How to Cat Proof A Christmas Tree

That darn cat keeps getting into the tree; there are no presents under it yet but he has a thing for bags so I need to find a solution before we start accumulating any "new toys" for him to test. There are some lower hanging ornaments that jingle and rattle when he touches the tree so I can hear him from another room and give him a shout out to get out of the tree. I did a search and found some handy tips:

Make sure that your cat or cats, are locked in a safe room large enough to hold it/them when everyone is either asleep or out of the house. This will keep your kitties from knocking the tree on the floor. (but I hate keeping him locked up all the time)


Use a piece of high test fishing line to connect the top of the tree to the ceiling. This will prevent the tree from tipping. (uh ok, but that is kinda creepy, not to mention unjust to hang your tree without a trial isn't it?)


Put any valuable ornaments somewhere in the top two-thirds of the tree. That way the cats can't reach them. (but then when the tree topples over those priceless ornaments shatter first- uh no thanks - I just put them deep into the recesses of the branches, nestled around a cacoon of artificial pine)


Hang ornaments by using wire ornament hangers. Use a pair of pliers to clamp the hook part around the branch. (ok this one would make the taking down part of the tree, which is already tedious enough an even greater chore - who wants to untangle wire from around each branch for every ornament?)


Use duct tape. If the tree is shorter than 6', use duct tape to tape the legs of the holder to a piece of wide ply-wood and put the whole thing on a short, sturdy table. This keeps the tree above their level and the cats won't be as interested. (this one is HILARIOUS - it brings to mind Jeff Foxworthy and the redneck Christmas song)


Plug the tree lights into a short indoor extension cord and tape the plug into the socket with electrical tape. Simply unplug the lights from the extension cord to turn off. (This one brings to mind the Lampoons Christmas)

Tips
Keep a small spray bottle full of water near the tree. If your cats still go after the tree, a light spritz of water on their back and a stern "NO!" will get the point across. (Now where the heck did that water bottle go? ...Oh yeah I took it from the kids when they were using it as a squirt gun)

Purchase several ornaments that are bells and hang them on the lower branches. If your cat tries to pull on the tree or hide underneath it, you will hear it. (Also suggested by Dusty on a post a few days ago, and it works great - Thanks Dusty!)

Cats naturally hate the scent of oranges, so keep orange peels under the tree to repel your cat.
If its a plastic tree, a small amount of Citronella oil shaken into a bottle of water and misted on to the tree makes it smell unpleasant to the cat but fresh and citrus-like to you. Where can I find some Citronella oil?

Consider getting a Scotch Pine. They have extremely sharp needles. Also works for curious small children. ( oh but those extremely sharp needles are extremely hard to get out of your carpet too - messy messy that is why I don't do real trees, besides the fact that I am scared to death of the tree going up in flames because it has dried out and the lights have become a thousand little torches and the presents underneath a pile of fuel - shudder)

For small kittens wrap tinfoil around the trunk. They don't like putting their nails into it and it will keep them from climbing the tree. (He hasn't tried climbing the tree yet - that I am aware of anyway)

Spray some pine cones with citronella and pile them around the base of the tree. Cats do not walk on pine cones! (also works great to put pine cones in the base of your houseplants). Oh, i gotta try this one - he is forever getting into the houseplants too and they have been moved into a room that is kept closed from his access)

Spray the bottom limbs with tobasco sauce to keep them from chewing the bottom branches. They wince and run away! (yee haw and ya'll have a very Merry TexMus with ya'll's gifts)

Decide to make it your cat's Christmas, too. Decide you are not going to get frustrated trying to outsmart your cat this year. Secure the tree to the wall or ceiling to keep it from toppling. Clamp ornaments to the branches with the metal hooks using pliers. Take pictures of your cat sleeping in the Christmas tree branches, and SMILE! >"< Hope this has brought a Smile to you too :) Have a great day!
Love,
Kim