How to keep a kitten off of the Christmas tree???

I was suckered in about a month ago by my 4 year old to get a kitten. It's definitely a job trying to preserve things around the house from this kitten. She is tearing everything up and knocking things over left and right. My only concern right now is the Christmas tree. We are going to be putting it up next week and I already know she's going to be swinging from vine to vine and knocking everything off. Anyone know or have any ideas how to keep this kitten off of the tree? As long as my son is happy we are keeping the kitten; I just want some ideas other than getting rid of the kitten and hanging the tree from the ceiling lol. Thanks
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Replies

  • JustYandy
    JustYandy Posts: 221 Member
    WATER BOTTLE?
  • ThePlight
    ThePlight Posts: 3,593 Member
    I don't know, I buy decorations for mine yearly due to this. I have two cats, one of which is pictured as my display image.
    They don't leave the tree alone. It is now broken, 2 branches are attached to the upper ones, no matter what I do, they still knock it over and I'm done trying to keep them off it.
    I just make sure to avoid real trees because if they eat that, it can damage their intestines and stomach, and they will poop out blood.
    I'm not going to win this fight. I've given up. I can get a tree every couple of years, I guess. No biggie lol.
  • kellenas
    kellenas Posts: 154
    I really don't know. We have a cat who I affectionately named "Demon" who gets in the tree every year and nothing seems to deter her. She loves to play with the foil that we put around the bottom. Fresh orange peel seems to work a little, but not enough to keep her out of the tree. Spraying her with water only works if you catch her doing it.
  • CountryGirl8542
    CountryGirl8542 Posts: 449 Member
    WATER BOTTLE?

    this... spray it with water when it gets in your tree
  • arghbowl
    arghbowl Posts: 1,179 Member
    Easy. Don't get a cat.
  • ThePlight
    ThePlight Posts: 3,593 Member
    WATER BOTTLE?

    this... spray it with water when it gets in your tree
    Only works if you're watching them 24/7.
    However, does not work on mine. They simply don't care and just shut their eyes as I spray.
  • I don't know, I buy decorations for mine yearly due to this. I have two cats, one of which is pictured as my display image.
    They don't leave the tree alone. It is now broken, 2 branches are attached to the upper ones, no matter what I do, they still knock it over and I'm done trying to keep them off it.
    I just make sure to avoid real trees because if they eat that, it can damage their intestines and stomach, and they will poop out blood.
    I'm not going to win this fight. I've given up. I can get a tree every couple of years, I guess. No biggie lol.

    Oh man! well, I guess I'll just plan on getting a fake tree. i was unaware of that so thank you for that info!!
  • Escape_Artist
    Escape_Artist Posts: 1,155 Member
    Best trick I have found so far :

    In an empty bottle mix
    1liter of water
    10 drops lemon essential oils
    20 drops eucalyptus oil

    Spray the tree with the mix
  • WATER BOTTLE?

    this... spray it with water when it gets in your tree
    Only works if you're watching them 24/7.
    However, does not work on mine. They simply don't care and just shut their eyes as I spray.

    I use the water bottle for my kitchen table but I've realized that when we are not home it's on the table anyways.. seems like the water does not help ugh ;(
  • Easy. Don't get a cat.

    too late; not an option
  • ThePlight
    ThePlight Posts: 3,593 Member
    I don't know, I buy decorations for mine yearly due to this. I have two cats, one of which is pictured as my display image.
    They don't leave the tree alone. It is now broken, 2 branches are attached to the upper ones, no matter what I do, they still knock it over and I'm done trying to keep them off it.
    I just make sure to avoid real trees because if they eat that, it can damage their intestines and stomach, and they will poop out blood.
    I'm not going to win this fight. I've given up. I can get a tree every couple of years, I guess. No biggie lol.

    Oh man! well, I guess I'll just plan on getting a fake tree. i was unaware of that so thank you for that info!!
    The cat I have pictured in my dp ate a few pieces of it, and we thought "Oh, hey, he likes it"..
    BAD idea. We ended up having to take the poor baby to the vet. Before I get anything, I research it.. Having pets is like having children that will never grow up lol.
  • DesDawn24
    DesDawn24 Posts: 147 Member
    I agree with the water bottle technique, but it only works if you're there a lot of the time to catch her doing it. A friend of mine suggested using one part water and one part vinegar, spray it on and around the tree. It's not harmful, and cats hate the smell of it. I sprayed my furniture with it when my cat wouldn't stop scratching, and he hasn't touched it since.
  • pinkledoodledoo
    pinkledoodledoo Posts: 290 Member
    water bottle (as others suggested) and a new set of "soft" ornaments that won't break... chances are you have a few of these around anyway if you have a 4 year old.
  • MeadowSong
    MeadowSong Posts: 171 Member
    I like cats. But I can't eat a whole one by myself. . . .
  • SF2514
    SF2514 Posts: 794 Member
    I've given up and converted to plastic ornaments only. They won't knock over the tree, but they love to smash as many ornaments as possible.
  • leilaphoenix
    leilaphoenix Posts: 839 Member
    Don't spoil Christmas for your kitten!! Let it play in the tree. :)
  • MissyJessy
    MissyJessy Posts: 1,279 Member
    Ha ha there is no controlling cats. They do what they want when they want...
  • NikiChicken
    NikiChicken Posts: 576 Member
    I have three cats and I have had cats since I was 4 - I'm now over 40. I have yet to find a way to keep the cats out of the Christmas tree. In fact, just this morning, I came downstairs to head out for my morning walk and found Winston, my big orange tabby half way up the tree, curled around the center pole (we have a fake tree) and watching me. When I tried to get him out, he wrapped his paws around the center pole and growled at me (he's all bark and no bite). He was not budging. Every night I come home from work to find ornaments scattered through the living room. I'm just used to it. I don't put ornaments on the tree that they can break.

    As others have said, a water bottle only works if you have it handy and catch them in the act.
  • pkbryant28
    pkbryant28 Posts: 146 Member
    Put ornaments on the bottom that have bells to alert you when they are in the tree and keep the spray bottle visible, now all we have to do is the sit the spray bottle by the tree and she does not go near it. It did take a couple of years of training though, the 1st year was the most difficult after that each year would decrease her attempts to get in the tree now she just sees the water bottle and doesn't even try any more, the ornaments with the bells are still there though in the event she gets a little brave.
  • EyeLikeTacos
    EyeLikeTacos Posts: 324 Member
    WATER BOTTLE?

    + Me


    I will sit at your home and watch the cat and spray it with water when it gets near me or the tree.

    I will do this for free Tacos.
  • ThePlight
    ThePlight Posts: 3,593 Member
    WATER BOTTLE?

    + Me


    I will sit at your home and watch the cat and spray it with water when it gets near me or the tree.

    I will do this for free Tacos.

    Sounds like a great deal!
    Only problem, mine don't care anymore :( lol
  • Kalley1959
    Kalley1959 Posts: 287 Member
    Good luck, mine still wreak havoc on the tree. Fake tree and NO tinsel and non breakable ornaments!!
  • Greenrun99
    Greenrun99 Posts: 2,065 Member
    This is why you get a dog, your cat runs your house. Who's meowin now.
  • littlepinkhearts
    littlepinkhearts Posts: 1,055 Member
    omG this made me laugh....i have soooooo many pics of my cute little kitten nestled in my Christmas tree. Last year my tree was white and she looked so freaking adorable peeking out of her little spot located second floor from the very top lol Obviously i have no tips for you, cause i tried them all and finally just accepted that she's not gonna stay out of it till she's older. Took me one Christmas season to realize that. So many times i came out of my bedroom in the morning and the tree was lying on the floor. Funny now, not so funny then!! So, good luck with finding something that works.
  • ThePlight
    ThePlight Posts: 3,593 Member
    omG this made me laugh....i have soooooo many pics of my cute little kitten nestled in my Christmas tree. Last year my tree was white and she looked so freaking adorable peeking out of her little spot located second floor from the very top lol Obviously i have no tips for you, cause i tried them all and finally just accepted that she's not gonna stay out of it till she's older. Took me one Christmas season to realize that. So many times i came out of my bedroom in the morning and the tree was lying on the floor. Funny now, not so funny then!! So, good luck with finding something that works.
    LOL, she's not coming out of that tree haha.
    That's adorable, though. Care to share pics? :)
  • MrsSWW
    MrsSWW Posts: 1,585 Member
    Clove oil? I guess it smells quite festive too, so might work...
  • rainunrefined
    rainunrefined Posts: 850 Member
    Petsmart or Petco, maybe even Walmart/Target sells this stuff called Bitter Yuck. We had to use it on our tree the first couple of years. It tastes nasty and they leave the tree alone. We just sprayed in on the bottom section.
  • KariBear7
    KariBear7 Posts: 26 Member
    Go to your local pet store, and see what they say. Also, you can contact sites like Catster, through Facebook and their websites, they might be able to help you. I am a huge fan of Jackson Galaxy...he is the host from My Cat from Hell TV show. He teaches people how to train, and deal with difficult cats (and a water bottle is actually the WORST possible thing you can do). Jackson has a page on Facebook, if you are on there, and he has a website. One thing about kittens, is when they start destroying stuff, it means that there is pent up energy that needs to be used up through play. Get LOTS of cat toys...and wear that cat out!
  • PawneeBrian
    PawneeBrian Posts: 2 Member
    Place tin foil around the tree. The kitty won't want to walk on it.
  • imncontrolofme
    imncontrolofme Posts: 38 Member
    I have two cats that think I put the tree up just for them! They completely broke my last tree since they both weigh between 12-15 pounds! I use to tie the tree to wall with fishing line so at least it didn't fall over, lol. This year I have bought a smaller tighter tree that sits on a table in a pot, we'll see what happens....either way, the cats are family and the tree is just extra. I guess if this doesn't work, I'll pin one on the wall and call it good next year! Good luck to you!