If you love your Christmas trees but your felines love it more, it can end with mess of pine needles, scattered ornaments, and even a trip to the vet. Luckily, there are a number of solutions to save Christmas, including special cat scratchers shaped like Christmas trees to keep your feline busy.
Let’s look at Christmas tree scratchers and other solutions for cats who won’t leave your decorations alone.
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Content:
- Cats and Traditional Christmas Trees
- Christmas Trees Designed for Cats
- Choosing the Best Christmas Tree for Cats
- Final Thoughts
Cats and Traditional Christmas Trees
Cat parents often say you can’t have a Christmas tree and a cat. After all, felines are curious and love shiny, dangling objects, making Christmas trees a tempting target. The ornaments, lights, and even the tree itself can turn into hazards.
Real trees can cause stomach issues or worse if your cat chews the needles or drinks the water at the base. Fragile decorations, tinsel, and lights add more risks, from choking to electrical shocks.
Not to mention, they absolutely destroy trees! So, how do we save Christmas when we have a cat?
Remember, one way to keep an eye on your cat when you’re not around is with a Petcube Cam. It lets you see what your cat is up to and gives peace of mind during the holiday chaos.
Christmas Trees Designed for Cats
One great solution is to get your cat their own Christmas tree-shaped scratching post. These scratchers are shaped like trees, with layers for climbing and sturdy surfaces for biting and clawing. You can sprinkle a little catnip on it to make it irresistible.
Put the Christmas tree scratcher near your own tree to redirect their attention. To make your tree less tempting, you can use smells cats dislike, like lavender tea bags, around the base.
If your cat still can’t resist the allure of your Christmas tree, it might be time to rethink your setup.
Some options include wall-mounted or hanging trees. These creative designs keep decorations off the ground and out of reach. Wall-mounted trees look just as festive but won’t invite climbing.
Hanging trees dangle from the ceiling, creating a floating centerpiece that your cat can’t reach (hopefully).
Tabletop trees are also a good choice if you can place them somewhere your cat can’t get to. If you prefer a more modern look, Christmas tree shelves let you display decorations high up while keeping the floor clear of temptation.
Another option is a wooden slat tree. These sturdy alternatives are harder for cats to climb and can double as scratching posts.
One Reddit user shared their strategy: “I have a fake tree with wooden ornaments wired to the branches. The base is weighted and covered with a tree skirt. It’s simple but cat-proof.”
Choosing the Best Christmas Tree for Cats
Of course, if you really want the best Christmas tree for cats, a cat scratcher Christmas tree is what they need. The Christmas tower is another scratching post option to keep them safely occupied climbing and clawing.
In fact, there are a number of catnip-infused festive scratchers or other holiday-themed scratchers to choose from.
But what about keeping your human tree safe?
Firstly, artificial trees are a better choice than real ones because they don’t shed sharp needles or release oils that can upset your cat’s stomach. To keep the tree from tipping over, anchor it with fishing line or weights. Shatterproof ornaments are a must, and it’s best to avoid tinsel altogether since it can be dangerous if swallowed.
Lights and cords are another hazard. Cats love to chew on them, which can lead to electric shocks.
So, make sure to wrap cords in protectors and unplug lights when you’re not around. A pet camera, like the Pet Cam, can help you check in on your cat and make sure they’re staying out of trouble.
Finally, don’t leave presents under the tree unless you’re supervising. Wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows are irresistible to curious cats, but they can also pose a choking risk.
Dr. Kathleen Edmonds (profile) explains, “Decorating the Christmas tree is an enjoyable event that many families look forward to. Not many people realize that these decorations can be lethal for their pets. Swallowing small toys or pieces of string can result in costly emergency surgery.”
Final Thoughts
It takes a little creativity and planning, but you don’t have to choose between a Christmas tree and your cat. A tree-shaped scratching post, cat-safe decorations, and clever tree alternatives can help you enjoy the holidays without worry.