My cats were remarkably good with the tree this year. I set up the tree, and left it without decorating it for a couple of days. It got thoroughly inspected but not bothered. After we decorated it, the cats batted at a couple ornaments, I yelled at them and they were content with sitting under it. I was able to leave the dining room open when we were home, so the cats could enjoy the tree too. All my cats are adults > 2 years old; that probably helped.