How to keep young cat off the Christmas tree

[otl1980]

After trying numerous methods to keep our cats from eating the artificial christmas tree, I think I have found an answer. This is finally working for us and we have 4 inside cats ranging from 5 months old to 12 years old.
We took a q-tip and dripped "cinnamon bark" oil onto it and dabbed the lower branches of the tree. The cats hate the smell and we don't mind it at all because it smells like the holidays. Since this is an oil, it stays on much longer than some of the sprays we have tried that have to be reapplied over and over.
Hope this helps those who have fought this problem like we have but don't want to get rid of the tree yet. And our cats stay healthy by not eating the tree too!

[weeks]

WW was, for a short while, Google's number one result on this topic:
[webmasterworld.com...]

But, I don't think we mentioned cinnamon bark oil to keep a cat off the Christmas tree.

What we did was put the tree in the study and a glass door on the on the study where we can see the tree, then we keep the cats out of the study during Christmas. Except when we're in the room watching the TV, when the mature, reasonable cat is allowed in to join us.

And, while I was typing this I got a call asking if I could could home for lunch and help put up this year's tree.

[otl1980]

Excuse my ignorance but what is WW?

[tangor]

What we did when I was a kid was erect the tree then barbecue the current population of cat(s) for hors d'ourvers. Yummy!

Before the PETA folks jump and shout, just remember the attack otter in Florida. Animals are well able to take care of themselves. And most are tasty when passed over an open flame... [articles.sun-sentinel.com...]

edit: forgot the obligatory :)

[weeks]

Excuse my ignorance but what is WW?

Sorry, that's WebmasterWorld.com.

tangor: It's interesting to see cat lovers who are really into Christmas trees as well attempt to reconcile their emotions. Some cats appear to be asking to be skewered.

[tangor]

@otl1980...

Welcome to Webmasterworld (WW), glad to have you here. Sorry you got the bad boys of bad puns as your introduction... weeks is smarter than I am, I am merely more handsome but pitifully poor (as in finance, as I suspect most of us are these days with the recession gubermints (sic) are ignoring at the moment). All that said...

Turns out that cinnamon oil is a cat offend, and thanks for that! I no longer have cats in the house, having lost the wife with the cat(s) after 29 years (and then she turned around and died two years later from cancer). Should I ever acquire another with the penchant for felines I'll keep that in mind.

Meanwhile, kiddies all, Happy Holidays!

[otl1980]

Thank you! I've enjoyed the feedback as well as the humor.
So sorry for the loss of your wife and your cats. I can't imagine the loss of a loved one but I have experienced the loss of some pets and that is painful enough!

[J_RaD]

wow maybe i'll try that, i've skipped the tree a few years because everytime we get it looking just right and awesome the cat climbs to the top and sends the whole thing crashing down.

[otl1980]

Well I need to add that climbing is not the problem in my home because all of my 4 cats are declawed in the front. I have an 8 year old male and a 5 month old female who we call "partners in crime" eat of the artificial tree and throw up the "needles" and we get so tired of cleaning up the bloody mess from the needles scratching their throats during their purging.
The cinnamon bark oil which I got from a health food store was for me and cholesterol lowering but found the cats do not like the smell at all. So, I am killing 2 birds with 1 stone so to speak with the oil. Success on both fronts!

[wyweb]

Nice tip. If I had any cats I'd write it down.

My dogs eat cats. It's not that they have a taste preference, it's that "small furry thing running away from me," that triggers it.

[caribguy]

WW was, for a short while, Google's number one result on this topic

That explains a lot :) Welcome to WebmasterWorld otl1980!

Can't comment on keeping cats out of the tree, xmas decorations have always been (and will always be) the gf's department... I'll cook dinner and pour (purr?) the wine instead! Keeping the cats off your kitchen counter and out of the fridge is yet a whole 'nother story ;)