How to Cat Proof Your Christmas Tree

Your cat will think the Christmas tree is a new climbing toy, so be careful!

Your Christmas tree is beautiful. It is decorated to the hilt and ready to be displayed. Proudly you bring in the family to enjoy it. You also bring in the family cat. Suddenly, disaster ensues. The cat darts under the tree, scattering ornaments and tinsel, and causing the tree to sway dangerously from side to side. What’s wrong? You forgot to cat proof your Christmas tree! This is an important step if you own cats, and it can mean the difference between a happy holiday and a disastrous one.

Things You'll Need

• Christmas tree
• Ornaments
• Christmas lights
• High test fishing line
• Nail
• Pliers
• Duct tape

Instructions

How to Cat Proof Your Christmas Tree

1. Remove your cat from the room while you decorate. He will be curious about all of the stuff you are using.

2. Connect the tree to the ceiling with the fishing line. Be sure to secure the fishing line to the ceiling with a small nail or hook. Connect the fishing line to the very top of the tree. This will protect the tree from tipping over if your cat decides to climb it.

3. Decorate your tree. Start with the lights. Make sure that the cord is secured and not hanging down like a toy to tempt your cat.

4. Pay attention to placement of your ornaments, and avoid putting any expensive or sentimental ornaments at the bottom of your tree. Remember, these will look like interesting toys to your cat! Also, pay attention to any small ornaments that could be choking hazards.

5. Hang the ornaments with the wire hangers. Clamp the hangers shut with the pliers to keep them tightly on the tree.

6. Tape the legs of the tree to a large piece of plywood. If you have enough clearance on the ceiling, put the tree on a short table to make it less interesting to your cat.

7. Secure the tree topper if it is fragile. Your cat may reach the top of the tree if he is a good climber, and you do not want an expensive tree topper sent crashing to the ground.

8. Cover the tree stand. Your cat will try to drink this water, and it can be full of bacteria after standing for a while.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember, cat proofing your tree is for your benefit and the benefit of your cat. It protects your investment in the decorations and keeps your cat safe.

• Consider putting unbreakable ornaments toward the bottom of your tree.

• Wrapping tinfoil around the trunk of the tree may keep your cat from climbing.

• Never use tinsel if you have a cat. It makes a huge mess when spread across your house, and it is a choking hazard.

Resources

• Cat Proofing the Christmas Tree