How Do I Cat-Proof a Christmas Tree?

To cat proof a Christmas tree, anchor it so it can't tip, cover the tree water, and skip the tinsel. Hang only unbreakable ornaments on the lower branches, tie them on with loops instead of hooks, and keep light cords out of reach.

Those few steps deal with the biggest dangers. The rest is about making the tree less tempting, and knowing what to do if your cat gets into something anyway.

Why do cats go after Christmas trees?

From a cat's point of view, someone just brought a climbing frame indoors. It's tall, it smells of outside, and it's covered in dangling things that swing when touched.

The height is a big part of the pull. The AAFP and ISFM environmental needs guidelines explain that cats seek out raised spots because being up high lets them watch over their surroundings. A tree offers the best view in the room.

Then there's play. Those guidelines describe a strong hunting instinct that shows up even in well-fed cats. A shiny bauble twisting on a branch looks a lot like something worth batting.

None of that is bad behavior. Good cat-proofing removes the dangers and gives your cat a better place to climb.

How do I stop my cat knocking the tree over?

Secure it first, decorate second. The ASPCA's holiday advice is to make sure the tree is tightly secured so there is no chance it can tip over and hurt a pet nearby.

Cornell's Feline Health Center puts it bluntly: unless the tree is anchored, the results can be devastating. Its practical fix is to anchor the top of the tree to the ceiling with a cup hook and some wire or string.

A few other steps help:

• Use a wide, heavy stand rated for the size of your tree.
• Tie the trunk to a sturdy hook in the wall or ceiling as well, so a climbing cat can't pull it sideways.
• Place the tree away from sofas, shelves and windowsills your cat could use as a launch pad.
• Choose a smaller tree in the first year with a new kitten, while you learn how she reacts.

Here's the surprising part. Cornell notes that some cat owners go as far as hanging the tree upside down from the ceiling. Most homes won't need that, but it shows how seriously vets take an unanchored tree.

Is Christmas tree water safe for cats?

No, so keep it covered. The ASPCA warns that tree water can contain fertilizers and bacteria that can cause nausea and stomach upset if a pet drinks it.

Cornell's advice is to use plain water with no chemicals added to keep the tree fresh, and to keep cats away from it anyway. A tree skirt or towel tucked over the stand, as the ASPCA suggests, makes the water much harder to reach.

Fresh water in your cat's own bowl, placed well away from the tree, gives her a better option. Our new kitten checklist covers the basics every cat home should have.

As for the tree itself, the ASPCA notes that Christmas trees are not particularly toxic. The bigger risks are what's in the stand and what's hanging on the branches.

Which decorations are dangerous for cats?

Tinsel and ribbon

Tinsel is the one to leave in the box. The ASPCA describes it as especially attractive to cats, because it's sparkly, catches the light and is easy to carry in the mouth.

That's what makes it dangerous. The ASPCA warns that even a small amount swallowed can obstruct a pet's digestive tract and may need surgery.

Cornell explains why string-like things are so serious for cats. If a strand catches around the base of the tongue before it is fully swallowed, it acts like a piano wire as the gut moves, and can cut through the intestines.

The Merck Veterinary Manual adds that cats tend to swallow string, yarn and similar objects while playing with them.

Long curling ribbon on gifts carries the same risk. Cornell's rule of thumb works well here: anything unsafe for a child is unsafe for a cat.

Ornaments and hooks

Glass ornaments are the main worry. The ASPCA warns that shards of broken ornaments can damage a pet's mouth and digestive tract, and small ornaments are a choking hazard too.

Cornell recommends cat-friendly ornaments made of cloth, straw or wood at the bottom of the tree, tied on with cloth loops rather than metal hooks. Save the glass heirlooms for high branches, or for a year when your cat has lost interest.

Lights, cords and batteries

Cords are a real hazard, especially for kittens who chew. The ASPCA warns that a wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock, and that a punctured battery can burn the mouth and esophagus.

Merck's guide for cat owners describes what chewing a cord can do: injuries to the teeth and wounds across the tongue and in the corners of the mouth. Cornell notes the danger is greatest when cords are plugged in.

• Run light strands on the inner branches, away from the tips your cat can reach.
• Cover floor cords with a cord protector, or tuck them behind furniture.
• Unplug the lights when you go out or go to bed.
• Keep spare batteries and battery-powered decorations out of paws' reach.

Candles and holiday plants

Candles can be knocked over by a curious cat, and the ASPCA warns of burns and fires. Cornell suggests battery-operated candles instead.

Some festive plants are a problem too. The ASPCA notes that holly and mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset, and that lilies are highly toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure in cats. Keep lilies out of holiday flower arrangements altogether.

How do I make the tree less tempting?

Try giving the tree a quiet first day. Set it up bare and let your cat sniff and explore it before anything breakable goes on, so you can see how she reacts.

Then decorate from the top down, keeping the lowest branches nearly empty. A cat batting from the floor finds nothing to swing at.

Offer a better place to climb. The AAFP and ISFM guidelines treat raised resting spots as something every cat needs. A cat tree near a window, set up before the holidays, gives her a high perch of her own.

Make time to play, too. Short sessions with a wand toy give her a safe outlet for the stalking and pouncing the ornaments invite. Put string toys away afterward, since loose string is exactly what you're keeping her away from.

If she's using the trunk as a scratching post, Cornell's general advice applies: put a sturdy post right next to the spot she likes to scratch. Our guide to choosing a cat scratcher explains what most cats prefer.

Skip the scolding. Cornell explains that cats don't link a punishment to what they did, so it mostly teaches fear. Supervise while the tree is new, and close the door to that room when you can't watch.

Call your vet promptly, or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435, if your cat:

• has string, tinsel or ribbon hanging from her mouth. Don't pull it. Merck warns it may be anchored and pulling can cause serious internal damage.
• may have swallowed tinsel, ribbon, an ornament hook or pieces of a broken ornament, even if she seems fine
• has chewed a light cord, or is drooling or reluctant to eat afterward
• has bitten into a battery
• has nibbled holly, mistletoe or any part of a lily
• has drunk tree water treated with a preservative or fertilizer

Questions new cat parents ask

Are real or artificial Christmas trees safer for cats?

Both can be made safe. The ASPCA notes that real trees are not particularly toxic, but their water needs covering. Whichever you choose, anchoring it and decorating carefully matter far more.

Is tinsel really that dangerous for cats?

Yes. The ASPCA warns that even a small amount swallowed can block the digestive tract and may need surgery. Its holiday advice is to steer clear of tinsel and use lights and ornaments instead.

How do I keep my kitten out of the Christmas tree?

Anchor the tree, keep the lowest branches bare, and supervise while it's new. Close the door when you can't watch. Merck's example of cord injury is a kitten, so give cords and small ornaments extra care.

Should I hide the presents under the tree?

Wrap them without long curling ribbon, which Cornell advises against under a tree. Keep gifts of food, batteries or small parts out of reach until they're opened.

Sources

• ASPCA: Holiday Safety Tips
• ASPCA: ASPCA Offers Pet Safety Tips for the Holiday Season
• ASPCA: It's That Time of Year Again! Keep Your Pets Safe This Holiday Season with These Tips
• Cornell Feline Health Center: Beware Holiday Hazards
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Gastrointestinal Obstruction in Small Animals
• Merck Veterinary Manual (Cat Owners): Disorders of the Mouth in Cats
• Cornell Feline Health Center: Feline Behavior Problems: Destructive Behavior
• Ellis SLH et al. AAFP and ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2013

This article is for general information and is not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own cat — they know the animal in front of them.

Choolip products are food supplements, not medicine. They are not intended to diagnose or manage any medical condition. If your cat has been diagnosed with a condition, their diet should be set by your vet.