We have always put a tree up although ours is fake haha. My pets have never bothered much with it, EXCEPT the maltie. Holy crap, she once tugged one ornament and the entire tree came down on top of her. Picture a 7 year old shaking presents under the tree and an annoying white fluffbutt knocking the tree down the opposite way! My mom still says I had something to do with it.. She NEVER touched ornaments again lol. Her new thing? Peeing on the tree skirt, how lovely.