Cat-proofing your Christmas tree doesn’t have to be boring or take away from your home’s Christmas cheer.
Yes, you must take precautions to keep your cat safe, and we have lots of great tips for cat safety around the holidays. But with a little creativity, you can actually make cat-proofing for Christmas a fun activity.
Here are a few creative ideas to protect your Christmas tree from curious felines.
1. Install Cat ‘Alarms’
Some savvy cat parents install “cat alarms” to either scare their cats away from the tree or to alert them when a kitty comes near. One popular method involves hanging a bunch of brass bells at the bottom of your tree.
The bells look very festive, but they’ll also make a loud noise when your cat gets near. This can alert you and possibly scare off more sensitive cats.
Another idea is to hang soda cans with gravel in them on the bottom of your tree. Some cats dislike this noise enough to stay away. Make the cans festive by decorating them with wrapping paper and bows.
Another option is to set up a train that circles your tree. The noise and movement can scare some cats away, but use caution. Some kitties will see the train as prey to pounce!
2. Use Cat Repellents
Some cat parents swear by cat repellents. They can take different forms, from sprays to paper and foil.
Favorite sprays that sometimes keep cats away include apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, or a citrus-scented juice. If that’s not enough, adding a layer of aluminum foil around the tree or double-sided sticky tape can help deter your cat.
If you want something a little more high-tech, you can opt for a device that uses motion sensors to repel curious felines. The Amtek Scraminal, for example, uses heat and motion detection and emits a loud noise to startle cats away from the tree.
You can get it on Amazon here
3. Install A Product That ‘Defends’ The Tree
Nowadays, you can buy products that actually defend your tree from cats, even if you’re not around.
One of these is the Christmas Tree Defender.
This product works best if your cat can’t jump on the tree from a higher point, such as by launching from nearby furniture.
You can get it on Amazon here!
Another safe option is the Homarden Prickle Strip. It’s a mat that has pointy ends on it that are uncomfortable for most cats to walk on. They’re not sharp or harmful, just uncomfortable.
In fact, some users claim their cats use spike strips as back scratchers and aren’t deterred at all, and like the Defender, they really only work if cats can’t jump over them. However, it’s worth a try if other methods aren’t working.
You can get it on Amazon here!
4. Make A Cat-Free Christmas Room
Instead of worrying about your cats getting hurt, consider keeping your tree in a special Christmas room.
Some cat parents will decorate their basement or another room to be extra festive and keep the tree in there. They don’t let their cats in the Christmas room, so they can decorate it as much as they want without worry.
If you can, consider closing off the Christmas tree room while you’re sleeping or not at home. This can keep your mind at ease and keep your cat extra safe.
Of course, some people do away with all the cat proofing and go the opposite route, instead, by making cat-friendly Christmas trees.
The video below has a great idea for a cat-friendly Christmas tree your cats will love!
Whatever method you try, keep a close eye on your kitty. Some cats are very smart and can figure out ways around even the most elaborate tree defense systems.
Do you have any special tips for cat proofing your Christmas tree? How do you keep your kitties safe around the holidays? Please share your advice in the comments below!
