It's more than the usual occasion for a kitten caper.
The Christmas tree is positively catnip for felines, and no wonder. Plenty of shiny, dangling things — a cat favorite. It's a new thing that a cat must investigate. Possibly new smells or the smell of the outdoors, and that is cat bliss. An opportunity to climb — sorry, Mom — that they can't resist.
According to PETA, you can do some things to minimize tree destruction during the season.
Try to place the tree away from end tables or other surfaces that can be used as launching pads. You might consider anchoring the tree to a wall to prevent tipping. Put the tree up early so the cat gets bored long before Christmas.
Don't use tinsel. It is so shiny that it will be tempting to chew. But it can get caught in the cat's intestines.
Tie ornaments instead of hooking them onto the tree.
Avoid glass ornaments, fake snow, real candles, plants, and food items like chocolate.
Unplug the lights when you can't supervise the cat.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
