This is the first year we have a place big enough to put a christmas tree up. The only thing is my cats have never seen a x-mas tree and I'm afraid of what they will do to it. They are very curious cats and must investigate everything! Any advice to keep them from destroying one?
Valentinegirl
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Re: Cats and X-mas trees
I am worried about this w/ the puppy. We have a huge pen we used to keep him in that we are going to put around the tree.
swags1016
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Re: Cats and X-mas trees
The only problem I have with Xena is she likes to lay under the tree and if there is a present under there with a bow or ribbon she will destroy that. What I would do if the cats have never seen a tree, is put a tree up and leave it for a couple of days, DO NOT DECORATE it!!!! Make sure that you are not home for a good period of time (work or whatever) and see how they react. Good luck.
frosty
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Re: Cats and X-mas trees
No real advice. But they will be especially curious if it is a real (not artificial tree).
Since we get a real tree every year, and our cats love to sniff it, we only put inexpensive ornaments on the bottom half of the tree (the nice ones go toward the top). That way, if they knock any ornaments off and they break, it is not a big deal.
I would say put a gate around it, but if your cats are like mine, it won't make much of a difference.
StepherG
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Re: Cats and X-mas trees
Do not put Tinsle on the tree...at least not the kind that comes in packages and they look like thick strands...
Cats will eat this and can die!! It gets all tangled up in their digestive system and can make them choke. My vet warned me...
goingtobemrs
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Re: Cats and X-mas trees
We have two cats who were just babies last year and they had a party with the tree while we were at work. Every day I'd come home and see balls all over the apartment. We tried to put them up high, but they got to them. We bought a tree with the lights already on it so they won't see the wires hanging. We would to spray them with a water bottle when they went near it. FH gave Luke a little kick accross the room one time and it didn't stop him. He was standing there saying NOOOOOOO and he just lunged into the middle of the tree. I thought it was hysterical, FH didn't. I used to pick up the ornaments as I saw them down so FH wouldn't see what they did.
My friend had a really fat cat and a few years ago she jumped up into the middle of the tree and the whole tree was swaying back and forth. Luckily for them she decided to climb down.
goingtobemrs
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Re: Cats and X-mas trees
Posted by StepherG
Do not put Tinsle on the tree...at least not the kind that comes in packages and they look like thick strands...
Cats will eat this and can die!! It gets all tangled up in their digestive system and can make them choke. My vet warned me...
That can happen. My friend's cat ate it when she was little and her mother saw it (gross) handing out of her butt and had to chase her around and pull it out.
palebride
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Re: Cats and X-mas trees
My old mean cat never touched the tree at my parent's house.....and he was there for 14 years. The worst he would do was play with the ornaments on the lower branches....
But I am a little worried about my new kitten - she loves to play and investigate everything....so it might be a bit of trouble.....
sophie78
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Re: Cats and X-mas trees
My two cats are a-holes, so we can't get one. They get into everything. When I come home, my drawers are open and all of my clothes are on the floor.
Valentinegirl
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Re: Cats and X-mas trees
Posted by tp329
Posted by StepherG
Do not put Tinsle on the tree...at least not the kind that comes in packages and they look like thick strands...
Cats will eat this and can die!! It gets all tangled up in their digestive system and can make them choke. My vet warned me...
That can happen. My friend's cat ate it when she was little and her mother saw it (gross) handing out of her butt and had to chase her around and pull it out.
This happened to Chewie but it was a strand of hair.
Summerbride04
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Re: Cats and X-mas trees
Thanks for the advice guys! I think I'm going to buy a small artifical tree and leave it undecorated first to see what happens.
xjulietx
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Re: Cats and X-mas trees
My parents had to put a nail or screw into the wall and then tied the top of the tree to the nail with fishing line so that the cat wouldn't knock the tree over. It takes time for them to get used to it.
DH and I have two kittens now and we are worrying about what will happen too.
MOBLaurel
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Re: Cats and X-mas trees
Posted by xjulietx
My parents had to put a nail or screw into the wall and then tied the top of the tree to the nail with fishing line so that the cat wouldn't knock the tree over. It takes time for them to get used to it.
We have done that too, and put unbreakable ornaments on the tree. Then we spray the tree skirt with repel, but all that does is keep them from climbing from the bottom. My guys have been known to take flying leaps from the furniture into the tree! Oh well it could be the kids too!
soon2bMrs
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Re: Cats and X-mas trees
We always tied the tree to the wall to prevent it being knocked over. The cats will love the tree and its ornanments, be prepared to find your ornaments on the floor. If the cats are older/declawed they will probably just sleep under it after they have done their investigating.
