Well, it is that time of the year again…the holidays! For many of us, that means attending to the requisite decorations, most notably the Christmas Tree. Nothing beats the sight of a beautifully-decorated holiday tree, all aglow against the backdrop of a warm fire, hot cocoa and snow dancing beyond our window. What could possibly go wrong? Stage left: The cat is on alert and ready to pounce. The Christmas tree is under attack by the feline warrior of the house. Nothing is safe – no ornament, no branch, no present, and no candy cane. You must secure the premises, but how? It seems a beautiful Christmas tree is no match for a stealthy cat with a mission on his mind.
Cats love to jump on trees, chew on objects, knock things over, and steal decorations. After all, you did know your tree is really your cat’s tree, right? However, your cat’s attempt to claim what he thinks is rightfully his could be downright dangerous to his well-being. So, in that line of thinking, there are a few things you can do to minimize your cat’s risk of hurting or injuring himself while simultaneously giving you the Christmas tree of your dreams.
First of all, opt for a fake tree. Yes, real trees are great, but those pine needles are not safe for cats to chew on, and, if ingested, can present a serious health risk. Plus, there is the added risk of a fire hazard if the tree gets too dry and the lights ignite a spark. Also, consider a smaller tree. Yes, bigger sometimes seems better, but if you have a smaller tree, there is less chance of your cat getting hurt if he knocks it over. And as an added tip, set up the tree first and let your cat investigate it for a while before adding the decorations. He may even get bored with it and lose interest. After a couple of days, then you can add the ornaments.
If you want to steer your cat away from the tree, go for an assault on his senses. As most cats detest the smell of foil and citrus scents, wrap your tree trunk in file and place a few lemon or orange peels around the base. Pine cones are equally effective.
When adorning your tree with ornaments, place the bulk of them on the top half of the tree, where it is harder for your cat to reach them. Also, place decorations toward the center of the tree, along with the lights so your cat is not tempted to chew on the wires. Be sure to unplug the lights when you are unable to supervise your cat, too. If your cat does try to chew on the wires, just eliminate the lights all together. It is better to take them off of your tree than to risk having your cat burned or electrocuted. Avoid tinsel when decorating your tree, as well. Sure, it’s flashy, but it is a serious hazard to cats. Your cat can choke on the tinsel and/or get it stuck in his intestines if it is swallowed. And stay away from the ornaments that have metal hooks. Go for the tie ornaments instead. Those metal hooks can harm your cat.
Other holiday hazards for your cat include real candles, small ornaments, and fake snow. Your holiday goodies and plants can also pose a threat to your cat, so either keep these out of your cat’s reach or just completely out of your home: chocolate, mistletoe, lilies, cyclamen, poinsettias, and amaryllises, among others.
Remember! Just because you have a cat doesn’t meant you have to sacrifice everything you love about the holidays. Just be smart about it.
Source: peta.org
Written by Ann Butenas
An internationally-recognized author and writer, Ann began her professional writing career at age 12 and began speaking while in college. She has been published thousands of times over the past three decades in all media forms, was former editor and publisher of KC Metro Woman magazine, and has also hosted three talk radio shows in the Kansas City area.
