Skip to main content

Video: This is everything that can go wrong with your cat and your Christmas tree

Here's how to cat proof your Christmas tree (plus watch what happens when you don't)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year — for cats. Our furry felines love the Christmas season because it comes with lots of new smells and ornaments to play with. Of course, when your kitty decides her new favorite toy is your holiday decorations, you might be in for a bit of trouble. This video perfectly sums up everything that can go wrong when your cat discovers the Christmas tree.

@funnyanimals670

Cats and chrismas trees#cat #pet #christmas #marrychristmas

♬ original sound – Funny pets ??❤️

Compilation videos frequently go viral on TikTok and this one, entitled Cats and Christmas trees, is sure to delight since it features the internet’s favorite creatures. You get to witness a series of cats attacking, inspecting, and attempting to climb their Christmas trees. Predictably, many of the evergreens fall over onto the unsuspecting house cats. That certainly doesn’t stop them from trying again though.

Recommended Videos

Top comment by Nils perfectly summed up the video with, “Cats and Christmas trees! Never gets old, unless it’s your cat and your tree!” peanutsonic43 got into the minds of the cats and said, “While it may be annoying for us, imagine how magical Christmas is for cats. Suddenly everything is colorful and sparkly and fun to play with.” If you’re looking for some cat-proofing tips, follow Jayden’s advice, “My cat is terrified of gnomes so we surrounded our tree with them so she won’t jump on it.” Genius.

A cat sits beneath a Christmas tree on top of a present
Karolina Grabowska / Pexels

How to keep cats out of the Christmas tree

In order to prevent your animal from getting to the tree, you need to understand why she tries to go after it in the first place. There are three main reasons that your tree is irresistible to your mouser:

  • It smells interesting and may retain some outdoorsy scents for her powerful nose
  • The branches are fun to climb, and the bark makes an excellent scratching post
  • Your shiny ornaments attract her attention and beg to be played with

With that in mind, you’ll need to eliminate these enticements in order to create a cat-proof Christmas tree. Some owners find that a fake tree goes a long way to keeping the pets away, especially one designed to be difficult to climb. Additionally, you can put ornaments higher up or stick with ones that don’t grab her attention. While any of these tricks might work, some four-leggers are persistent, and you may have to give up and put the tree in a room with a door. That way, you can shut the tree away when you aren’t keeping your eye on your cat.

Unfortunately, Christmas can be a dangerous times for pets, so as much as we enjoy watching these videos, it is necessary to take certain precautions to protect your animals. But assuming you have everything as safe as can be, you might as well set up a camera to catch the action, just in case.

Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
How to get a cat to sleep all night so they stop waking you up
Many cats don't naturally sleep through the night, so you may have to train them to
Orange cat in a white fleece bed

You love your cat. If you could spend all day with them, you would. However, you don’t want to spend all night listening to them meow at your feet or batting items off your shelves.

It’s human nature to want to sleep at night — literally. Your natural circadian rhythm tells your body and mind to sleep when it’s dark out. Your feline friends don't follow this pattern, though. Cats are crepuscular, meaning they're most alert at dawn and dusk, so they are naturally more rambunctious at nighttime.

Read more
Can cats eat cranberries? Read this before your holiday meals
Here's what to know about cranberries and cats
White and gray cat with long hair looking up at a person

Cranberry sauce straight from the can is the subject of many memes and polarizing Thanksgiving table food fights: Is homemade cranberry sauce better than the store-bought, ribbed side dish?

Beyond the sauce, cranberries are often used as a garnish in baked dishes like bread and consumed whole for a nutrient-dense snack. However, can cats eat cranberries? What about cranberry sauce? Though research is conflicting, cranberry juice is sometimes used to help people with UTIs. What's the deal with cranberry juice, UTIs, and cats?

Read more
Do’s and don’ts: How to trim cat nails safely and successfully
Not sure how to trim your cat's nails? We've got everything you need to know
Person holding a black and white cat for a nail trim

It's not always a pleasant experience, but trimming your cat's nails is an essential element of caring for your furry friend. There are a ton of benefits to cutting down those claws — both for you and for your kitty. For example, trims help prevent nails from curling inward and digging into your cat's sensitive paw pads and prevent them from getting snagged on items.

A good shorten can also, admittedly, help protect your furniture, rugs, and clothes, too. We're going to walk through how to trim cat nails in a safe and effective way, and we'll offer you some quick do's and don'ts while we're at it. With our tips, you can make the process easier, safer, and less stressful for both you and your cat. Soon, you'll be able to trim your cat's nails like a pro.
Is it necessary to trim a cat's claws?

Read more