(12-02-2014, 04:12 PM)Kage Wrote: What to do WITH A CAT.Step 1: Find corner to put tree in
Step 2: sink one eye bolt into the floor in the corner, and then two more two to three feet out along the walls
Step 3: using clothesline or other thin-but-sturdy-cordage, string a line from midpoint-to-three-quarters-the-way-up on the tree to each eye bolt. Make sure the lines are taught.
If done correctly, this will prevent the tree from being tipped in any direction except further back into the corner
Step 4: Buy a baggie of jinglebells. String up jinglebells in small clusters, and liberally decorate with the clusters.
The jinglebells will help alert you to kitty trying to climb the tree. And they look festive.
Note: These four steps also work great for households with small children
Step 5: Avoid decorating tree with candy canes -- cats go crazy for candy canes the same way they do for catnip. Avoid real popcorn garlands, too.
Step 6: Cats also love tinsel... the same way they love used minty dental floss. To avoid sparkly cat-poo strings, skip tinsel strands and only use tinsel garlands.
If all else fails, there's something called 'bitter apple' that you can buy at a pet store that you can spray on the tree. It won't completely stop them from climbing on the tree, but it will discourage them from nibbling/stropping on it.
Also, get a tree that doesn't lose it's needles so easily. Balsam firs are the most common and cheapest tree sold in the US and they smell the best, but they shed needles like crazy. Go for a Fraiser or a spruce -- less fragrant, but less mess for kitty to track around the house.
