As the festive season arrives, a familiar domestic drama unfolds in homes across the UK: the annual battle between the family cat and the Christmas tree. With their natural instincts for climbing and hunting, cats often view the decorated centrepiece as the ultimate indoor adventure playground.
Understanding the Feline Festive Fascination
According to Shani, a cat behavioural specialist at Wild at Heart, it's crucial to understand why our feline friends are so drawn to the tree. Cats see their world vertically, and a Christmas tree provides a perfect high vantage point to survey their territory. The shiny, moving baubles and lights mimic prey, triggering their innate hunting instincts. "We can't necessarily blame them," Shani explained in a recent TikTok video shared on 06 December 2025, "but we can enable them to transfer that very natural instinct onto something we would prefer them to climb."
Eight Practical Prevention Strategies
The expert's advice focuses on smart, preventative measures that work with a cat's nature, not against it. Her first tip is to provide a compelling alternative. Ensure you have a tall cat tree, at least five feet high, and reward your pet every time they use it. This can be placed near, but not too close to, the Christmas tree.
Physical security is paramount. Shani urges owners to secure the Christmas tree firmly so it cannot be toppled. For real trees, the water reservoir must be completely covered with a guard to prevent pets from drinking stagnant, potentially harmful water.
Strategic decoration placement is another key tactic. Place your most precious ornaments at the top of the tree. Some owners find that hanging bells on the lower branches can deter cats, as the sound is unpleasant to them. To satisfy a cat's desire to be under the tree, provide an approved spot like a cosy bed or a tunnel placed beneath it.
Simple, Low-Cost Deterrent Hacks
For cats who see the trunk as a scratching post, Shani suggests wrapping it in tin foil, as most felines dislike the texture and sound. One commenter who tried this method noted it took time but worked: "I put tinfoil all over the bottom and it didn't work at first, but they haven't touched [it] for a week and a half now."
Other effective, budget-friendly options include scattering pine cones around the base, as cats generally avoid the prickly feeling on their paws. There are also various pet-safe deterrent sprays and scents available that can be applied to the tree.
Finally, Shani reminds owners to cover any exposed wires or cables and, above all, to be patient. "Realise they aren't climbing the tree or messing with the tree to annoy you... they are just cats, they have instinctual behaviours and need to climb things," she said. While these hacks work for many, some determined felines remain unfazed, as one owner lamented about their cat who enjoys playing with the foil and climbing the tree guard.
