Tree Cat-astrophe Sidestepped

A friend recently asked me how to keep her new kitten out of the Christmas tree. I jokingly told her to hang the tree upside down from the ceiling. Not the most useful of replies, but I don’t have the most experience in that department.

I haven’t had a traditional Christmas tree in years. I had a living tree in a pot (a ficus) that got strung with miniature lights and paper decorations for years. Part of that was because I was a poor college student already with said ficus, and another part was because I didn’t trust my cats not to make a mess/hurt themselves/otherwise get into mischief.

My cats like to climb in the fireplace and roll around in the soot. They go crazy when they hear the bag of wrapping paper come out, because they know that kitty crack (aka curling ribbon) comes with wrapping paper. They like to bat at candle flames.

So, yes, I do let my feline friends dictate what the holiday looks like in my house. And that leaves me ill equip to give advise on Christmas trees and kittens. It turns out that my flippant response wasn’t all that far off the mark.

Here is what is recommended to “pet proof” your Christmas tree:

• Anchor the bottom securely
• Anchor top of tree to ceiling (use fishing line)
• Use a lidded base for the tree, so you can add water and not have pets fishing in it. (Still water can breed bacteria)
• Beware of “icicles” or other stringy tinsel
• Cover cords with barriers (such as “critter cord”) to avoid chewing
• Hang any glass or breakable ornaments high out of reach of paws and wagging tails.
• Keep edible gifts hidden away until they are to be opened.
• Watch for dried pine needles, they can cause stomach upset.

The tree is the most obvious “danger zone,” but also to be taken into account are holiday plants (holly, mistletoe, lilies, and the lesser but often thought of poinsettia), increased foot traffic, potpourri – both liquid and sachets, unattended food and drinks, and snow globes.

 For more tips on holiday pet safety visit the ASPCA website.

Photos of Kiss courtesy of lillyblossom.com. Photo of Pretty © s.c.spencer.