Cats and Christmas trees

[Betty]

Being unemployed, I have more time this year to decorate for Christmas. I also have 2 cats this year that we didn't have before.

What advice can you give me about the tree?

I've been collecting purple ornaments since I was in high school and nearly all are unique now (as opposed to simple purple balls.) I would like to somehow protect the tree. My last experience with cats and christmas trees was a long long time ago and it resulted in broken ornaments.

I could put up a small fiber optic tree (which my husband would probably prefer) - but since I'm home it would be so nice to enjoy the collection of pretty little tchotchkes.

I know you kitty people have experience with this. What do you do?

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Betty

Being unemployed, I have more time this year to decorate for Christmas. I also have 2 cats this year that we didn't have before.

What advice can you give me about the tree?

I've been collecting purple ornaments since I was in high school and nearly all are unique now (as opposed to simple purple balls.) I would like to somehow protect the tree. My last experience with cats and christmas trees was a long long time ago and it resulted in broken ornaments.

I could put up a small fiber optic tree (which my husband would probably prefer) - but since I'm home it would be so nice to enjoy the collection of pretty little tchotchkes.

I know you kitty people have experience with this. What do you do?

Tinsel. For the love of God skip the tinsel.

[Betty]

No tinsel. Do they even sell that anymore?

[RStar]

Yes, they do.

Tip #1- tie all wiring down. Cats can chew on the wires if they hang. Besides the obvious demise seen in Christmas vacation (kitty fireball), there is a lot of lead in these wires.

Tip #2- I have a fake tree because no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get the cats to stop drinking the water with that tree saver powder mixed in it. I'm sure it's not real good for them. The tree is pre-lit so it's less hastle and mess also. And don't let any breakable ornaments hang low on the tree. Use twist ties or crimp the metal hangers tight on the branches so if they bat at them, they stay on.

Tip #3- If you put the tree in the corner, and stack gifts or other items in the back first, you are less likely to have them hang out behind the tree causing mischief where you can't see them.

Tip #4- Do not let the cats in the house at all durring the holidays, and put what ever you like anywhere you want with out a single worry.

Just kidding.

Tip #5- get the cats thier own little sparkly things to play with to keep them interested with that, rather than your decorations.

Tip #6- have a happy holidays and enjoy it with your precious furry friends!

[Not Afraid]

Get a tree and don'e decorate it or water it. It makes a great scratching post.

If they eat tinsel, it will come out the other end and most likely have a turd wrapped around it. The tinsel will not come all of the way out of the cat's but, so the cat will run around like a banshee trying to get away from the turd on a string that is chasing him. When you do catch him, you'll get the pleasure of pulling a long strand of tinsel out of his ass.

Decorate a tree outside.

Give up and throw a large NYE party, invite everyone to spread matresses everywhere and skip Christmas all together.

[Betty]

LOL - I've missed so much.

Will they try and climb the fake tree?

Butters is smaller but Oliver is larger then my 2 chihuahuas put together and will kick your ass if he feels like it. He has some serious wrecking potential. I was wondering if you ever try and attach it at the top somehow so it doesn't tip over.

The real tree is out of the question moneywise as is leaving the cats outside. Aside from it getting pretty cold out (below freezing some nights) they are totally indoor kitties cause I'm skerred.

I suppose I can patrol the tree with a trusty squirt bottle to help discourage them.

[RStar]

Of course I was only kidding about leaving them outside. I fully belive in domestic cats never going outside. It's too dangerous for them. I know from bad experiences with two cats. Only feral cats raised outside can take care of themselves.

The artificial trees are very difficult to climb, too many branches and a smooth truck. They are more likely to pull the tree over than climb it. But in my 35 years of Christmas trees and cats, I've never had that happen. If you are worried about it, put a brick, rock, or something else realy heavy on each of the legs of the tree stand to stabilize it, and cover that with a white sheet or a large tree skirt to cover it. This will look better than tieing it to the wall.

A real tree smells more natural to them, and a fake one doesn't. But even still, if they've never seen one, they will probably be afraid of it enough to stay away, at least for a while.

Just remember, no dangling thingies!

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

If they eat tinsel, it will come out the other end and most likely have a turd wrapped around it. The tinsel will not come all of the way out of the cat's but, so the cat will run around like a banshee trying to get away from the turd on a string that is chasing him. When you do catch him, you'll get the pleasure of pulling a long strand of tinsel out of his ass.

Yeah. That's what I already said.

Originally Posted by Moonliner

Tinsel. For the love of God skip the tinsel.

[Kevy Baby]

We've got cats and have had live trees many times. We just keep the dangly stuff off the lower limbs and have had minimal problems.

And no tinsel.

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

Yeah. That's what I already said.

Yes, but you didn't explain the dangerous results in glowing detail.