How to Keep Cats Out of Christmas Trees
Feline Frolicking in Holiday Decorations is Annoying and Dangerous
When cats either claw or climb up Christmas trees, they often make a mess by knocking ornaments off of branches, even smashing them. This behavior can even be dangerous, as cats can knock Christmas trees over, causing injury either to themselves, or anyone else in the room. Luckily, there are a variety of ways to curb this annoying and dangerous behavior in cats.
Spray Repellents
There are a variety of aerosol sprays that coat an area with a scent that a cat hopefully finds offensive. These sprays only seem to work on some cats though, so don't be surprised if they do not even faze your feline. Aerosol repellents also seem to work better on artificial trees than real ones, as the scent of a real tree often overpowers that of the cat repellent.
Motion Detectors
A motion detector will spray either a burst of compressed air, or citronella, at an approaching cat. The experience usually leaves the feline frazzled enough to stay away from the area. Once the cat associates the Christmas tree with a spray to the face, the ornaments usually stay safe. The Ssscat spray kit by Multivet is a good choice, widely available, and usually sells for under $50.
Mats
If a cat is getting under a tree and clawing the trunk, there are mats that can be purchased that are covered with pointy, plastic nubs. These nubs will hurt the feet of the cat when they try to walk up to the tree. If you can not find a product like this in a pet store, see if you can find a protective carpet mat (the see-through plastic kind) and flip them upside down under the tree.
Multivet, the company that manufactures the Ssscat, also makes a Ssscat Mat. This battery operated mat gives off a mild electrical shock when a cat, or even a dog, walks on it. This item costs more than the motion detector, but works well.
Two-sided Tape
Cats that either claw or climb up a tree can be deterred from doing so by using two-sided tape on the trunk of the tree. Sticky Paws is one company that makes this tape. As a cat goes to scratch the tree, their paws will get stuck to the tape on the trunk, deterring them from going any further.
When decorating a Christmas tree with a cat in the house, keep ornaments off of the lower branches, as brightly colored, easy to reach bobbles will just entice a cat to get into trouble. TInsel should be kept away from cats as well, because, for some reason, they just love to eat it. A cat cat not digest tinsel, and may need help passing it through, if not a trip to the vet.
Keeping Your Cat Out of the Christmas Tree
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