How to cat-proof a real Christmas tree
3 min read · Published
Practical ways to stop a cat climbing, chewing or toppling a real Christmas tree, based on advice from Cats Protection, the RSPCA and Petplan.
Cats Protection describes Christmas trees for cat owners as potentially “a nightmare, especially if your cat likes to climb” (Cats Protection). You can’t make a tree cat-proof, but you can make it hard to climb, hard to knock over and boring to chew.
Is a real tree toxic to cats?
The RSPCA calls Christmas trees “low toxicity”, but chewing the needles can cause mouth pain, drooling, vomiting or diarrhoea (RSPCA). Cats Protection warns that some of the oils in real trees can make a cat very unwell, and that fertilisers and plant food are harmful too (Cats Protection). PDSA adds that needles can get stuck in a cat’s soft palate (PDSA).
People often ask whether a Fraser fir or a Nordmann fir is safer for cats. None of these charities names a safer species, so treat them all the same way.
Stop it falling over
Most cat-and-tree accidents start with a climb. The RSPCA recommends anchoring the tree to a wall (RSPCA). Petplan suggests thin wire to the wall or ceiling, so a cat in the branches doesn’t bring the whole thing down (Petplan).
Use a heavy stand, and pick a tree size that sits comfortably in it. Petplan also recommends a corner well away from sofas, shelves and windowsills, so the cat has nothing to launch from.
Make the base unappealing
Keep the tree away from furniture your cat can jump from, and close the room when you cannot supervise. Give your cat toys and a comfortable place elsewhere to spend time. Physical separation is more dependable than trying to make the tree smell unpleasant.
Cover the water reservoir too. Petplan warns that tree water may contain harmful bacteria (Petplan). A tree skirt or netting over the stand stops a cat drinking from it (PDSA).
Decorate for a cat
- Leave the tree bare for a few days. Petplan suggests this to let the cat get used to it before anything shiny goes on (Petplan).
- Hang decorations near the top and keep the lowest branches plain (Cats Protection).
- Skip glass baubles. They shatter easily.
- Skip tinsel and ribbon. Cats Protection says swallowed tinsel can cause blockages that can be fatal (Cats Protection).
- Hang a few bells on the low branches. They warn you when the cat is investigating (Petplan).
- Keep cat presents away from the tree, especially anything with catnip (Cats Protection).
The RSPCA also suggests giving your cat other things to do, such as new toys or a feeding puzzle, so the tree isn’t the most interesting thing in the room (RSPCA).
Lights and cables
Run the cable to the socket through a plastic or cardboard tube. Switch the lights off at the wall whenever you go out (Cats Protection). Check the wires every few days for bite marks.
Signs your cat has eaten something
Watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, refusing food or unusual tiredness (PDSA). If you think your cat has swallowed tinsel, ribbon or part of a bauble, phone your vet straight away. Take the item or its packaging with you if you can (Cats Protection).