Christmas trees and cats!

[JBalways2000]

Hi everyone, not been online for a while so hope all is well?

Im basically wondering if other cat owners still get away with having a christmas tree while having cats? I have four indoor cats and since getting them 3 years ago we havent even attempted to have a tree as ive had all sorts of images flash through my mind of them going nuts and jumping on it, pulling it down, spearing themselves on it, running off with decorations etc etc but im absolutely dying to have a tree this year and just wondered how others cope?

I thought that maybe if i got a pre lit christmas tree and put no or minimal decorations on it i might get away with it? but as i said, i still have images of them pulling it down or hurting themselves on it. Am i worrying over nothing? Unfortunately our house is open plan so i cant even close it in the living room while we arent in the house or something We do still hang decorations off the ceiling and the walls but it just never feels the same without a nice big christmas tree in the corner of the room.

Any advice?

[Kazz]

My two never bothered with the tree......so I am no help at all come to that the dogs either as pps or adult, nor the cats as kittens or adults did but my cats went out maybe inside cats..."expect" toys...things ot keep them amused whereas mine amused themselves.

Just get a tree......and keep the lights away from the base (incase one take to biting the tree) and decorate with unbreakable baubles lower down and you will be fine.

[Mags]

I can't remember how old your cats are now but I found Cassie very interested in climbing the tree in her younger days.

I found the best way to deter her was to make sure there were no direct routes that she could see up through the middle of the tree. To do this I 'filled' the middle with lots of green tinsel so that she couldn't see a way through the branches.

Also try not to hang tempting baubles within their reach or you will find them all over the floor the next morning!

Good luck, please let us know if you tree lasts the Christmas period!

[alexgirl73]

never had any probs with my 3 and a tree lol. good luck

[JBalways2000]

Thankyou all! and yep i pretty much decided that baubles would be a no go with my lot

the two oldest are 3 years and the other two are 2 years, but they all have a crazy moment *atleast* once a day as i said if i do get a tree il get a fibre optic pre lit one so they cant go chewing on any fairy lights lol think id just have to decorate with tinsel, or maybe look for a tree that is pre lit and has some pine cones or something attached too so that it doesnt look too bare.

Shall let you all know if i decide to get one-wish me luck!

[angieh]

Your post is very timely JB! I have always loved to have a real Christmas tree but have decided not to have one this year. Kizzy is new to me, although around 2 years old and I don't think that she would be much of a problem with the tree, but young Pip is into everything and is a climber born, so as I don't want chaos and a broken tree or injured paws I've decided on a nice table centre instead this year.

[Tina]

Get a tree!!

My 2 cats LOVE the Christmas tree.....they play under it, sleep under it, climb it, hide in the branches, knock it down, and run off with ornaments all the time......it's GREAT!!!!

[Leesy]

My 2 last year never bothered with the christmas tree to my surprise, I thought that they would with them both being so young, I thought that they would have been swinging from the branches and chasing each other up and down it, but NO they were just content knocking a few of the lower baubles about from time to time. I was abit dissapointed really LOL.

[kado]

I was going too get one but with having the kittens and now smokey is on cage rest thats where is cage is i cant have one.

[Phoenix]

Beauty was always scared of the Christmas tree so never tried climbing it.

Last year Dylan showed no interest in the tree whatsoever.