"A Christmas tree is like a cardboard box on steroids to a cat," said Dr. Lee. "It can provide height, a place to hide, and is full of toys — all things that cats love." In a sense, it is the perfect playground for your feline friend.
A Christmas tree often has irresistible outdoor smells and bark for a cat to sharpen its claws, so there is plenty to attract them. Dangling, reflective ornaments and shiny tinsel, plus loads of accessible branches, also look like a ton of fun to a cat! Dr. Lorna Whittemore, a veterinarian at excitedcats.com, agrees.
Cats are naturally attracted to Christmas trees for a number of reasons: Decorations look like cat toys. Christmas trees are usually filled with shiny tinsel, baubles and sparkly lights for them to bat, which look just like their toys. Cats are curious creatures.
3) The result of them smelling good and attracting your cat to them and also you having to constantly clean up around them is that they can be much more work for you. Artificial trees however have no enticing smells and they don't generally shed much (maybe a few bits during set up but that's it).
Not only that, but cats are also intrigued by the novelty of a Christmas tree, added Dr. Michelle Burch, DVM, veterinary writer and adviser for Catological. Climbing them will offer a new view of the house, and due to the unfamiliar scent, your cat will probably feel the need to investigate and apply their scent.
Spray repellents can keep your cats away from the tree, and it is easy to make your own. Some cats dislike citrus scents, so try a spray of water mixed with citrus or citronella oil. You can also place fresh lemon and orange peels around the base of the tree or within the branches.
Deterrents. A great tip to keep your cat away from your festive centrepiece is to use orange peel or citrus spray in or around the tree to act as a Christmas tree deterrent. Cats hate the smell of oranges or other citrus fruits so this should stop them from causing any mischief.
They like to scratch them, climb them, bat at things attached to them, and even chew on them. We've gathered some great tips for keeping cats off Christmas trees along with reasons why you should.
Real fir trees are mildly toxic and may produce oils which can cause irritation to a cats mouth or stomach. Fallen needles could puncture your cats stomach if swallowed, causing potentially life threatening injuries. If you have your heart set on a real tree, choose one with low drop or no drop varieties.
If it's a plastic tree, shake a small amount of Citronella oil into a bottle of water and mist it on to the tree. The smell will be unpleasant to the cat but fresh and citrus-like to you. Spray some pine cones with Citronella and pile them around the base of the tree.
Cats can be injured if they climb a Christmas tree and it falls on them. Chewing on tree needles isn't healthy. They can poke your cat's mouth and may cause GI upset or toxicity if swallowed.
It's just like a giant play-thing for your cat to pounce on. Christmas trees, both artificial and real have a natural and distinctive scent so they are generally quite enticing for your cat.
"And some cats don't like the smell of pine," Kratt says. "There's no perfect solution. So I recommend trying to train your cat to stay away from it altogether. Training goes a long way with cats and Christmas trees."
Real Christmas Trees Can Make Cats Sick. Now, most cats aren't going to find the taste of pine or fir to be appealing, but it likely takes a nibble for them to figure that out. (And does your cat go along with what most cats do anyway?)
Everyone is mesmerized by Christmas lights—that's the whole point! Unfortunately, your cat may be compelled to act on her attraction by chewing on the wires. And whether the lights are shining bright or turned off, your cat can burn her mouth or even get electrocuted if she's chewing.
Before setting up your Christmas card photo of your pet bedecked in antlers or an elf hat in front of the tree, consider these potential hazards: Live Trees: Fir, spruce, and pine trees make excellent Christmas trees and are generally non-toxic to pets.
Pine trees are toxic for cats, notes Petcha, because they may cause liver damage and can be fatal. If you wish to have a live tree, choose a fir or spruce. Additionally, you should regularly dispose of any stray needles–no matter the tree type–because they're sharp and may be dangerous to your kitty's internal organs.
There have been some reports of adverse reactions in cats who have ingested the fake snow found on some artificial trees. If cats are seen licking or chewing the tree, clients should watch for any unusual behaviour (vomiting or seizuring, for example) and seek veterinary advice ASAP.
If the tree is less than 20 feet tall, try rescuing the cat with a tall ladder. More advanced rescuers can try attaching rope to a weighted object (like a tennis ball tied up with rocks) and carefully tossing it over a branch next to the cat. Then, use the rope to pull up the cat carrier.
Try placing citrus peels like oranges and lemons under your tree skirt. In general most cats detest citrus and will keep their distance. As an added bonus, it will make your living quarters smell lovely and won't harm anyone (albeit 2 or 4 legs).
Harness the power of hate and keep your cat away from the tree with scents, smells and objects she can't stand. Just like dogs, cats detest all things citrus. Leave lemon and orange peels around the base of the tree, or make some dried orange decorations.
Cheese and dairy are not good for cats. They aren't toxic to cats, but eating too much cheese can upset their stomach and lead to diarrhoea or vomiting. Eating cheese over a prolonged period can also lead to obesity. Some cheeses are also very high in salt, which can cause problems in excess just as it does in humans.