Last year, when the kittehs µ and m were much, much smaller and still in "kitten" form, the Husbear thought it was cute when they were up in the Xmas tree. Okay, I did as well.
Fast-forward a year. The Xmas tree has been up for all of 4 days. And it looks like someone took an axe to it.
Mind you, most of the time I wouldn't mind personally taking an axe to all the holiday decorations out there. But that's a different story.
The kittehs are much, much bigger, and no longer in kitten form. And the Husbear no longer finds it cute now that they've torn all the ornaments from the tree, gone swinging from the ribbons, and flattened all the branches.
I know it's not their fault. They're only doing what they would be doing in nature. Well, as naturally as one would expect if one were to find a decorated Xmas tree out in nature.
But... this tree-fragging of theirs doesn't make for a pleasant living experience for anyone involved.
I thought maybe perimeter fencing and shock collars might do the trick, but the Husbear didn't seem to think that was a good idea. All I know is his squirt bottle method of deterrence hasn't worked.
For those of you with indoor kittehs, how do you keep them out of your Xmas tree? Or have you given up and just don't have nice things?
Until next time...
Colleen commented on November 29, 2010 at 4:29 am:
Is the beveraging holiday still out of the question? I don't have cats sorry. I know tin foil on couches works. What about tin foil around the perimeter maybe??? I dont know... Sorry...
Erik Rubright replied to Colleen on November 30, 2010 at 2:53 pm:
The beveraging holiday is never out of the question. Unless "they" quit making beverages. At which point I would have to take up the task myself.
I know sometimes the Husbear wraps aluminum foil around kittehs feet, and watches them try to walk and bit it off. He's quite mischievous like that.
Kyle commented on November 29, 2010 at 6:35 am:
Just drink more, you won't notice....
Erik Rubright replied to Kyle on November 30, 2010 at 2:44 pm:
I'd notice. Even with that much alcohol, I'd notice...
Blobby commented on November 29, 2010 at 7:19 am:
Only our first cat ever got IN the tree. The others like(d) to bat at the string of light and drink the water, but none have gotten back in the tree or broken a thing.
Ours have always been like dogs though and turly understand the word 'no' when we say it. So maybe we trained them well.
But I have to admit, they are cute when they do that.
Erik Rubright replied to Blobby on November 30, 2010 at 2:51 pm:
Ours tend to heed us when we're around. Unfortunately, the seem to be quite mischievous when we're not around. Although we do get to see the aftermath of their mischievousness.
Sean commented on November 29, 2010 at 7:58 am:
Try getting a citrus spray from the pet store. Cats definitely do not like the smell of any citrus fruit. Spray it on the tree and underneath it.
Erik Rubright replied to Sean on November 30, 2010 at 2:55 pm:
We tried the citrus spray last year without much success. Maybe they were too young. I'll give it another shot this year.
Kevin-Andrew commented on November 29, 2010 at 8:27 am:
Fortunately mine usually don't pay the trees no mind. I do hang the nicer ornaments higher up as my two cats tend to knock around the ornaments hanging closer to the ground.
Of course every year can be different and I don't know how they will react. As a precaution the trees go up without ornaments for a day or two. This way the new thing won't have shinnies in them to give it the extra attraction. Hopefully by the time the ornaments go on they are used to the trees.
Erik Rubright replied to Kevin-Andrew on November 30, 2010 at 2:45 pm:
Putting up the tree a few days before the ornaments goes on sounds like a good idea. Might give that a try. Next time, that is...
Ron Reaser commented on November 29, 2010 at 8:53 am:
Spray the parts of the tree they can reach with Tabasco water.
Erik Rubright replied to Ron Reaser on November 30, 2010 at 2:46 pm:
Unfortunately, I'd forget that I'd sprayed it, then touch the tree myself. Kind of like eating something spicy then touching your junk without thinking....
Cb commented on November 29, 2010 at 8:56 am:
Poor kittehs. You DO realize it's your fault for letting them play in the tree last year, right??
Erik Rubright replied to Cb on November 30, 2010 at 2:47 pm:
Nope. Not at all. Every time I saw (or heard, as was usually the case) them in it, I'd spray them with water. Which really doesn't do well with electric lights on the tree I might add.
Greg commented on November 29, 2010 at 11:12 am:
Our cat stays away from the tree because all the lights and shiny things seem to scare him. That, and it won't run to the kitchen to fetch him a bowl of cat food whenever he whines.
Erik Rubright replied to Greg on November 30, 2010 at 3:02 pm:
Ours seem to be attracted to bright and shiny.
As for the food bowls, well, that's always an issue....
Thomas commented on November 29, 2010 at 4:14 pm:
I have a fake prelit tree. The first year, the cats wanted to eat the tree. We had to get the spray bottle, but it didn't really work. How can you keep them away when you are at work? The second year we didn't put it up. Not that I minded. And now this year is a question mark. Don't know what we are going to do.
Erik Rubright replied to Thomas on November 30, 2010 at 2:58 pm:
That's what we have as well. They like to chew on the limbs. We have taken the tree down since I posted this, mostly because we were tired of fixing the tree every time we came home from work. And when we woke in the morning.
It's either we lock up the kittehs when we're not home, or we lock up the tree.
matthew thompson commented on November 29, 2010 at 5:56 pm:
Given up on nice things here.
Erik Rubright replied to matthew thompson on November 30, 2010 at 3:09 pm:
Between the kittehs and the Husbear, sometimes it's easier just to keep all the China put away.
rhys commented on November 29, 2010 at 10:01 pm:
compressed air works wonders. they learn quickly.
Erik Rubright replied to rhys on November 30, 2010 at 3:11 pm:
Hmm... That might be a little fun too!
the replicant commented on November 30, 2010 at 12:59 am:
Better just get a Christmas cactus.
Erik Rubright replied to the replicant on November 30, 2010 at 3:12 pm:
That would be... entertaining.