How to keep a kitten off of the Christmas tree???
Replies
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We got a new kittie this past summer and she is truly a handful, lol. Bengal/Maine coon cross and you can tell!! She can jump 3 feet! lol and she's a little stinker and likes to disobey, but you can tell she knows she's being bad because of her reaction when we catch her on tables and stuff... The Christmas tree is going to be interesting this year for sure. Definitely not putting expensive ornaments on, and leaving the bottom empty.
Maybe try involving your 4 year old in watching/disciplining the kitten when she goes to the tree. They do learn, they may not care, but they do learn. My older cat was easy, she just loves to sit under the tree, always has. Presents are another story. She likes to unwrap them, lol!0 -
I have 2 cats (7 & 10 years old) and have never had a problem with the tree. I guess I am lucky in that aspect. I do have several scratchers and climbing posts throughout the house and a wide variety of toys for them to keep busy with. I have a lot of large picture windows that their posts are strategically placed next to. They love sitting and watching the leaves blow in the wind and the wild life in my backyard. I also play with my cats every day, get them running around and exercising. This seems to tire them out.
I have used the water bottle before. Once cat doesn't care, the other will run away as soon as she sees the bottle. Usually my cat's don't get into trouble. They never jump on tables, counters or anything they shouldn't. Over the years, I have discovered positive reinforcement was a better route to go with my girls. I constantly praise them, pet them and give a treat when I catch them doing the right thing. (e.g. using their scratchers, playing with their toys) If you start while the kitten is young it is possible to train him/her where they can and cannot go. It takes a lot of time and patience but can be done. (I was even able to teach one of my cats to sit on command!) Good luck to you.0 -
The cat I have pictured in my dp ate a few pieces of it, and we thought "Oh, hey, he likes it"..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!!
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.
I had a cat that once ate an entire peace lily plant. According to every website out there, cats are allergic to them and it will kill them. This cat didn't even burp. Cats.0 -
In my experience:
Tie the tree to something so it can't come crashing down.
If the kitten wants to get at the tree, there will be no stopping it, short of having a door between the kitten and the tree.0 -
best solution we found was to use some fishing line to anchor the top of the tree to the wall. so it wont tip over. You are bound to have xmas ornaments batted off the tree left and right but better than risking it falling over.
Also, no tinsel whatsoever, it is very dangerous to them when they inevitably eat it.0 -
yeah, good luck with that. heh. i've never been able to keep the cats out of the tree, especially kittens. (lifetime multiple cat owner & have fostered many cats & kittens)
usually they just bat at the ornaments & drink the water from the base of the tree. they will snag some ornaments off the bottom part & we find them on the floor in the morning. honestly, I love it. we have special "kitty" ornaments that we put down low so they can play at night. just make sure that you place any sentimental and/or delicate ornaments up high. very high. then you should be ok. (although we once had a cat that was a climber, we woke up one day to find the entire tree knocked over. i don't think one little kitten could do that much damage though.)0 -
Well kittens are so much like toddlers and you really have to keep an eye on them and even kitten proof your home. I have three cats that I had since they were babies and those were crazy times! two of them are only 2 yrs old. I had a tree up one year and they destroyed it, little *kitten* :noway: LOL... But they didn't know better and no matter how many times I have used the water bottle at night when everyone is asleep they go at it. I come downstairs and my tree would be laying on the floor, ornaments EVERYWHERE! So I got smart last year and decided to just use a statue of Santa and use it as a tree. Had the tree cover around it and on the night of Christmas eve I lay the presents on the floor
HA HA kitties no tree for you! 
PS put the presents down on Christmas eve cause they will open them before the kids will 
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put the tree in another room that can be closed off from the kitten. that what i'm doing this year. my cats never learn any thing dangling they want to bat it around0
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I've had real trees and never had a problem with the cat eating them. I do avoid poinsettia flowers in the house as they are toxic to cats. You don't have to hang the tree from the ceiling, but tying it to a wall is a good idea so it doesn't tip over. I put stuffed, unbreakable ornaments on the bottom for the tree so it's not a big deal if the cat plays with them. If it's going to climb the tree, try using only stuffed/wooden/metal or other unbreakable ornaments. Skip any bulbs and no tinsel. They often try to eat the tinsel.0
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My fiance really likes cats, otherwise I don't think I would have warmed up to our two beasts as much.
The cat I have pictured in my dp ate a few pieces of it, and we thought "Oh, hey, he likes it"..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!!
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.
I had a cat that once ate an entire peace lily plant. According to every website out there, cats are allergic to them and it will kill them. This cat didn't even burp. Cats.
I have SO MANY links bookmarked about cats, it's not even funny. lol.
That cat sounds like a trooper! haha0 -
I put only soft/unbreakable ornaments at the bottom of the tree. I try to bribe the kitty by putting as many soft fuzzy things around to keep her away from the tree (she loves soft, fuzzy and warm. I discovered last year if I put a fleece/sherpa blanket on a chair she would often be on that rather than under my tree. It is her blanket, and we lose the chair for use by us for the Christmas season.0
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Cats like climbing trees and things dangling from it are just the icing on the cake. What you could try is training with the cat to stay out of the tree by offering a more rewarding spot. Set up a cat tree/tower and reward the cat with treats every time she/he goes on it. You can continue negatively reinforcing the cat when it shows interest in the Christmas tree but it will only work when you're around to monitor it. Having an appropriate alternative with a higher reward value usually helps long term training.0
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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
This looks promising.0 -
Also, no tinsel whatsoever, it is very dangerous to them when they inevitably eat it.
yes, good point! I forgot to mention to keep tinsel off the tree0 -
Good luck, mine still wreak havoc on the tree. Fake tree and NO tinsel and non breakable ornaments!!
This. And, we even had to resort to tying down the tree so it couldn't be toppled over (we had one big kitty who thought it was great fun to knock the whole thing over). They also like to kick everyone out of the manger set and curl up in the creche. Too cute!0 -
We handled ours by making sure it's terrified of the tree. Whenever he started attacking it, we'd make a loud noise (example: popping a balloon or shaking a jar of pennies). You need to watch him for 24-48 hours for it to be effective. The key is to not let him know it's *you* doing it, so he doesn't attack it when you're out of the room. If he thinks there's some omnipresent being *kitty God? who knows :laugh: * watching that tree at all times and he expects a loud noise whenever he touches the tree, he'll stay away.0
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I would try the suggested mixed sprays, sprayed on the tree and all around it. Perhaps choose a small enough tree that if it gets knocked completely over, it wont take out 1/2 the living room.
We can't really blame the furry ones for their exuberance, after all, we've brought their habitat inside and hung shiny toys on it. Its like a huge Christmas present to them!
Oh, and relax enough to take some pics of the furry one.0 -
Agreed. We have cloth ribbon on ours. The decorations are all plastic that folds, if they drop and the cats get to them, it's only plastic. They do tend to get to them.
Also, no tinsel whatsoever, it is very dangerous to them when they inevitably eat it.
yes, good point! I forgot to mention to keep tinsel off the tree0 -
Don't know if it actually works but my mother swear dryer sheets, like Bounce, will keep a cat off and away from whatever you put them on.0
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This is why you get a dog, your cat runs your house. Who's meowin now.
THIS. I have a dog. my dog likes to look at the tree. my dog does not attempt to climb the tree. my dog does not try to eat the tree. my dog doesn't attack the ornaments. in fact, he sleeps most of the day... unless there's a squirrel. then he barks. or unless it's time to eat. or poop. well, you get the idea...0 -
I made a cardboard (3D - ie, spokes) and stapled it to the wall, mine didn't play with it that year.
I hung mine from the ceiling (upside down) that worked too, but was a pain getting up & down.
Finally gave up - she eats the "fake" needles - walks 2 feet vomits them up, then goes back to try again. Or she loves the light wires - saw sparks as she was chewing and it didn't stop her. I think my damn cat got a hold of my Kanomi code as a kitten - infinite lives!0 -
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
I'm going to second this. Cats hate citrus and it will help teach the cat that the tree is a no-go.
Though honestly my cats have never broken anything on the tree. They like to climb in and nap on the branches, but they don't pull stuff off. Keep your fragile ornaments on the bottom so if they are knocked off, they won't break.0 -
Upside down tree sounds like a great idea hahaha.I made a cardboard (3D - ie, spokes) and stapled it to the wall, mine didn't play with it that year.
I hung mine from the ceiling (upside down) that worked too, but was a pain getting up & down.
Finally gave up - she eats the "fake" needles - walks 2 feet vomits them up, then goes back to try again. Or she loves the light wires - saw sparks as she was chewing and it didn't stop her. I think my damn cat got a hold of my Kanomi code as a kitten - infinite lives!0 -
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
This looks promising.
yeah that is a good idea. I never tried to essential oils to keep my cats away from something, but i have mixed lemon, eucalyptus & lavender in lotion and they stay away after i use it. also i have a peppermint foot spray that they do not like.0 -
Place tin foil around the tree. The kitty won't want to walk on it.
Not to mention it also keeps aliens away!!!
Wow......you guys really go through alot just to keep a cat off the tree. Glad I'm a dog person.
Disclaimer: this does not mean I hate cats or cat people. no cats were harmed during the writing of his thread. :flowerforyou:0 -
WATER BOTTLE?
I use a spray bottle with my dog and it works great when I want him to get away from things. I just have to show it to him now and he runs away :happy:0 -
This is why you get a dog, your cat runs your house. Who's meowin now.
THIS. I have a dog. my dog likes to look at the tree. my dog does not attempt to climb the tree. my dog does not try to eat the tree. my dog doesn't attack the ornaments. in fact, he sleeps most of the day... unless there's a squirrel. then he barks. or unless it's time to eat. or poop. well, you get the idea...
My cat poops in a central, easy to clean location, my cat doesn't drool on my furniture, my cat doesn't eat my shoes, my cat doesn't jump on my company, my cat doesn't annoy my neighbors barking at "ghosts", my cat doesn't track in mud, my cat doesn't need a baby sitter if I go on vacation, my cat doesn't whine if I leave the house for more than 2 seconds, my cat doesn't rush through the house knocking over precious objects like a lot of dogs do year round, never mind once a year holiday decorations, my cat doesn't try to break through windows to eat mailmen either, you get my point.
*edit* I'll consider my life run by an animal when I'm out at 2 am in the rain taking it for a walk, sleepy and miserable, picking up its poop in a little plastic baggy
. That's what I call whipped. 0 -
I saw this and thought, "did I post something and not know it???" I am dealing with this right now! I put up my pretty tree (as seen in my pic) last weekend. I have two cats, my older one has never touched it, but I just "rescued" a kitty this fall and its her first Christmas. The first few days she sniffed around and attempted to bat at an ornament, which I caught her and sprayed her with the water bottle. I ended up spraying her any time she got close to the tree after that and it seemed to work. That is until last night. She managed to get about 1/4 of it messed up and shattered an ornament batting it so hard against the dining room table legs. I came home and was ticked, but was able to reposition everything. Then I woke up around 3 am to finding over half of the tree destroyed--trimming unraveled, ornaments all over the floor. Needless to say we aren't on speaking terms at the moment.
I just did some research this morning and found 2 things I'm going to try. 1) either place oranges around the tree or spray with a citrus scent as cats are not keen on the scent, and 2) place pine cones at the base of the tree as cats do not like stepping on them (which for a little added help spray those with the citrus scent). I'm buying the stuff tonight--I'm hoping for success for my sake and hers!0 -
This is why you get a dog, your cat runs your house. Who's meowin now.
I disagree with you on this. I have 2 cats and my house is not ruined at all. I have new furniture and rugs through out my house too. My cats have never attempted to scratch these and destroy them. Just like with dogs, cats need to be trained on what they can and cannot do. It is much easier if you do this when it is still a kitten. Just like with a dog (I have had them too), training a cat involves time and patience. It is NOT impossible and can be done. Mine are proof of it. :happy:
EDIT: Sorry, I misread what you wrote. I read it as ruins not runs. I still disagree. My cats don't run my house either. My bird does. :laugh:0 -
LOL, she's not coming out of that tree haha.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.
That's adorable, though. Care to share pics?
never really bothered to learn how to put pics on here, but i added one as my display pic right now. Not the cutest one i've taken, but still cute haha0
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