Cats and real Christmas trees....

Angelicdevil

meritaten wrote: »

arrgggh NO! don't put the expensive ones on yet! bung the cheapy ones on and see how cat reacts over a couple of days! then if happy cat will leave it alone and not 'redecorate' to his/her own ideas..........put your 'best baubles' on!

Ruddy good shout meri!!!!

Think I may leave it bare for a couple of days then add lights and replaceable bits before contemplating the spensive bits!

SadBunny

In my experience the tree is irresistible to cats. My greatest concern was tinsel - I had to ban it.
http://www.petinsurance.com/healthzone/pet-articles/pet-health/Top-5-Holiday-Dangers-to-Pets.aspx
http://thepreventivevet.tumblr.com/post/14017054377/the-12-pet-hazards-of-christmas-day-1
You should get some beautiful photos for next year's cards / calendar.

DKLS

When our two furry hooligans arrived, we found a half a fake Christmas tree that you hung on the wall and was very secure even with two Orientals climbing up it.


Now we have a normal tree and they aren't interested, except when its being put up and they are fascinated.

Angelicdevil

Luckily, I don't do tinsel, so no need to ban it in my house!

I'm expecting it to take 5 times as long to decorate the tree with the kittens around, I can't do anything without them getting involved!

Slinky

We have an artificial tree but suspect new cat will be a nightmare with it. Old cat couldn't give a monkeys.

Mayflower10cat

Ours were very intrigued by a small, rooted tree we used to dig up for Christmas each year - they'd climb into the pot and lie on the soil. No idea why. Lower baubles were fair game, so we only hung cheapo plastic ones within reach. Actually, they mostly wanted to get behind the pot and lie snoozing in the pine-fragranced corner, away from human reach!

Lilyjade

Our cat was forever climbing and knocking our tree down (and undecorating) so we switched to a fibre optic one. Last year however we bought an umbrella christmas tree, we get to decorate and kitties can't reach the decorations. It's not to everyone's taste but we like it.

Our local cat rescue has just issued some warnings and tips regarding decorations and kitties:
Real Christmas trees can be a worry as their needles must not be ingested (or trodden on by soft paws)
Fake trees need to be fixed to something if you have a climber. it's also best if the tree isn't positioned too near tall furniture, to remove the attraction of tree-diving from height
Tinsel can be very dangerous when eaten
You can wipe cider vinegar on wires to deter most cats from chewing if you can't tape them to the floor
Watch out for glass baubles, they are highly likely to smash and the thin glass slithers are a nightmare to clean up sufficiently from carpets.
Another tip is not to put decorations up while your cat is watching as the process of decorating can spark an initial interest which turns all sparkley things into toys for the next month!

Decorations and cats can be a challenge!

peachyprice

I've had no problems with my 6 and a real tree, they've never tried to climb it, but if they did at least it would be sturdier than an artificial one.

We have a selection of plastic baubles we put around the bottom, they do get batted a bit, but we've never had any of the glass ones higher up touched. The dog on the other hand has feasted on candy canes and chocolate coins, these have to go up high now too.

meritaten

peachyprice wrote: »

I've had no problems with my 6 and a real tree, they've never tried to climb it, but if they did at least it would be sturdier than an artificial one.

We have a selection of plastic baubles we put around the bottom, they do get batted a bit, but we've never had any of the glass ones higher up touched. The dog on the other hand has feasted on candy canes and chocolate coins, these have to go up high now too.

Reminds me of the year that my First Dog Anni ate one of my dads presents which was under the tree! It was a large box of chocolate liquers. she ate them foil wrappings and all! We phoned her vet in a panic and was told to bring her in immediately - at about 8.00pm on Christmas Eve! which meant paying a babysitter to come at short notice. then there was the cost of the emergency treatment - and emetic to make her sick and OH had to pay by cheque - which worried him sick as he wasn't sure there was enough in the bank to cover it!
but - I did have to laugh when the vet was told she had eaten a whole box of choc liquers - he said 'Bring her straight in - but don't let her drive'!

Air_Cooled_75

A slightly different slant. We had a rescue cat, the first time we brought a real Christmas tree in she completely freaked out, ran up the walls and weed all over them! We have no idea why...

But once the tree was up and decorated she was fine. They both were, there was messing with the deccies a bit but nothing major

I love Simon's cat too, all too true