How to have a Christmas tree with a devil-cat that destroys...everything???

[Chaser]

Hi All!

Geez, I go off and get married and come back to a totally different site.... Anyway, I will post a thread with wedding pics later on when I get home.

I'm already getting the holiday decorating itch...probably because we've never had a nice, large space like we do now. Never had the room for a tree before so it was a non-issue, but this year I desperately want to put up a tree for the first time. My concern is Rupert....

He is super smart and sneaky. Loves to climb. Is fat. Well, not literaly, but he is a big cat! He's also about as graceful as an elephant. And he noms everything in sight as if he's a dog!

How on earth can I safely put a tree up with him around??? Our house is totally open concept, so closing off a room is impossible. No idea how to pull this off. Even if I don't put up breakable ornaments, I'm still worried about him nomming the light wires or pulling the whole thing over on himself while he's doing acrobatics in the top branches.

Any advice??? He's not understimulated....has tonnes of toys that he plays with all the time, both on his own and with me.

It seems like a big risk, but I won't spend the next 15+ years not having a tree because of him! How do others with crazy cats manage this?

[BenMax]

Chaser - first congrats.

As to your X-mas tree situation...well I no longer have one.. I could not figure a way to string it up to stay up when the cats and dogs decided to climb it....

[Dog Dancer]

Congrats on the wedding.

As for your tree issue, well it can be done. I have had a tree come down on child and dog (and all but the tree survived). Plastic ornaments are a must, and no tinsel at all. I used beads. (We had two cats and two dogs and one non-fur kid.) We would tie one or two ropes high in the tree and anchor those ropes to the walls so that the tree would not fall. There is probably no real way to stop the cat from eating electric lights, so you may even have to forgo those for a couple years to see how he does. He may have no interest at all. My cats did well, they loved the ornaments, but never damaged the lights or tree itself. I'm guessing that you could probably buy a spray to discourage the cat, but not sure what it would be. Good luck with it whatever you decide.

[luckypenny]

Welcome back Chaser! Looking forward to your wedding photos .

Originally Posted by Dog Dancer

I'm guessing that you could probably buy a spray to discourage the cat, but not sure what it would be.

Something like Scat might help ? You'd have to place a few strategically around the tree though depending on how large it will be.

[hazelrunpack]

I have a friend who anchors the tree to the wall using two small hooks and some monofilament. You have to be very careful when taking down the monofilament and dispose of it properly.

Also, I've found wooden hand-painted ornaments to be pretty durable. I bought some kits and painted my own using non-toxic craft paints. The flat ones seem to hold less interest for the dogs...not sure if cats would feel the same.

[Chaser]

Thank you for the ideas! Scat spray might do the trick...

Not worried about the dogs at all...other than accounting for their tail wagging, their behaviour around Christmas trees is 100%. But Rupert...well...he'll be good for a month or so and then he's swinging from the rafters again, so to speak.