Why do cats attract Christmas trees and how can you prevent them from damaging them?

We explain everything you need to know to have a safe Christmas with your feline friend.

ByLaura Natalia Bohórquez Roncancio

Christmas: the time of year when families get together, friends reunite, and, apparently, cats are in a constant struggle with the tree that is usually waiting for the gifts on December 24th.

Cats are very curious animals. They are easily distracted because they are capable of marveling at bright and colorful objects that stimulate their predatory instincts. In fact, as Mike Delgado, a postdoctoral fellow at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, told the American magazine ‘Inverse’, “when cats are in familiar territory, they often want to investigate something new. The tree smells like the outdoors, so there’s plenty to explore.”

Basically, the decorations can become a huge amusement park for these intrepid animals. However, even though they might look very cute and photogenic, in the end, this can be dangerous for both your pet and those around it

A Dangerous Indulgence This activity, which can be quite fun for your cat, can end in tragedy if nothing is done about it. First of all, it's important to clarify that most of the dangers associated with Christmas trees come from the decorations on them, not the tree itself, as long as it's artificial. According to the British organization Blue Cross, the oils produced by some real Christmas trees are also mildly toxic if ingested and can cause minor irritation to a pet's mouth and stomach. It's worth noting that this charity is recognized in England for its work with abandoned pets or those in serious health situations.

Secondly, lights and other decorations that plug into a wall outlet pose a fire and electric shock hazard. Those wires strung across the tree are very attractive to cats, as they generally enjoy chewing on the rubber coating. On the other hand, there's the latent risk of them stepping on a sharp point or nail from the Christmas decorations.

These could become embedded in their palate or tongue, or in the worst-case scenario, they could choke if swallowed. Even if this doesn't happen, but they still eat an ornament or similar object, they could experience gastrointestinal discomfort and, in severe cases, an internal puncture or blockage requiring emergency surgery.

But don't worry, prevention is the best solution, and that's why we're bringing you some tips to keep your cat safe during the holidays.

Secure your tree.

Cats love to jump in trees, play inside them, and dart among the branches. For this reason, it's recommended to secure your cat tree to prevent it from falling and causing an accident. There are several options for doing this. For example, the non-profit organization PETA says on its official website that you can attach it to the wall with wire. According to them, you can secure the top and bottom of the tree to the wall. However, there's an even more practical way to do it. Blue Cross emphasizes that having good support at the base can help prevent tipping. This can be done by buying a commercially available stand—which are wide bases with several support legs—or by placing something very heavy on top of it to prevent it from moving.

Spray the tree with citrus scents. Cats have very defined olfactory preferences because this sense is much more developed compared to humans. In a study conducted by the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Oregon, Dr. Alexandra Behnke highlights that several academic studies have demonstrated that smell plays an important role in the development and social behavior of cats due to their sensitivity; they have almost forty times more odor-sensitive cells than the human nose.

This would somewhat explain why they don't tolerate citrus scents. Because they are strong and pungent, cats tend to avoid them. Therefore, one technique to keep your pet away from the Christmas tree is to spray it with lemon or orange essential oils.

However, you must be very careful, as sprays can cause respiratory irritation in sensitive cats, such as those with asthma. It's also important to reapply regularly. Don't be lulled into a false sense of security after just one application.

Organize and protect the cords.

If you use lights, be sure to cover the exposed wires leading to the tree with plastic or cardboard tubing. Ideally, they shouldn't have easy access to electrical outlets or the tangles of wires that are often placed against the wall. If your cat chews on a cord, it could not only cause a short circuit, but it could also injure itself on broken glass or burn itself from the heat of the bulbs. In addition, it's recommended that both the lights and decorations be placed at the top of the tree. As mentioned earlier, a Christmas tree is practically a giant toy. Seeing colorful baubles and garlands hanging from it can be very tempting.

It's important to keep these objects out of reach of playful paws at all times, even when it's time to put out and hand out gifts. On special days or nights, it's best to be there, keeping a watchful eye on what your feline friend might do. 'Defend' the tree It might sound funny, but by protecting your tree, you could also be saving your cat. One trick you can find online is to decorate or surround the tree with aluminum foil. The sensation this material causes on felines' paws is uncomfortable, and they also dislike the sound of aluminum foil in general, so they tend to avoid it.

However, if making a silver skirt isn't your thing, you can also choose to set up the tree away from tables, chairs, or other supports that could help your cat climb higher. In addition, the idea of ​​building a fence around the tree has become popular in recent years, a trend you can use to keep your cat away. This involves creating a sort of fort or circle at the base, with the intention of putting things inside. Even so, it could work to create a barrier around the tree. Training is essential. Despite all this, remember that training your cat could save you from scares and tragedies. Veterinarian Carlos Rodríguez, author of the book 'The Cat Whisperer,' recommends that when training a pet, the training should be based on positive reinforcement. Most cats respond well to rewards. These can be a treat, special wet food, petting, verbal praise, brushing, playing with their favorite toys, etc. Use this to your advantage and reward the behavior you want from your cat. You can do this in several ways. The simplest thing is that, if you see your cat about to climb the tree or approach it, lure it away, play somewhere else, and reward it for it.

LEARN MORE