The Ultimate Hacks to Cat Proof Your Christmas Tree
It’s a few days to Christmas, and some of you guys have perhaps already started planning the decorations and menus!
But have you ever thought about how to cat-proof your Christmas tree decor?
Well, if you are a feline parent, you might already know how inquisitive these fur-babies are! No matter what you do, their ever-curious nature will always lead them to closely inspect every new item you bring into the house.
And here’s where the difficulties start. Your feline friend might just get too investigative with those shiny decorations on the tall tree and try to jump on it, or even topple it over, thinking it to be a toy!
So, what’s the best way to keep your cat from ruining your hard work? In this blog, we’ve jotted down a handful of the most useful hacks that can help keep your fur-baby protected, and also keep your Christmas tree decorations purr-fectly safe!
How to Cat-Proof Your Christmas Tree: Best Hacks and Tips
We understand that having a pet at home makes your Christmas tree decoration job 3x harder! But with these simple hacks, you can have the best of both worlds- keeping your cat safe, and your Christmas tree decorations unscathed-
- Bring home an artificial tree
First and foremost, avoid those real fir trees altogether. That’s because the real ones produce certain oils that might irritate your cat’s mouth or stomach. Besides that, those sharp, needle-like leaves might even puncture your baby’s stomach or intestines upon swallowing.
Instead, bring home an artificial tree. These variants closely resemble a real tree, and most importantly, you can use them for years to come. Apart from that, the fake ones are much lighter in weight, and hence, can be easier to manage when toppled over.
Also, you might want to opt for a smaller tree, as it is always a safe option. Why? Because even if your cat decides to jump and trip over it, it poses less risk for injuries.
- Wait for a few days before starting with the decorations
As mentioned above, cats by nature are super-inquisitive animals. Therefore, any new or shiny thing that you bring over is likely to attract its attention!
So, if you’re one of those impatient ones who get straight to the decorations right after bringing the tree home, stop, and wait for a few days. Creating this window is crucial as it gives your feline friend some time to get used to the newly arrived object. Once you see that your cat has gotten bored, you can easily start with the decorations without any interruption. This is one of the best tips for cat-proofing a Christmas tree!
We know that it’s probably the only time when you like to decorate our home with those celeb-inspired Christmas decor ideas! But, make sure to keep the tree off your list if you want to enjoy a pet-safe Christmas!
- Place the tree away from tabletops, counters, or furniture
Being a cat-parent, you must already be aware that your baby loves to jump or climb onto trees! Well, that wild instinct can also be the reason behind a ruined Christmas tree!
So, to make sure that such mishaps don’t happen, place the tree away from tabletops, counters, or furniture. These are the places where your cat likes to perch, and can easily become launching zones for them to pounce on the tree!
Therefore, the best places to keep your tree might just be those corners or empty-floor spaces! Also, once you’re done with the placement, fix the top of the tree with some wires and secure it to a nearby wall. This will help keep your tree upright and lower the chances of toppling over, even if your feline friend decides to jump on it!
That being said, if you’ve friends and family coming over for Christmas dinner, here are the top 10 Christmas table decoration ideas that can help you set up the table perfectly!
- Avoid placing tinsels, ribbons, or fake snow
Now comes one of the most important parts- the decorations!
First of all, if you’ve pets at your place, you must be very careful while choosing the ornaments for your Christmas tree! Why so? Well, when it comes to kittens and puppies, these decorations serve as the ultimate chew toys. Needless to say, glass ornaments are fragile and might break, thereby inflicting serious injuries. On top of that, metal ornaments consist of sharp hooks and therefore, can prove to be deadly for your fur-babies.
Also, tinsels and ribbons might be shiny and look great on your tree! But they aren’t safe for your pets. For instance, tinsels are made out of thin metal or plastic strips, which, upon swallowing, can cause intestinal blockages! Besides that, avoid covering your tree with those fake snow sprays! These contain harmful chemicals and might be toxic to your cat.
Instead, opt for cat-safe Christmas tree ornaments. These include colorful plastic balls, paper garlands, tiny soft toys, etc. These items are too big for them to swallow and don’t easily break, thereby keeping your furry friend safe from any mishaps!
- Hanging chocolate treats is a big no-no!
Chocolates might be your favorite treat! But remember that those blissful dark chocolate bars are no less than poison for your feline friend! It contains a naturally occurring alkaloid called theobromine, which most animals can’t digest as humans do. Animals metabolize it very slowly, leading to a dangerous buildup, which results in seizure or organ damage upon ingestion. So, avoid hanging chocolate treats on the tree. These pet-safe Christmas decor hacks will surely help you protect your tree, as well as ensure complete safety for your lovely pet!
- Stay extra careful while placing the lights and cables
We know that LED light strips make your Christmas tree look amazing. However, you might want to stay extra careful with those lights and cables if you have a cat at home!
Why so? Most cats are tempted by shiny, sparkly things, and more often than not, like to chew on those wires, thereby increasing the risks of electrocution significantly.
So, if you really want to install decorative lights, place them in the center of the tree. Also, make sure to cover the end of the wire with a cord protector. This pet-friendly Christmas tree decor minimizes the risks of short circuits and ensures that your fur-baby remains safe.
Wrapping Up
Apart from the afore-mentioned pet-proof Christmas tree decoration tips, you just need to keep a few things in mind to ensure maximum safety for your cat. For instance, steer clear of those real candles, small ornaments, and keep away from plants or food items that are toxic for your cat.
And if you want your cat to stay away completely, you can always opt for a cat-proof tree guard for a fully reliable defense strategy.
F.A.Qs
- What decorations are dangerous for cats?
Things like tinsels, ribbons, decorative glass, and metal ornaments, chocolates, artificial snow, etc., can be harmful for cats.
- What’s the best way to place lights and ornaments in a Christmas tree?
If you don’t have pets at home, fix the lights deep into the branches. This creates a mystical glow that elevates the overall aesthetics of the tree. And as for ornaments, place the blogger ones inside the tree, and keep the smaller ones close to the tips for a perfectly balanced look.
And if you have a pet at home, place the lights at the center of the tree. Make sure that the wires aren’t hanging around. Also, avoid buying glass or metal ornaments to keep your pets safe from any hazard.
- Most effective way to keep the cats out of the Christmas tree?
Some of the most genius ways you can keep your cat away from the Christmas tree are-
- Wrap a foil around the bark.
- Spray with some citrus scent. Cats hate that fragrance and will keep their distance!
- If you’ve got yourself a real tree, make sure to cover the water bowl with a tree skirt.
- Buy your feline friend a cat tree and decorate it with cat treats!
As a lifelong DIY enthusiast, Alex Barton is never afraid to go the extra mile to save a few bucks! From seamless interior decor hacks to effective DIY home renovation tips, he shares a myriad of his experiences for you to unleash your creativity.
