Kitty Versus the Christmas Tree

Wow! A whole big tree with bright lights and dangling things too. It’s almost too much for even the very best cat to ignore.

Please play it safe and win the game with these Kitty Versus the Christmas Tree Safety Tips:

• Use a cord protector as a precaution in case kitty decides to starting chewing.

• For live trees, make sure your cat is unable to drink from the water reservoir. The water could contain pesticides, various chemicals, flame retardants and toxic sap.

• Clean up any dead pine needles lying around. They are sharp and may cause harm if swallowed. (As you can see, fake trees are safer for cats.)

• Keep all breakable ornaments near the top of the tree.

• Don’t use metal hooks. (My cat would try to eat them.) Tying ornaments to the tree with string will make them more secure and lessen the chance your cat will find a loose hook.

• Avoid tinsel.

• Make sure the tree is well anchored. Despite your best efforts, kitty could dive in!

• Watch out for ribbons. They can really mess with your cat’s intestines if swallowed. Don’t add these to gifts under the tree until the last minute. Also avoid using bows on the lower branches.

• If you’re not around, keep the cat in a separate room from the tree. While you’re at work, consider closing off the tree area to make sure your felines don’t get into trouble.

• If you’re going out of town for the holidays, take down your tree before you leave so the pet sitter doesn’t have to worry with it.

Do you have any other tree safety tips to add? 

Ornament image via stock.xchng. Cat in tree image via flickr. Cat looking at lights via flickr.