How do I make the Xmas tree not a cat tree?

[karlyb]

With so many cats, I haven't had a tree for years. However I might try this one. In the December issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine (pg 165), there is a string-light tree that is hung on adhesive hooks close on the wall. Martha used white lights with cut-out white stars for decorations. I might use green lights instead and hope the cats don't climb the walls.

[GILL]

I put up a tree every year. But if you close there is a cup hook in the cieling where I put the tree. A bit of fishing line to the top of the tree (50lb test) and plastic and foam balls near the bottom and we are ready to go. All so no tinsel.
The kids love the silk covered foam balls, we are very careful too make sure that when they start to fray the silk is removed now they have a foam ball to play with for a while. So far no one has climbed a tree but we go though about 8-10 balls a year.

[Taz_Zoee]

Yes, I was going to put the fishing line toward the top of the tree and in the back where nobody would get to it.

Donna, I would not mind not putting up the tree, but we want to do pictures. I guess if it turns out to be too much of a problem I can just do the pictures and take down the tree.

I never had this problem with Taz. He was happy just to hide under the tree. That's where he spent most of his time when the tree was up. Then Paizly became the climber and I'm pretty sure Jax will be a terror as well. But you never know, maybe he'll surprise us? LOL

[astrid]

Fishing line! Seriously, anchor the tree to the wall, just tie fishing line around the trunk then run a piece over to the wall, where you can anchor in a discreet spot. Do at least two, three if you can, and that will make the tree much harder to tip over....

Yep, the fishing line DOES work!!! That's what we use even though Sophie has lost interest in climbing the christmas tree, but we do it "just in case"

[GILL]

The only problem we have had is I set the tree up in front of the bay window and I have a large scale train around it. They sometimes get ticked at the train for running through thier sleeping area. I have come home to a tree hanging about 2 foot off the floor and the train board tipped over. BUT no damage and no one is hurt.

[RICHARD]

Neuter the Christmas tree, it won't be so attractive to the cat?

[kitten645]

I don't put up a tree due to the kitties but MOSTLY due to putting up five trees in three stores, I'm pretty much done! I can attest to the fishing wire idea. That's how we secure tree's and wreaths at the store. Each thread holds about 30 lbs. I've never had any "cutting" issue as it's not that sharp. I do take out my breakable ornaments and hang them with ribbon across my sliding glass door at various levels. That's my decor.
Regarding pictures, come to my store and use our trees as background! LOL! Lord knows you wouldn't be the first!
C

[Taz_Zoee]

Regarding pictures, come to my store and use our trees as background! LOL! Lord knows you wouldn't be the first!
C

I was actually in your store last night! Beautiful trees!!
But I couldn't bring the "kids" with me to take pictures. LOL

[krazyaboutkatz]

I've given up putting up a Christmas tree. I had a very pretty artificial one and a small one as well. I tried putting up the small one and Storm tried to eat it. He even tried to eat my reindeer that was made out of the same stuff so I gave up. I'm sure that Alani & Blaze would try to climb a tree if I tried again. I think the only tree I can put up is a picture of one on my refrigerator.LOL Good luck with yours.

[RICHARD]

[mrspunkysmom]

Thanks for the laugh!

[Taz_Zoee]

LOL! Richard that was great!!

[Taz_Zoee]

Well, the tree is up!! It is anchored to the wall and I put only decorations that cannot shatter if they hit the hardwood floors. I am not very pleased with how it looks, but Bruce said it looks good. And his mom stopped by and liked it (of course she would say she did even if it was a Charlie Brown tree ).
I will post pictures later.
Oh! So far there hasn't been a kitty climber. They've both been around chewing on the branches. And Jax found the fishing line and tried pulling on it with his teeth. So we have to move the obstacle he used to get to it.
So far so good, but that doesn't mean we're safe! LOL

[catnapper]

Hee hee, the annual tree dilemma. I couldn't put up last year's fake tree because of Mystic (see photo) He bent the limbs too much and tore out a couple branches. So I took the old tree from work that has seen better days (so that if it happens again this year I won't fret)

All my ornaments are shatterproof. I had a small handfull of glass ones that broke, so the meaningful ones are locked away.

This year, I plan on doing a photo essay of what happens to a tree when cats get involved. As they de-decorate, I will not replace anything. It should be good for a laugh by Christmas!

[Taz_Zoee]

This year, I plan on doing a photo essay of what happens to a tree when cats get involved. As they de-decorate, I will not replace anything. It should be good for a laugh by Christmas!

That's what I was thinking of doing too! I took a picture before ornaments were put on, then after. And I thought I'd take a picture each week and see how it progresses. LOL We'll see if I actually do that though. But I do not have as many ornaments as you. I only had 24 small shatterproof bulbs. Then I have bows and other ornaments I got from kids when I worked in day care. All of the breakable ones are still in the boxes.

When I am sitting watching TV I can tell when one of the cats is "munching" on the tree. The ornaments start to jiggle. LOL So far neither one of the cats have decided to climb it. But it has only been less than 24 hours.