Things You'll Need:
- cinnamon
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Step 1
Make sure your tree is stable. If your cat can step on the tree stand and the tree will wobble, the movement of the tree and the ornaments encourages them to play.
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Step 2
Holiday decorations and ornaments that have feathers are an invitation for trouble. Anything that you hang that can sway in a slight breeze is tantalizing. If you put your Christmas tree up against a wall or floor vent, it would be a good idea to close it while the tree is up.
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Step 3
Use the decorative holiday bells as ornaments and fill your tree with them. Most have the loop on top of them so you can run an ornament hanger through it and hang them. If your pet is messing with the tree, you will hear the bells wherever you are in the house. In my house it is known as the Early Detection System and as an added bonus, it also works well with children.
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Step 4
Sprinkle cinnamon in the tree itself and around the base. Cinnamon is non-toxic to cats but they do not like the smell and it will make them sneeze. They will very quickly start avoiding the tree once they encounter the cinnamon. You may have to reapply it once or twice during the holiday season to keep the scent fresh.
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Step 5
Do not put your tree up directly next to a piece of furniture. If they can jump onto a piece of furniture and then climb in higher up the tree to bypass the cinnamon, the most persistent of cats will still try.
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Step 6
Wait to put out presents that have shiny bows and ribbons until Christmas Eve. It is another invitation for trouble.
Comments
FrazzledNanny said
on 2/27/2009 Thanks for the cinnamon tip. I had never heard about using it. I always herd to put citrus peels on the tree. 5*