Christmas tree: how to prevent your cat from destroying it?

 If you need proof of the damage that tiny cats can cause, don't delay in looking at our selection of photographs and videos of Instagram's star cats in the midst of a tangle with Christmas trees. To avoid the small mischief or the biggest damage, follow our 6 tips to anticipate the clumsiness of your four-legged friend.

How to choose your tree

Synthetic or natural? Both will be prey to your feline. There is a good chance that he will try to climb it or eat its branches. For a real fir tree, study carefully, at the time of purchase, the appearance of the needles, and keep in mind that they are likely to be ingested by your pet. So try to choose a tree that sheds its needles very little, such as the Nordmann fir. Of course, a synthetic tree has the advantage of not losing its needles, but the fibers used can be toxic for your pet.

Focus on stability

It is essential that your tree be stable. Rather than a log of wood that may not withstand the weight of your cat, opt for heavier legs. If the umbrella stand works well with small trees whose trunk is not too big, it is not necessarily the case for larger trees. In this case, you can place it in a container filled with earth or sand, which you should cover (if you don't want to find your living room transformed into a sandbox). A stable tree reduces the risk of falls, and this applies to both pets and young children.

Use a repellent

Certain odors are off-putting to our feline friends. Get a container with a spray nozzle and spray your tree (before decorating) with citronella essential oil, or citrus juices such as lemon or orange. These smells bother most cats and will make them not want to climb your tree.

Decorate your tree accordingly

Our advice: wait a few days before decorating your tree. Especially if your cat is young, it may take some time to adjust. During these few days, try to be firm and prevent him from climbing or playing with the branches. When he starts to get used to it, you can start decorating it.

Avoid glass decorations as much as possible (which could break and hurt your pet or a child) or decorations that are too small (risk of ingestion). Try to lighten the lowest area of your tree, which would be at your pet's eye level and represent a terrible temptation.

Be careful with tinsel

Christmas lights are a real risk for your pet. Often shiny and fluffy, they are very attractive and even appetizing! Your pet may try to chew them and swallow them, which can cause suffocation.

As for the electric garlands, don't forget to secure the electrical outlets, but also not to position them too low in your tree.

Don't leave them unattended

Don't look for trouble, and keep an eye on your hairball! Especially at night, close the room where the tree is located, so as not to have any unpleasant surprises when you wake up.