Cats + Tree = ???

[catmandu]

We no longer have a tree at the Found Cats Hotel.
That reminds me of the story of when Smokey our Cat knocked over the family Christmas Tree and destroyed a lot of ornaments that were irreplacable , family heirloom.
My Dear Mother was upset but dis not punish Smokey , she said that he was one of God's creations and did not know better.
I have never forgotten that.

[Freedom]

I am surprised, my cats never climb my tree, never have even back when we had a fresh cut live one. They DO love to play with the ornaments on the lower levels, bat those around and I find them all over the house in the morning, but other than that, no issues here.

Do you have toys out for the cats? Rub some catnip on the toys to make them more attractive.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I got tired of picking cats out of my Christmas tree years ago. I don't put one up any more.

[pomtzu]

I never had a cat/tree problem either when I had cats. They used to play with the ornaments on the bottom branches, so unbreakable ones always went there - just in case. I had to quit using tinsel tho, since my old Meezer would slurp it up like spaghetti. Luckily - he passed it tho. YUK!

My son's cats never bother the tree much except for playing with the decorations toward the bottom like my cats did. However, they like to nest in the tree skirt all scrunched and balled up to suit themselves. I could straighten the skirt out a dozen times each day - and they would rearrange it that many times too.

I can't imagine NOT having a tree - even if it was a big attraction to the felines.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I can't imagine NOT having a tree - even if it was a big attraction to the felines.

I really don't miss having one. It's just me and the cats now and I find Christmas still comes without one. Besides, it was sooooo depressing taking it down every year.

[pomtzu]

I really don't miss having one. It's just me and the cats now and I find Christmas still comes without one. Besides, it was sooooo depressing taking it down every year.

How about a small table top lighted ceramic tree? That might work. No decorating required and the cats can't climb it.

Years ago my departed MIL took some pottery classes, and for Christmas that year, all the kids and their spouses got a beautiful ceramic tree. I still have it (but not the spouse!!) and put it up in the "village" I set up on the sofa table. It has become tradition, and if I say I'm not going to bother setting it up, I get all kinds of grief from my son and grandkids. Soooooooo - it always goes up!

[krazyaboutkatz]

I don't know what to suggest. I haven't put a tree up since I've had cats. I did try to put a small one up which was fake but my RB Storm decided that the tree tasted good so he'd munch on the branches. I also tried putting up other decorations but unless I put them up very high, one of the cats would get to it and play with it. I do have a small white tree that lights up which I keep up high in my bedroom. So far so good with this one.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

How about a small table top lighted ceramic tree? That might work. No decorating required and the cats can't climb it.

Years ago my departed MIL took some pottery classes, and for Christmas that year, all the kids and their spouses got a beautiful ceramic tree. I still have it (but not the spouse!!) and put it up in the "village" I set up on the sofa table. It has become tradition, and if I say I'm not going to bother setting it up, I get all kinds of grief from my son and grandkids. Soooooooo - it always goes up!

I do have a ceramic one. Not good around my monsters. They break everything. I also have a small white fiber optic one. You put battries in the base and the branches change color. It is beautiful. For some reason, the last time I put it up, I took one look at it and burst into tears. I'd rather not have one.

[maerlyn]

I really don't miss having one. It's just me and the cats now and I find Christmas still comes without one. Besides, it was sooooo depressing taking it down every year.

I'm with you. The cats don't seem to enjoy it - although when they were kittens, that was different. Just means a lot of trips up/down cellar steps for my arthritic knees - too much work for no reward. Besides, winter is my favorite season, and the holidays just cut into too much; by the time the holidays are over, so is much of winter.

[Jessika]

Do you have toys out for the cats? Rub some catnip on the toys to make them more attractive.

Oh, do we have toys... if you only saw my condo... I'm pretty sure the cats have more toys than the dog does at this point... and trust me, all are generously rubbed down with catnip. And I do rotate them so they don't get "bored".

They completely ignore the tree while we're awake/at home... the only time they mess with it is when we're gone or asleep. We even left out a super big box for them to play in at night hoping it would be more interesting than trying to break into the room with the tree... no dice.

Granted, I did come home from work today, door was open, and the tree APPEARS to be untouched...

It wouldn't be so bad if I had a real tree. This fake one has wire branches that just can not support them climbing on them.

If the cats are causing a huge problem, the only thing I could suggest is to not put it up. I know that's sad, but it would make things less stressful for everyone. Maybe like others suggested, get a small one and put it up on something where the cats do not have a way of getting to it.

They can get on top of anything in this condo Nowhere is safe

[krazyaboutkatz]

Maybe next year you could put a hook in your ceiling and then hang a small tree from that. That is if you have high ceilings.