The holiday season is a time for celebration, and one of the most festive events is decorating your Christmas tree. However, cats can be fickle creatures when it comes to decorations.
Quick answer: To stop your cat messing with your Christmas tree, choose a sturdy artificial tree, weigh down the base, keep it away from furniture your cat can jump from, tie on unbreakable decorations, skip tinsel, and give your cat plenty of toys and a cosy hiding spot of their own so the tree is less tempting.
Updated November 2026 by Declan O’Keeffe, Dec’s Pets, Wexford.
Why are cats so interested in Christmas trees?
Cats are curious and love to climb trees and hide in small spaces, so it’s no surprise cats are drawn to our Christmas trees. Although we can’t guarantee that your Christmas tree will be 100% cat free, there are a number of considerations when buying, preparing and decorating a tree that can help minimise the risks involved.
Buying the tree
Artificial trees are best
When it comes to buying a cat-friendly Christmas tree, artificial is best. Real trees are far more attractive to cats for a number of reasons; not only are they fragrant, but the pine needles can also be fun to chew on and the tree trunk is perfect for climbing or scratching. We also recommend picking a tree that can support your cat’s weight, so they don’t fall out of the tree if they try to climb it.
Setting up the tree
Position it out of the way
The first step to putting up the Christmas tree is getting it into position to ensure it’s as cat friendly as possible. It’s important that there aren’t any sharp objects near the tree; this includes anything with glass pieces like vases and picture frames and wreaths with ribbons attached–these things could increase any injury caused by the tree falling over.
Prepare the base
Place your tree on an even surface and ensure it doesn’t rock. If your tree isn’t stable, your cat could tip it over and cause damage to the base, or even worse, push it over completely. If you choose a real tree, make sure your cat can’t get access to the water in the stand, as this could be potentially toxic for your cat. The soil could also get used as a litter tray, so it’s crucial that your cat can’t get access. If your cat loves Christmas trees, you could wrap your base in tin foil to act as a deterrent.
Avoid positioning it near “launching zones.”
Place the tree away from windows, doors, and other furniture your cat could use as a ‘launching zone’ to jump onto the tree.
Decorating the tree
Be careful with the lights and electricity
If your cat is particularly curious, hide any electrical chords as best as possible. For maximum safety, we recommend securing them in a cupboard or box your cat can’t access and spraying them with cat repellent spray. It’s also vital to always unplug the lights when your cats may be close to the tree unsupervised.
Tie instead of hang ornaments
If you’ve got a cat, the best way to keep them from messing with your Christmas tree is to tie ornaments instead of hanging them; this will ensure they’re more secure and stop your cats from playing the fun game of knocking them off. If you need to DIY your ornaments to make them tie ornaments, use closed wire hooks or twist ties, and never loose thread or string, which cats can swallow.
Choose durable ornaments
Always choose durable ornaments, and avoid anything made of glass, china or other fragile materials which may maximise the damage or potential injury if your cat plays with your Christmas tree.
Avoid tinsel
Never use tinsel in a household with cats; if it’s accidentally swallowed, it can get stuck in your cat’s mouth or stomach and cause life-threatening injuries that cost a lot to get fixed. Ribbon and string carry the same risk, so choose felt, wooden or shatterproof decorations instead.
Christmas plants that are dangerous for cats
Lilies are the most dangerous: even a small amount of pollen can cause kidney failure in cats, so keep them out of the house altogether. Poinsettia, mistletoe and holly can upset your cat’s stomach. If you think your cat has eaten any of these, ring your vet straight away.
Give your cat something better to do
A bored cat makes their own fun, and the tree is the most exciting thing in the room. A few short play sessions a day with a teaser wand, a wind-up mouse or a catnip mouse burns off that energy, and a warm cat cave gives them their own hideaway away from the visitors. A cat advent calendar is a fun way to give them their own bit of Christmas too.
FAQs
Why does my cat climb the Christmas tree?
Cats love to climb, hide and play with things that move, and a tree full of dangling decorations ticks every box. A real tree’s smell and needles make it even more tempting.
Is a real or artificial Christmas tree better with cats?
Artificial is better. Real trees smell more interesting, the needles can upset your cat’s stomach if chewed, and the water in the stand can make them ill.
Is tinsel dangerous for cats?
Yes. If swallowed, tinsel, ribbon or string can tangle in your cat’s gut and need emergency surgery. Choose felt, wooden or shatterproof decorations instead.
How do I keep my cat away from the Christmas tree?
Put it away from furniture they can jump from, wrap the base in tin foil, use a pet-safe deterrent spray on cables, and give them toys and a hiding spot of their own.
