Cats and Christmas Trees - The Purr-fect Match?

Introduction

There’s something so special about the sight of a Christmas tree. The twinkling lights, the priceless baubles that remind you of Christmases past, the star on top… Yes, it’s hard to look at a beautifully decorated Norwegian Spruce and not feel all happy and warm on the inside!

How Cats See a Christmas Tree

Our feline friends see something quite different when they gaze upon a Christmas tree. They see a new scratching post, an exciting place to hide, something new to climb, shiny baubles to bat, a tree adorned with stringed lights to pull at… At one point or another, I’m sure that most of us will have found our kitties ‘playing’ with the tree. Mine have even brought the whole thing over, on more than one occasion!

It’s hard – impossible, even – to keep cats away from the Christmas tree and other decorations. There are, however, plenty of things that we can do to make sure that our houses are decorated in ways that are safe and kind to our animals. Here are our top tips:

Get a Heavy Base

The more secure you can make your tree, the better! So, invest in a good base – a nice heavy one – and make sure your tree is well secured.

Secure Decorations as Well

Decorations also need to be secured as tightly as possible – we don’t want a swipe of a paw resulting in any baubles flying off that tree that you’ve spent hours decorating!

No Glass!

And, talking of baubles, it’s a good idea to avoid anything fragile like glass. Even a well-tied bauble can become victim to a determined kitty, and the last thing we want is for them to hurt themselves!

Fake Snow

Fake snow is found on many Christmas trees and ornaments. There is misleading information on the effects of fake snow in pets, particularly cats, available on social media. It is usually made from polyacrylate or polyethylene. The Veterinary Poisons Information Service says that most fake snow is of low toxicity, but could upset your cat's tummy if eaten.  If your cat has been nibbling on fake snow and is salivating more than usual, vomiting or has diarrhoea, take them to the vet immediately.

Use Foil Around The Base

Although it’s not something I have done personally, some of our other Cat Butlers swear by wrapping the base of their tree in tin foil. As well as helping to extend its life, the foil is a good deterrent for cats who are prone to sneaking under the tree. Worth bearing in mind if your kitty won’t leave your tree alone!

A Little Spritz of Citrus

Likewise, most cats don’t like the smell of citrus, so a few spritzes of lemon or orange scent can help them to stay away from your tree if needed. Just don’t go overboard – you don’t want to scare them out of the room completely!

Make Sure They Can’t Get To The Water

If you have a real tree, make sure your cats aren’t able to access any of the water at its base – it can make them feel rather poorly if they do!

Pick Up Those Needles

Real trees are beautiful – no doubt about that! But the mess they leave as their needles begin to fall? Not so beautiful! And, they can cause real discomfort if they get caught in our cats’ paws or their mouths. So, if you're investing in a real tree, make sure you clean up any fallen needles regularly.

Avoid The Poinsettias

These popular Christmas plants produce a white sap which is mildly toxic to cats. If your kitty is known for chewing on plants, then you should probably avoid these. The same goes for mistletoe and Christmas roses.

Create a Decoration-Free Space

The sign of Christmas lights can be a bit overwhelming for some cats so we highly recommend creating a safe, quiet, and decoration-free space where they can hide away. This will also come in useful if you have guests staying over the festive period

For more tips for keeping your kitty safe and happy this Christmas, check out our handy tips in our previous articles:

>> Christmas Hazards for Cats

>> Reducing Stress in Cats this Christmas

Sandra James

Owner & Founder

The Cat Butler was set up by Sandra James in recognition of the fact that a stay in a cattery can be unsettling for many cats and also their owners.