The holiday season is officially upon us, which means rewatching the same Christmas movies again, frantic shopping for last-minute gifts, and of course, decorating the tree. But spare a thought for the millions of cat owners who are stuck facing the annual battle of how to stop their pesky feline from climbing up the tree.
While many people might be stocking up on deterrent sprays or opting for a physical barrier, one method has certainly caused a stir online. Many social media users have been trying out a trend that involves scaring the cat with the tree before decorating it.
The idea is that the cat should be so horrified by the festive decor that they wouldn’t dare climb it thereafter. This viral hack has been spurned by animal experts though, including veterinarian Dr. Katy Nelson, who told Newsweek that she does “not recommend training through fear.”
The trend has gone viral on social media in previous years, and it appears to be back again in 2023, with more cat owners testing it out. One TikTok user, Brielle Larson (@briellellarson) posted her own attempt on November 27, and the video has amassed more than 18.2 million views and 3 million likes.
Newsweek reached out to Larson on Thursday via TikTok for comment regarding the video.
Siarhei SHUNTSIKAU/Getty Images
The post showed the owners waving the artificial tree at the cat before assembling it, with the caption reading, “heard that you have to make your cat scared of the Christmas tree so they won’t climb it.”
Larson, from Nashville, Tennessee, joked that it was “mission accomplished” when she tried the trick out, but making cats fearful of the festive décor isn’t encouraged, especially if it’s going to be around for several weeks. Rather than potentially traumatizing the cat with the tree, Dr. Nelson, a senior veterinarian at Chewy, offers some useful tips to keep inquisitive paws away from it.
She told Newsweek: “For all pet owners and even parents to small children, secure your tree to the wall with a line and a wall hook to keep it from toppling over from curious paws or hands. You can spray the trunk of your tree with citrus oil, or put oranges or lemons in your tree water and wrap the base of your tree with aluminum foil. These smells are deterrent to cats, and the tin foil feels funky to their little paws.
“If that doesn’t work, you could offer the kitty their own tree so they can celebrate too. You can get a smaller artificial tree with no ornaments, that will allow them a safe way to be curious, rather than using your pretty tree.”
Why Do Cats Like Christmas Trees?
It’s certainly no secret that cats love getting into the festive spirit by assessing the Christmas tree, but it’s not because of the twinkly lights or the presents underneath. In fact, most cats enjoy climbing to the top of the tree as it offers a stellar vantage point, as explained by PetMD. Not to mention, a particularly fluffy tree can provide an excellent hiding place too, leaving owners wondering where they could be.
With so much emphasis on keeping cats away from the Christmas tree, Dr. Nelson also noted that there are many other decorative items that can pose a risk.
“It’s not just trees that can cause dangers for kitties this time of year. Glass ornaments can break and get into little paws and hands, so if you have a really naughty feline in the house, you may opt for the plastic options,” she continued.
“Remember to keep potpourri, dangerous plants and flowers (like lilies, amaryllis, and paper whites), candles, and tinsel out of reach of cats.”
The reaction to Larson’s viral TikTok post has been mixed, as some people shared their experiences with this trick, and others commented on how terrified the cat looked. One person wrote: “The look of absolute horror on the kitty’s face.”
Another comment reads: “I have an orange cat. I’ve tried this technique with several things, and it doesn’t work.”
A more sympathetic owner responded: “I would rather my cat ruin my tree than scare him.”
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Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.