Get a plastic water bottle from a dollar store. Fill it and use it when needed, in other words, all the time. Start now and by the time the holidays come, the cat/kittens will disappear when you show them the bottle! If you aren't hosting Thanksgiving dinner, set the tree up early. Don't decorate it for a week. I still do this just to let my guys get used to seeing a tree in the house:)). Also, I usually have to resurect the water bottle at holiday time.

Good luck, I have 3 cats (once kittens) so I know from where you come! The dogs' tails are not any fun either.

Does anyone remember this cute site?

Here is a link that might be useful: Cats and the new Christmas Tree

Hi Shaun! I was just thinking about you! Haven't seen you around cooking lately!
I don't have a cat or any pets,(do dust BUNNIES count???) but I wanted to say hi!

How cute that was! I'd have to choose the pets over the tree--the tree looks pretty but the pets are so fun and loving. Luvs

Victoria,

I fostered 1 kitten last year at Christmas, by Christmas eve I was ready to send her on the sleigh when Santa came by. I also used the water bottle but nothing worked with this kitten. I have fostered for years but after her I gave up. Usually the water bottle does work. Good luck!

I've just given up and now put the tree in the den where I can close the door. When I am in that room I leave it open and say "no" if they get too close. The door is glass so we can see the tree a bit from the kitchen and front hall. It's not the way I'd really prefer but got tired of "redecorating" constantly. Then 3 years ago we came home after being out for a few hours to find the tree tipped over on the floor and decorations all over! The tree went away that year on the 26th of Dec and I usually leave it up til the middle of January.

My cats also like to eat florals whether silk or real so everything has to be out of their reach. Only glass and metal decorations on the tables. This year I'm going to try doing an arrangement in a birdcage. Fortunately I have two hutches and a mantle to decorate.

Love my cats, the spunky little monkeys!

no clue here just remember to be careful and not use any tinsel They might swallow it. I did tie a rope around the middle of the tree and then tie it to a hook in the wall

Geez I hope my Cat doesn't see this post...LOL!
Suzan

I responded on the pets forum, but for those people here who aren't on that forum, I'll repost.

We use a product called SSScat. Its a spray canister, with a motion detector. It releases a harmless spray as soon as they get too close and makes a really loud noise. Scares em good, after a few attempts to get close, they give up and leave it alone. You can buy it at most big box pet stores.

We haven't placed it under our tree, but its worked for everything else in our house. We're going to try the tree this year. We don't even have to turn it on now, they see the can and know not to go near it.

Here is a link that might be useful: SSScat info

munkos, thanks for posting the SSS product, I know several people who will benefit from it.

We use a spray bottle with water. Being home all day helps and I have a light and itchy trigger finger. LOL I do allow sleeping among the gifts under the tree, just no climbing the limbs or batting or chewing on ornaments.

Here is a link that might be useful: Creative Soul