Avoiding a Christmas Cat Disaster: Trees & Other Safety Hazards

Hi, I’m Amanda! Read my introduction to learn more about me and Blue, my fluffy fire point Himalayan-Persian cat.

Cats and Christmas. Is it possible for both things to exist in harmony? Festive decor strewn about while cats fight the natural urges of their curiosity. When the holidays roll around, it’s true that cats are limited in the number of activities they get to participate in. No pictures with Santa at the mall. I’m sure some people brave this with their felines but my gut tells me not many. No walks around the neighborhood taking in the Christmas lights and lawn decorations. Many probably don’t make it into the holiday card either. Sprucing up our home is the simplest way of sharing a slice of Noel with Blue, and luckily, she seems to be completely content with the Christmas spirit we create at home.

Blue is not as curious about Christmas as some other cats, but there are a few things that she likes to explore. These situations happen in our house, and I’ll tell you how we avoid potential Christmas cat disasters.

The Tree

Blue had an immediate obsession with Christmas trees. We brought her home in early December, so this is the first rendition of a “cat tree” that she experienced. Every morning we had more than a few decorations to place back on the tree, each time reaching a little higher than the day before.

This fun game we had going only lasted a short while. Call me a Grinch, but I retire everything Christmas come December 26. Another year of waiting until she is reunited with her beloved tree. On the flip side, our tree goes up at the beginning of November, and so does the temptation. Perched close by, she watches as we assemble the tree, wrap the lights, and add the ornaments. Some are irresistibly sparkly and others are shiny and equally as enticing. The bulbs don’t intrigue Blue as much as they once did, though. Imagine her scaling the tree now! Not sure our tree could support such a presence batting and climbing its limbs.

Safety Hazards

The part of the tree she enjoys the most now are the branches themselves. She'll get her front paws into the first level and gnaw away. Potential disaster one: those little plastic sprigs are certainly not required in a cat's diet, nor do they seem good for the digestive tract.

Number two: there is an excessive amount of Christmas balls on the loose. Luckily, if we are not hanging out in this space, neither is she, so both are easily avoidable. A sharp clap is all it takes to pull her focus out of the tree if she does happen to be up to her neck in faux pine.  Although the placement is due to practicality and not Blue’s habits, having our spruce in the den keeps our velcro kitty out of it. Out of sight, out of mind?

Other than the tree, we keep our Christmas decor to a minimum. To us, it’s the only holiday fixture we need. The rest is about togetherness, which means avoiding disasters is fairly easy. Have you experienced any Christmas mishaps involving your cat?