How to stop cat destroying christmas tree
Christmas is a time of happiness and joy for many people. Unfortunately, for some people, their cat can ruin the holiday. A cat may be attracted to the tree because of the smell of the fresh pine needles, and may start to scratch and claw at the tree. This can damage the tree, and may even cause the tree to fall over. If you're having trouble keeping your cat from destroying your Christmas tree, here are some tips.
First, make sure your cat is well-fed and has plenty of toys to play with. A bored cat may be more likely to scratch or claw at furniture or other objects.
Second, keep your cat away from the tree during the holiday season. If you can't keep your cat away from the tree, try to keep him confined to a specific area of the house, such as a room with a tree.
Finally, if your cat is destructive towards your tree, try to get him a new tree. A new tree will likely be more appealing to him, and he may not be as likely to damage it.
It's the season's biggest and most chaotic battle. Who will triumph this year, your cats or your holiday spirit?
Perhaps it's because we're all, human and otherwise, on our last good nerve this year. In the weeks since Thanksgiving, there has been a noticeable increase in the news and on social media about how to keep our cats from destroying everything in their paths as we approach the end of 2022. My Reddit feed is suddenly flooded with images of brightly decorated trees surrounded by high-walled fencing, and defiant-looking kittens triumphantly burrowed in pine branches, broken glass strewn at their furry feet. My friends are telling me about their cats trying to eat things they shouldn't. In my building, I can hear the wailing of neighbors' cats, who are terrified of the constant stream of doorbells and visitors.
We'd all like to have a season that's more ho-ho-ho than hairball. So, how do we get through this season while keeping everyone's sanity and decorations intact?
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First, we need to get inside our cats' heads. Our bond with cats is inextricably linked to our humanity. Cats have been knocking things off our tables and shredding our belongings since the dawn of civilization, forever asserting their territoriality by acting "more like demanding roommates than pets," as Salon's Troy Farah recently wrote."It's safe to assume that five minutes after the first family lit the first menorah or placed the first candles in the first tree, a cat appeared and attempted to burn down the entire village.".
If your cat is more demanding than usual this time of year, it's because disruption stresses them out — just as it does humans. As the creator of Floofmania. You may have noticed that when you change your decor or move your furniture, they become confused and sometimes upset. What's worse is bringing a tree into your living room (which the cat is bound to find strange)."
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But it's not just strange; it's also fascinating — and a little crazy.
"There are a lot of really interesting outdoor smells from a Christmas tree," says Mikel Maria Delgado, PhD, a Sacramento animal behaviorist and cat behavior consultant. "It's probably the most interesting thing for many cats that they can climb in the house, because not enough people provide cat climbing structures.". So you're up against something exciting that smells good, can be climbed, has outdoor odors, and is novel."
Patrik Holmboe, head veterinarian at Cooper Pet Care, a Dutch veterinary telemedicine provider, agrees. "Outdoors, cats can express a wide range of natural behaviors.". "This includes climbing trees and structures, as well as hunting and stalking prey," he explains. "Many owners simply do not have the time to devote to providing their cat with adequate mental stimulation.". A toy mouse lying out in the open doesn't cut it for a cat that has evolved to chase mice and other small creatures. Overall, it is safe to say that many indoor cats are bored. Now enters the Christmas tree. The house has suddenly gained a new and exciting structure. This is without even considering the ornaments. There is now an influx of new dangling, shiny, and fun things to explore and play with thanks to the ornaments."Can you really blame your cat for going insane?
However, all of those fascinating new elements can be frustratingly fragile and hazardous to your pet. Here are some things to keep an eye out for:.
Edible risks
"Avoid having amaryllis, daffodils, hyacinths, iris, mistletoe, holly, and all kinds of lilies, because these are all dangerous to your cats," says Owen Redford, founder of Things To Do. Poinsettias are less dangerous, but they can cause vomiting and upset stomach in cats." However, be aware of less obvious threats to their delicate systems as well.". "Even if your friends and family offer only cat-safe foods, excessive ingestion of food can easily turn into gastrointestinal issues," says Paola Cuevas, a veterinarian and behaviorist with Excited Cats. It is critical that everyone knows and understands that feeding the cats from their plate endangers their health. It is safer to make a clear rule and announcement that the cat or dog should not be fed by anyone, emphasizing that bones and leftovers should also not be fed."
Decorations
Cuevas also recommends being aware of your surroundings with common sense. "Avoid unprotected cords and shiny lights," she advises, "as well as tinsel, crystal or glass decorations such as spheres, candles, or other fire hazards, unattended foods or chocolates.". "Make certain that any decoration or ornament used is safe for your cat and does not pose a choking or injury risk.". After you've finished opening gifts, make sure there's no leftover wrapping paper or ribbons."If your cat is particularly determined to attack the tree, she recommends "barricading the tree with chicken wire or clear panels to make it unreachable for your cat.". Another option is to use only cat-safe decorations, such as citrus peels, rather than shiny tinsel strands, which are extremely dangerous to cats."
Never underestimate the power of distraction. "If you don't provide your cat with things to climb, scratch, and play with all year long, you should start there," says Mikel Maria Delgado. If you have a cat tree, your cat will be using it on a regular basis, so the holiday tree will not be as exciting."Then she adds, "There are some precautions you should take with a holiday tree.". It's a good idea to secure it to the wall so your cat doesn't knock it over. Limit the type of decorations you use — nothing breakable, nothing that could injure your cat, and keep in mind anything that they could swallow and become ill from eating. Tinsel can be problematic. Strings can be problematic. Cover the tree's base so they can't drink the tree's water."
However, you must also allow a cat to be a cat. "A lot of it comes down to making sure your cat has other fun things in their environment that they can get praise and attention for using," Delgado says. "When they're climbing their cat tree, give them treats and pay attention to them.". Put it in the window so they can sit in the sun or gaze out the window at the birds. You want to make what you want them to do more exciting and rewarding than what you don't want them to do."
Stress
Finally, be aware of your cat's moods. Chyrle Bonk, a veterinarian with the Hepper pet furniture company,. To reduce stress, make sure their hiding places have water and a comfortable bed. You should also relocate their food bowl and litter box if they don't already have them there."
And be patient. Your cats may stare at you with the steely intensity of master criminals, but they're not actively trying to make your life difficult here. "Your cat has a brain the size of a shelled walnut," Mikel Maria Delgado points out. "They're not thinking, 'If I jump up on that and knock it over, it might break,'" says one."Oh, that looks fun and exciting," they say. I'm tempted to leap up there.' You're the grown-up. It is your responsibility to ensure the safety of the environment."
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