want your kitty digging in or climbing upon, put down a sturdy layer of aluminum ... 2. The saying, “Curiosity kills the cat,” is never truer when it comes to your cat and a Christmas tree. If your cat is showing a lot of interest in the tree, try using deterrents … If you have a Christmas tree, make sure it’s secure to help prevent it from tipping over if your cat should decide to climb or jump on it. To keep her safe and keep your tree intact, here’s how you can cat-proof your evergreen. Dogs In This Viral Obstacle Course Challenge, Joe Biden’s Dogs Have Twitter And Instagram Accounts And That’s Pretty Much All I’m Going To Follow Anymore, Just 35 Hilariously Weird Pictures Of Cats On Glass Tables. If this is going to be your cat’s first experience with a … Maybe you’ll get lucky, and they’ll be totally uninterested. Cords are a potential problem no matter the time of year. Cats could care less that Santa is watching, and they tend to be on their naughtiest behavior when the holiday decorations come out of the attic. Cats dislike aluminum foil – try wrapping the pot and covering any soil with foil. It’s best to keep it in the box. Tighten the tree stand as much as possible, and it’s not a bad idea to add extra weights to the base to keep things secure. Keep your tree safe from your curious cat. Tie Your Tree. The tree in your living room, on the other hand, is far easier to bring down. Make the tree less desirable. Not only is tinsel shiny and eye-catching, it’s also super fun to play with—if you’re a cat, that is. ‘Tis the season for decorating! If you’re a cat parent, you’ll need to protect your tree from your cat, and your cat from your tree. Do what you have to do to have a merry and cat-safe holiday! Live trees attract cats more than artificial trees do because of the … How To Protect Christmas Tree From Your Cat? Once your tree is done, you can let your cat lose and let her or him explore and play on the tree just like the felines on the video. … Another idea is to choose a tree on the skinnier side. Never use tinsel on a tree if you have cats! The rationale behind this is to … While you’re planning your ornament placement, you also want to make sure all decorations have a sturdy and trustworthy hook. Those big, full-bodied trees offer a lot of places where your cat can grab on and really go exploring in the depth of the branches. If you’re able to supervise, keep a squirt bottle nearby and spray your cat if he tries to scratch … We all know cats are assholes and dogs are clumsy sometimes. If this is going to be your cat’s first experience with a Christmas tree, there’s no way to predict how they’ll react. If your cat decides to play or chew on the cords, they could electrocute themselves or start a fire. Go Artificial if Possible. Twinkly lights, snowflakes, reindeer figurines, and don’t forget the Christmas tree. If your cat is young and active, it’s basically guaranteed that they’re going to at least try and climb your Christmas tree. 1. Use a tree skirt to hide all ugly but practical safety fixes at the base of the tree (including electrical items). Glue those babies to the tree if you need to. Cat defeats owner's attempt to cat-proof a Christmas tree Mark Frauenfelder 10:21 am Mon Dec 28, 2020 "We decided to hang the Christmas tree from the roof so the cats … 3. Besides tinfoil, you can also use scent deterrents. You can try placing orange peels at the base of the tree, using an orange or citrus-scented spray-on branch, or putting apple cider vinegar-coated pine cones near the tree. There are some seriously creative cat people out there who go to extreme measures to cat-proof their Christmas trees. Cats’ climbing instinct works well for them in the wild, where trees are firmly planted in the ground. The lower branches are right in your cat’s face, and ornaments will stand out if they’re dangling toward the floor with no greenery around them. The problem is, it’s also dangerous. 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