How to Keep Cats Away from Christmas Trees, According to Experts

As soon as your Christmas decorations go up, it begins! We're talking about the never ending battle between you and your cat when it comes to keeping them out of the Christmas tree. You can't blame them—it's like a giant, sparkling playground for your feline friend. Shiny ornaments to swat, branches to climb, and that oh-so-tempting tinsel to chew on.

But if the thought of your kitty breaching those branches makes you feel more frazzled than festive, we've got tips on how to keep your curious kitty away from the Christmas tree. We spoke to certified feline behavior coach Jennifer Van de Kieft and cat expert for Best Friends Animal Society Samantha Bell to unwrap some clever, cat-proofing tricks that will keep your decorations secure and your kitty safe—because they deserve just as much Christmas cheer as you do.

Van de Kieft says, "Please don’t think your cat is naughty or bad when they want to interact with your Christmas tree. They’re truly just doing what their instincts tell them to do." With that, she explains, "I do not recommend aversives for training as it can damage your relationship with your cat and affect their emotional health... It's better not to have a Christmas tree if using aversives is the only way to keep it safe."

But if you're willing to try, there are ways in which both you and your cat can enjoy the season without any shattered ornaments, toppled trees, or ending up on Santa Paws' naughty list. Keep reading to find out how.

how to keep cats out of a christmas tree

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What attracts cats to Christmas trees?

Of course your kitty will be intrigued by a Christmas tree! According to Van de Kieft, "Cats are attracted to novelty, so bringing something new inside is always interesting and worth checking out for most cats. Then you've got the height factor. In the wild, cats would be climbing trees, so climbing your Christmas tree is not an exception. It seems like a normal thing to do from your cat's perspective."

After all, you buy them their own climbing trees to put around the house—and Christmas trees are just a bigger, more sparkly versions. Bell adds, "On top of that, we add small, dangling ornaments to the tree that look like toys to a cat. We give the tree a lot of attention when it’s up. It’s often the focal point of a social room, something which friendly cats want to be a part of."

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Are Christmas trees toxic to cats?

Thankfully, real Christmas trees don't make the list of plants that are toxic to cats. That said, you'll still want to take precautions to keep your fur baby safe. While fir, spruce, and pine trees are generally non-toxic to cats, their needles can cause oral irritation and gastrointestinal upset when consumed. Furthermore, if you add fertilizer or preservatives to the water your tree sits in, drinking this could make them ill.

As for artificial trees, they're pretty safe to keep around your cat, but are not completely risk-free. If your cat happens to take a chunk out of one, this could lead to choking or an obstruction in your cat's digestive tract. Additionally, flocking (or imitation snow) used on faux trees can be mildly toxic to cats. Bell also notes, "Your cat could become injured if the tree falls over on them."

You'll also want to be sure your furry pal doesn't get into any breakable ornaments or light strings as these can cause choking hazards, cut their paws, or even lead to electrical burns. Jennifer warns, "If your cat chews things, getting a tree may be a hazard. Decorations and lights may be other hazards. My first cat chewed on holiday lights and got a piece stuck inside his mouth, which the veterinarian removed. I got rid of the lights." Bell's advice: "Put a dummy strand of lights on the bottom of your tree (not plugged in) in case they chew it."

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How can you keep cats away from Christmas trees?

Fortunately, there are ways to keep your Christmas tree up through the holiday season without losing your sanity—or worrying about your feline friend's safety. According to Bell, "This is a case where we need to modify our home to accommodate our cat’s needs. Trying to keep a cat away from something tailor made for their enrichment is almost impossible." So, here are some ways you can do just that!

Keep your Christmas tree bare.

Since cats are sensitive to changes in their environment, you can start by slowly introducing them to this new décor. Naturally, they'll want to explore this fun new object, and you don't need to discourage them. If you leave your Christmas tree bare for a few days, this gives them plenty of time to sniff, climb, and scratch without damaging any of your special ornaments. Soon, they'll likely be used to it and may even lose interest altogether. If your cat is still intrigued once the ornaments go up, you can consider only decorating the top half of the tree.

Use cat-friendly ornaments.

At the very least, you can keep your most breakable décor out of paw's reach. Along with that, you can keep your glass ornaments put away and instead, hang cat-friendly ornaments that your kitty can comfortably paw at through the season. Options include rolled paper balls, foil balls, or even cat toys.

Keep in mind that real poinsettia decorations are toxic to your kitty and that sharp hooks and edible items like candy canes and cinnamon sticks should be kept out of reach, too. Snow globes may also contain potentially dangerous substances. Bell also states that you should never use long strands of tinsel around cats because, "tinsel can perforate the intestines if ingested (this is a very expensive lifesaving surgery)."

Try Christmas tree alternatives.

To give your kitty something else to focus on, you can also give them acceptable alternatives. Van de Kieft says, "If it's vertical space they crave, ensure they have adequate other high spots in the room with the tree such as a cat tree, window seats or shelving." That way, they can still satisfy their desire to climb and scratch without doing so to your decorations. If you place these play structures in the same room as the tree (but away from the tree), hopefully it will draw their attention elsewhere.

You can also try unique alternatives to your own Christmas tree! Van de Kieft adds, "When my cats were young, I got a cardboard cutout tree, which I added small lights to. As they got older, I was able to add a small fake tree... Small Christmas trees may be less attractive and easier to protect." You can also try tabletop trees that can be placed out of reach, wall decal trees that don't even need to be decorated, and felt trees that you don't have to worry about your cat ruining.

Give your cat their own Christmas tree.

If you don't want to give up your towering tannenbaum, you can just give your kitty their own! Bell says, "I do this every year and I’m telling you it works! The science behind this: You can’t ask a cat to stop performing an instinctive behavior without offering a different way to satisfy that instinct, one that also works for you."

Here's how you can do it: Buy a cheap tree (or use an old one), then set it up near your big family tree. You can decorate it with cat trees instead of ornaments and lure them to it with treats and wand toys. And be sure to reward them when they play with it! According to Bell, "Cats are so motivated by attention. Knowing this, completely ignore them when they interact with your tree, and then give them lot of positive attention when they interact with their tree."

A few other tips from Bell: place the tree conveniently in your cat's walkway, hold firm and give your cat a few days to figure out that they will only get attention when interacting with their own tree, and last, don't punish them. "If you punish a cat, they will either see it as attention, which they like, or it will cause them to distrust you. It simply will not get you the result you want."

Choose the right location for your tree.

You'll also want to be strategic about where you set up your tree. Some spots are more alluring to your curious kitty than others! Van de Kieft's advice: "Keep the tree away from furniture that your cat can climb and easily access the tree. This will make it harder for the cat to access the higher branches." If your cat has a beloved launch zone, steer clear of that area, too.

If you happen to have a room that is already closed off to your kitty, it's a good idea to place your tree there. After all, it’s harder for them to climb a Christmas tree that they don't have any access to. And for those who don't mind getting a little funky with their festiveness, you can even try the upside-down Christmas tree trend. A tree that hangs high from the ceiling is certainly harder for your cat to reach.

Put a barrier around your Christmas tree.

For those feline friends who have access to all areas of the house, sometimes a barrier is the best bet. A pet gate or play pen both make for a good physical fence. Just be sure the one you go with has vertical bars or grid patterns as horizontal ones are easier for kitties to climb. You can even buy or make decorative Christmas tree fences that look like they belong at The North Pole! Though less of a barrier and more fun for your feline, some cat owners even replace their tree skirts with cat bed tunnels.

Use citrus spray on your Christmas tree.

When all else fails, natural deterrents can also keep your furry friend away from the fir. According to Van de Kieft, "You can make the tree less attractive by adding a non-toxic citrus smell which many cats do not like. They make bitter sprays to deter cats." Since most kitties can't stand the smell of citrus, spritzing some at the base of your tree should keep their curiosity at bay. But if you go this route, make sure you use a pet-safe spray. Essential oils and other spices often used to ward away cats aren't actually cat-safe and can cause them to get sick.

Fortunately, cat-proofing your Christmas tree can lead to a whole month of silent nights. And now that they've officially made the nice list (let's be honest, they were already on it!), be sure to treat your furry friend to some of the best cat toys, too.