It's Holiday Time: Is Your Tree Kitty Ready?

With folks starting to bring holiday trees into the home, it is a great time to remember to think about your pets and what precautions you should take to keep your cats safe this year.

PetMD has some simple suggestions for you to take into consideration:

FELINE REPELLENTS

– Natural products sprayed onto the tree base like diluted white vinegar, hot sauce, or camphor, can work as cats don’t fancy the taste. Orange peels or citronella soaked cotton balls can also do the trick, but need to be out of kitty’s reach

– Commercial sprays are also available, just remember, whether purchased off-the-shelf or DIY, the smell fades and will need to be re-applied to remain effective

OBSTACLES

– Surround your tree with a barricade or objects the cat cannot scale to get under or onto the tree

– Tin foil and double-sided sticky tape at the base of the tree can deter their interest

– You can create a loud noise when your cat gets too close in proximity to scare it away. Using the same sound or noise consistently will often do the trick

DAMAGE CONTROL

– Let your cat get used to the new tree before adding any decor

– Be sure to cover the water reservoir with tin foil or plastic wrap to keep kitty out

– Tether your tree, if possible, to create stability

– Tighten the hooks around the tree branches to secure ornaments and make it more difficult for them to skip or fall off

– Unplug tree lights at night, but also be sure to regularly check electrical cords are not frayed – chewing on wires and receiving electric shock is not all the uncommon during the holiday season for pets, so if you see any signs of drooling, physical or mental impairments, get your pet to the vet immediately.

– Avoid edible decorations: popcorn strings, cookies, and candy canes are all temptations