Keeping cats out of Christmas trees

’Tis the season of Santa Claus, which means it’s time to be mindful of little paws. Cats are notorious for committing Christmas tree carnage, leaving shattered ornaments, mistreated tinsel and scattered pine needles in their wake.

But according to Brian Evans, the medical director at online veterinarian service Dutch, it’s all a matter of instinct.

“Cats are natural climbers and explorers, so it’s hard to blame them for wanting to explore a new tree placed inside the home,” he told Elle Decor.

“Then when we add what appears to be the equivalent of shiny cat toys … I’d almost be more concerned if a cat didn’t want to explore this new wonderland.”

How, then, to stave off curious kitties? Here are five tips.

REMOVE THE MYSTIQUE

Once you set up your tree, leave it without decorations for a few days so your cat can get used to the change in environment.

“They will sniff, climb or scratch, and that’s OK,” veterinarian Sandra Giltner, a consultant at cat furniture brand Lucybalu, told Elle Decor. “The more time they have to explore it, the better. Because then they will get more used to it.”

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Consider putting the tree in an area that your cat already knows is off limits. If that’s not an option, try picking a spot where you can surround the tree with a physical barrier like an exercise pen, fence, or baby gate.

“Some cat owners have had luck surrounding their tree with crumpled-up plastic bags, lines of masking tape (sticky side up), and walls of wrapped gifts (some empty ones as fillers in the barrier),” says the Treehugger website. “Depending on your cat’s personality and preferences, these tactics may or may not work.”

DECORATE STRATEGICALLY

Put ornaments higher on the tree and nearer to the trunk, suggests the PETA website, so they’re harder to reach. Tie ornaments securely to your tree instead of using small metal hooks, which can be harmful. Hang lights nearer to the trunk to deter your cat from chewing the wires, and use cord protectors to cover exposed ones.

As for tinsel, cats can choke on it and it can get stuck in their intestines, so consider paper, wood or felt decorations instead. Don’t forget to secure the tree’s base so it won’t easily tip over, and remove nearby pieces of furniture that can serve as cat launching pads.

THE NEXT ODOUR OF BUSINESS

Cats don’t like the smell of rosemary and citrus, and generally avoid aluminum foil. You can also use catrepelling sprays or mist a few pinecones with apple cider vinegar. “Cats generally hate the scent and will likely avoid the area,” veterinarian Tricia Earley told Country Living.

REMOVE HAZARDS

Avoid decorating with real candles, small items your cat could choke on, and fake snow, which could contain toxic chemicals. Keep poisonous foods and plants out of reach — these include chocolate, mistletoe, lilies and poinsettias.

Finally, if you have a real tree, cover the water bowl so Kitty can’t sneak a sip. “It’s so bad for them,” interior designer Nicole Fuller, who’s based in Millbrook, N.Y., told Elle Decor. “I’ve had my upholsterer put zippers on the tree skirt so it zips tight around the trunk of my tree, and they can’t get in there.”