A Kitty-Cat Christmas

Does anyone have any ideas on how I can keep two half-grown kittens away from an artificial Christmas tree.  I'm not so much worried about the ornaments or them climbing the tree, but them chewing on the branches. I'm about ready to bannish them to the garage, but how much fun would that be.

[IMstacie]

ahh, the cats and the trees.  My cats are all older now and enjoy sleeping under the tree but I can remember when one or two would tear straight up the middle of the tree to the top.  Maybe you could give them a distraction, like catnip.  On second thought maybe not - may make them worse.  

All I can think of is putting your ornaments high (bare tree at bottom) to keep them from being so curious.

Good luck.

[desperatetostop]

I solve this problem by not having a tree. LOL.

although one year we hosted the family gathering so we "had"  to have a tree...only one cat became an ornament. LOL.

It's hard to keep them from doing what comes natural...good luck

[April2]

I have a bratty cat who climbed our tree last year and knocked the whole darn thing over. Needless to say, I was not a happy camper! She's now 2 years old and I was wary about the tree this year so I brought out the squirt bottle with water and set it near the tree. She did climb it once and I squirted her. She didn't like that much! I've only had to squirt her about 3 times now and so far she seems to be leaving it alone except for laying under it, which is ok.
I suggest getting a squirt bottle of water and squirting them when they try to climb the tree or chew on it. It does seem to work and it doesn't hurt them.

[LindaTX]

Hey, thanks guys.  I do like the squirt bottle idea!  They have calmed down a little and haven't tried to climb it. The chair I usually sit in is right next to the tree.  I have been snapping my fingers at them but I think the squirt bottle would get better results, just a little squirt.  I promise not to drown them! lol  I have already removed those ornaments on the low branches.

[AppleBr]

Loreena killed my Christmas tree in the middle of the year :-)
I mean, not exactly or intentionaly but it was a natural cypress planted in a pot, it was born there and lived for  a long time . After I start giving the cat atention I kind of forget about watering the poor plant and she died - but I'm not sure if another cat "spray" not helped in the process...
That  make things a lot easier, I dont have to care about decorations... but kittens inside socks would be sooo cute - for some seconds,of course!
"bout the squirt bottle,dont work very well here, guess she is too much used with taking sudenly rain showers  to care about a few drops.And I dont want her really wet running around or laying with the kittens

[Kaydey]

you can keep you cat away by spraying it with a water/vinegar solution....  2 tbsp vine. to 4 cups water

you won't smell it but your cat will and it won't harm the ornaments or the lights.

[LindaTX]

Thanks, Kaydey, I'll give it a try.