How to keep the cat from the Christmas tree (eating, male, weight)

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by pulver1101

my cat doesn't neccessarily like to climb the tree but the ornaments never stay on. .

That was my experience, too. I put the smaller, unbreakable ornaments towards the bottom of the tree.
Years ago we moved. When my husband and I began picking up the couch, we found all sorts of tiny little Christmas ornaments underneath.
Pounce is gone now, but I still smile when I hang those ornaments.

The Cats I have now, tend to sleep under it, I find them nestled in like they think they are Christmas presents.

So cute! I can perfectly picture this in my mind.
Cats can be really stubborn, and I guess some of them can't resist the tree. I guess all you can do is damage control, and know that it is a temporary situation. I can't imagine giving up having a tree.

[gizmo980]

Is anyone else thinking of the movie "Christmas Vacation?" We don't have a tree (I'm Jewish), but my cats would definitely get into it if we did... maybe sprinkling cayenne pepper around it would help? I do that with houseplants sometimes, since they HATE the smell! You could also try one of those "OFF" products, but they typically work better with dogs than cats.

[MissingAll4Seasons]

We finally gave up on the tree because our terroristas wouldn't leave it alone. We just decorate large garlands that are wall-mounted high enough up that the cats can't get to them. I also use non-breakable ornaments and lights just in case and never tinsel. We find the garlands actually work a bit better than the tree, because we can also hang our stockings and x-mas cards from them -- two birds with one stone.

[kelly3120]

mine all grew out of playing in the tree w/ age.
for the longest time mine would try and eat the plastic christmas tree ...he's a little dumb. =)

I found no sprays will work, but a choo choo distracts them and some pennies in a jar.
Our guy doesn't car about the tree anymore.

[cautiousmom]

I stumbled on the answer to this problem. I got a smaller tree (4ft Noble) this year just because the bigger ones were sooo expensive, and evidently they (3 cats) are leaving it alone because it's too short to climb. They must think it's a bush?? Anyway, they don't bother it, just sit an look at it. I've had it three days so far and not one problem, no broken ornaments nothing. Give it a try if you haven't already bought a tree.

[Sarabera473]

I would like to know if many people have tried the sprays that you buy at the pet store and if it has worked for you. My cat, Chili, not only likes to knock off the ornaments, he climbs as high in the tree as he can and also lays of the branches. I'll come home and if the branches of my fake tree aren't pulled out and on the floor; then they are all bent because he's "big-boned".
As you fake tree owners probably already know, it takes a long time to insert and fluff the branches. I wind up have to straighten the branches with a pair of pliers. I have a four year old and want to be able to keep the tree up, but I'm at the end of my rope.

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Originally Posted by desert sun

What is the best way to keep your cat away from the christmas tree.Last year my cat tore up 2 trees,she would climb in the tree and knock the ornements off,I really want to keep my tree up this year and keep it looking good,what can I do?

Sadly, we just gave up on a floor standing tree and bought an artificial mini tree, fully equipped with mini lights, and have it on the kitchen counter where it crosses out and over into the living area. She hasn't tried to get at it as she knows better than to get on the counter which is close to the sink. She did that just once and my Wife scared the devil out of her. Maybe cats can't be trained, but ours sure knows how far she can...and cannot...go. Did you know that most cats are afraid of fly swatters???

[kelly3120]

Originally Posted by Mikey_NC

Sadly, we just gave up on a floor standing tree and bought an artificial mini tree, fully equipped with mini lights, and have it on the kitchen counter where it crosses out and over into the living area. She hasn't tried to get at it as she knows better than to get on the counter which is close to the sink. She did that just once and my Wife scared the devil out of her. Maybe cats can't be trained, but ours sure knows how far she can...and cannot...go. Did you know that most cats are afraid of fly swatters???

think I'm gonna buy my kitty a fly swatter for c-mas

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Originally Posted by kelly3120

think I'm gonna buy my kitty a fly swatter for c-mas

LOL...we are on our third kitty, the first two of which lasted 17 years each, and all toed the line when they saw the fly swatter come out. Don't know why but why argue with something that works?.

The posts I have been reading in the Cat forum have been witty, positive and informative...guess this means cat owners do have better dispositions, smile more and (so they say) live longer

[BstYet2Be]

Watch out for the light cords, 'though! The first Christmas I had my cat, I had a small artificial tree on the kitchen table with one strand of little white lights on it. He loved that tree, couldn't keep him away from it, loved to bite on the branches. Then one time, he bit into the string of lights itself... and it looked like a scene right out of the cartoons... I mean, his hair stood up on ends and he was "electrified"! LoL!

It's funny now, but scared me to death at the time... I quickly unplugged the tree... and he was okay... thank goodness! He had bit all the way through one of the strings! I never used the lights on that tree again... of course, he seemed to have lost interest in it after that, anyway!