The best way to keep your Christmas tree safe from your feline friends is to place it somewhere where your cats don’t usually spend a lot of time. If there are rooms in your house where your cats know they aren’t allowed to go, then these are prime locations.  

It can often be impossible to keep your cats from prowling around wherever they please. If this is the case, you might need to consider other deterrents! When deciding where to put your tree, try to keep it away from anything that your cat can climb on, like chairs, tables and shelves. 

The best way to secure your tree from falling over if your cat does decide to climb it, is with a heavy, sturdy stand or tree guard. You can then use transparent tape to attach the legs of the stand to the surface it sits on, whether it’s the floor or a table. To make it extra secure, get a length of fishing line and secure the top of your tree to the ceiling or a nearby wall. 

The best way to secure your tree from falling over if your cat does decide to climb it, is with a heavy, sturdy stand or tree guard. You can then use transparent tape to attach the legs of the stand to the surface it sits on, whether it’s the floor or a table. To make it extra secure, get a length of fishing line and secure the top of your tree to the ceiling or a nearby wall. 

Luckily there are a whole host of different ways to discourage your cat from climbing or disturbing your Christmas tree!  

• Decorations: When decorating your tree, consider avoiding decorating the lower branches where your cat can easily swat at the baubles with their paws. This also stops your kitty from using the decorations on the lower branches to launch themselves up into the top of the tree. 
• Tinsel: When decorating, avoid tinsel as it can be pulled on by cats which can lead to more decorations (and even the tree itself!) being toppled over. Tinsel, if ingested, can cause significant digestive problems and may even get stuck in the intestines so best to avoid it. 
• Deterrents: Citrus spray in or around the tree can act as a deterrent. Cats hate the smell of oranges or other citrus fruits, so this should stop them from causing any mischief. You can also try wrapping a layer of tinfoil around the base of the trunk – most cats dislike the sensation of tinfoil in their claws, so they’ll be much less likely to attempt to climb the tree. Consider a wire gate around the tree to create a barrier to entry.  

The best way to stop your cat from jumping into the Christmas tree is to put the tree in a room your cat doesn’t often go in. If the tree is placed in an area the cat has access to, you can still try to mitigate the chance of them jumping on it. Avoid placing chairs, shelves, and tables near the tree, as these provide the perfect jumping off point. Try placing tin foil around the base of the tree, or a citrus pet repellent spray. Always remember to secure your tree as a precaution and avoid decorating the bottom third of the tree so your cat doesn’t have anything to grab onto and launch themselves into the top!  

Naturally occurring chemicals in real Christmas trees called ‘terpenes’ can be toxic to cats if ingested. If you cat is one to chew on branches, pine needles, or drink water from plant pots then it may be safer to choose a fake Christmas tree for your house. Pine needles can cause further issues in the intestines because they’re so sharp, and the standing water around a live Christmas tree can grow harmful bacteria leading to an upset stomach for a curious cat.  

Fake trees don’t contain terpenes, so the risk of poisoning is eliminated, and fake Christmas trees often have softer needles as well. However, if your cat does manage to eat your fake tree the plastic is indigestible and can cause a blockage.  

 Cats often tear up Christmas trees or try to find their way to the top simply because they find it fun. The shiny decorations can catch their eye, and the swinging action when they dangle from branches are a great toy to bat around. Cats also tend to seek high places to get a birds-eye view, so you may find them trying to make their way to the top of a tree to get a good look at everything.  

When decorating for Christmas with your cat in mind, opt for a fake tree or a Nordmann Fir Tree (known as ‘no needle drop’ trees) to reduce the risk of poisoning. Try to keep your cats and trees in separate rooms, and block off access to the tree where possible. Decorate only the top two thirds of the tree so there’s nothing to play with on the bottom branches, and make sure that your tree is secure by using a heavy stand and fishing line to ensure the tree is stable from the bottom to the very top.  

Check any plants or flowers you bring home are safe for cats, and decorations are kept off surfaces where they could fall and break. Tinsel can be a hazard if ingested, so aim to keep it secured up high, or refrain from using it.  

Christmas trees are an often-overlooked hazard of winter for cats. The trees themselves can fall if your cat climbs up them or can be a poisoning risk if ingested. Decorations such as tinsel, string, or easily broken baubles can also cause trouble if ingested and can even injure your cat if they play with them.  

Christmas cactus is one of the names given to the Schlumbergera family of cacti. They can come in a rainbow of colours including red, pink, white, yellow, purple or orange. Christmas cactus is not poisonous to cats and does not pose any threat to your pets. Like all plants though, to ensure you and your cats are happy, keep them out of reach and set back from the edges of tables or shelves.  

Largely feared by cat owners, the poinsettia plant has long believed to be highly toxic if ingested by your cat. In reality, although the poinsettia plant isn’t safe for your pet, if eaten, it often causes nothing more than minor stomach irritation. If you have decided to buy a poinsettia this year, keep it out of your cat’s reach and seek your veterinarian's advice if it is eaten.  

Some of the biggest dangers to your cat this Christmas are the berries found on holly and mistletoe. If your cat eats these it can result in severe gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and neurological issues. Just a couple of these tempting berries can cause symptoms such as low blood pressure and heart rate, breathing problems, or sudden collapsing. Always better to be safe than sorry, make sure you kiss your kitten far from the mistletoe this year.