Best Ways to Keep Your Cat Out of Your Louisiana Christmas Tree

Our pets add so much to our lives, often becoming like actual members of our family.  Some may say you're either a dog person or a cat person, but whichever you prefer, there are joys and challenges to both.

Dog lovers know all too well the frustrations of house training or finding your remote control chewed up beyond recognition.  Cat fanciers can relate to finding dead "presents" in the kitchen brought to them by proud felines.

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Another challenge cat owners might face, especially this time of the year, is trying to keep Mittens or little Simba out of and away from the Christmas tree. But before you set up fencing around your Tannenbaum, there are a few tricks you might want to try first.

A Few Simple Tricks to Keep Cats Away from Your Christmas Tree

• Secure the tree: Use a heavy-duty tree stand and anchor the tree to the wall or ceiling with fishing line and an eye bolt. You can also secure the tree from the middle and top.  

• Use scent deterrents: Cats have a strong sense of smell, so you can use diluted vinegar, cat deterrent sprays, or citrus scents to keep them away. You can wrap the tree trunk in foil or place orange or lemon peels around the base.  

• Avoid tinsel: Tinsel is a choking hazard and cats will likely want to play with it.  

• Choose a slimmer tree: A tall and skinny tree, also known as a "toothpick tree", is less stable and may not be as attractive to cats.  

• Choose the right location: Pick a room that you can close off from your pets.  

• Distract your cat: If your cat does try to explore the tree, quietly distract them with a toy.  

• Add jingle bells: Jingle bells can deter your cat and alert you if they get on the tree

Cats Don't Like Particular Scents

Another idea is to attach felt furniture pads infused with essential oils, or even Vick's vapor rub to lower hanging ornamants.  But not just any essential oils.  You want to make sure you use a 'cat-friendly' oil like citrus or eucalyptus.

Our pets bring so much joy into our lives it's up to us to incorporate them into our lives that enhance our lives, and theirs.