Alena Haurylik / Shutterstock.com
The vacations are a magical time of 12 months. From gatherings with family and friends to seasonal decorations, there’s so much to like concerning the holidays. Your cat may even benefit from the festivities as a lot as you do!
But for sure cats, the vacations is usually a traumatic break from routine, full of guests and unfamiliar additions to the house setting. Take the Christmas tree, for instance. Meant to be an expression of vacation cheer, coated with lights and adornments, the Christmas tree’s sudden look may be complicated, tempting, and even dangerous for our feline mates.
Let’s discover why some cats can’t include their pleasure across the Christmas tree and easy methods to maintain it (and your cat) protected this vacation season.
Why Cats Love Christmas Bushes
Christmas tree ornaments resemble dangling cat toys and provide an ideal batting alternative for curious cats. Mariya Zimarina / Shutterstock.com
Cats are clever animals and curiosity is of their nature. The sudden arrival of one thing as vital in measurement because the Christmas tree is certain to set off temptation. Nevertheless it’s extra than simply the novelty that pulls cats to the Christmas tree.
Listed here are a number of the causes cats love Christmas bushes.
Cats Are Desirous to Discover New Issues
As predators, cats are naturally territorial they usually’re keen to research something new that enters their territory. Not solely is the Christmas tree one thing new and unfamiliar but it surely’s full of thrilling outside scents and engaging textures. Even for those who go the synthetic route, the tree will carry scents your cat will need to discover.
It Offers Climbing Alternatives
Cats have robust legs and sharp claws for a purpose—they’re constructed for climbing. To a cat, the Christmas tree appears like the right place to survey their territory from on excessive. The temptation could also be significantly onerous to withstand in case your cat doesn’t have applicable options like a cat tree or cat condominium.
Cats See Tree Decorations as Toys
Christmas ornaments made out of glass or ceramics are excellent batting alternatives for a mischievous cat who lacks indoor play alternatives. Tinsel, garland, and different ribbon-like adornments may be onerous for a curious cat to withstand.
Sparkly trinkets and hanging decorations appear like enjoyable new toys to your cat however they arrive with a threat of breakage and unintentional ingestion which may trigger your cat hurt.
It Affords an Attractive Scratching Floor
Scratching is a pure habits for cats and a essential one. It helps them shed the brittle outer layers of their claws, exposing the wholesome new development beneath. With its tough bark, the Christmas tree might provide a satisfying scratching floor in your cat.
There’s additionally the peak of the tree to think about. Small scratch pads don’t permit your cat to completely stretch their limbs as they scratch, however a tall Christmas tree may.
Cats Might See It As a Place to Cover
Composed of layered boughs and needles, the Christmas tree presents a shy cat a pleasant place to cover. Some cats might benefit from the safety of curling up on the base whereas others may climb up into the branches, looking for the next hiding spot. As soon as the tree is adorned, after all, the act of climbing out and in of the tree places your cat in danger for harm.
5 Methods to Maintain Your Cat Out of the Christmas Tree
Considerate placement and cautious ornament can maintain each your cat and your Christmas tree free from hurt. Alena Haurylik / Shutterstock.com
With its dangling globes of fragile glass and tangled strings of twinkling lights, the Christmas tree presents sure dangers to your cat. Taking steps to maintain your cat out of the Christmas tree is crucial for their very own safety—to not point out safeguarding the centerpiece of your vacation decor scheme.
Cat-proofing your Christmas tree helps make sure you get to spend the vacation at house, not within the vet’s workplace. Listed here are 5 methods to do it.
Select the Proper Location
The proper spot shows your Christmas tree in all its festive glory, however the location that appears greatest may not be the most secure choice in your cat. Place your Christmas tree away from cabinets or cat furnishings which may give your cat quick access to the upper boughs.
And don’t overlook to safe it correctly. Select a sturdy base and contemplate anchoring your tree to the wall or ceiling, simply in case your cat decides to go for a climb.
Choose Cat-Pleasant Adornments
Select unbreakable ornaments and place them excessive sufficient on the tree that your cat can’t bat them off from the bottom. Shiny, reflective ornaments will seemingly pose the best temptation. Smooth cloth ornaments could also be greatest, simply in case they fall or grasp low sufficient in your cat to achieve.
If you happen to enhance the tree with tinsel or garland, restrict it to the higher half of the tree. Not solely do these decorations pose a choking hazard if swallowed, but when your cat catches maintain of 1 finish they may topple the tree over on themselves.
Keep away from Uncovered Wiring
Unaware of the danger of electrocution, some cats can’t resist chewing on uncovered wires. Select your Christmas tree lighting rigorously, avoiding skinny wires that is perhaps straightforward to chew by. When putting the lights, maintain them towards the middle of the tree and use a wire protector to cowl the top of the string that plugs into the wall.
Maintain the Base Coated
Be certain your Christmas tree base is sturdy and safe. If you happen to’re utilizing a stay Christmas tree, cowl the bottom to stop your cat from ingesting the water. A tree skirt might do the trick however decided cats might require extra deterrents. Attempt wrapping the trunk in foil and place presents or heavy decorations on high of the skirt to weigh it down.
It’s significantly necessary to cowl the bottom for those who’re utilizing a potted Christmas tree. The soil may include fertilizers which may make your cat sick, to not point out the temptation of the soil-filled pot as a litter field different.
Provide Attractive Alternate options
Your cat could also be much less within the Christmas tree if there are extra engaging options accessible. Arrange a devoted play space away from the tree and encourage your cat to make use of it with toys and treats.
Even higher, shock your cat with an early Christmas current of a brand new cat condominium, timing its arrival to coincide with the Christmas tree. Simply be sure you place cat furnishings far sufficient away from the Christmas tree that your cat can’t use it to leap onto the tree.
By adorning with care and taking sure precautions, you may maintain each your cat and your Christmas tree protected this vacation season. Even for those who do, nonetheless, be vigilant and examine the tree day by day to verify there’s nothing to tempt a curious cat right into a probably harmful scenario.
Continuously Requested Questions
What can I spray on my Christmas tree to maintain cats away?
To repel your cat make your individual spray by mixing water plus lemongrass or spray citronella oil. You can too grasp juicy orange or lemon peels as decorations nonetheless you’ll want to exchange them each few days to make sure their freshness.
How do I cease my cat from attacking my Christmas tree?
In case your cat insists on attacking your Christmas tree, both fence off the tree or maintain your cat out of the room through which the Christmas tree is in whilst you’re out of the home.
What scent retains cats away from Christmas tree?
Cats can’t stand many smells, significantly citrus like orange, lemon and lime. In addition they don’t like vinegar; you may strive spraying pine cones with apple cider vinegar and putting them beneath the tree to maintain your cat away.
How do I maintain the pets away from my Christmas tree?
Attempt protecting the trunk of your stay tree with aluminium foil, most cats dislike the texture of the foil and place few orange/lemon peels spherical the bottom. Train pens, child gates or a barrier might deter a canine, nonetheless a mischievous cat may have its personal cat tree and extra playtime to burn off surplus power.
