Cats and Christmas Trees: Holiday Hazards to Watch For
There’s something magical about decorating for the holidays—the soft glow of lights, the smell of pine, and that cozy sense of warmth that settles over the home. But if you share your life with a cat, you know the holidays come with another kind of sparkle: the wide-eyed look they get when they first see the tree.
To a cat, a Christmas tree isn’t décor.
It’s enrichment.
It’s climbing potential.
It’s a forest playground… indoors.
And while it can be adorable (and, yes, occasionally hilarious), trees and holiday decorations can also come with real risks for our feline family members.
In this post, we’re slowing down and walking through the most common holiday hazards—plus gentle, realistic ways to keep your cat safe without giving up the charm and tradition of the season.
🎄 The Christmas Tree: A Giant Temptation
Cats explore with curiosity, confidence, and occasionally questionable judgment. A Christmas tree instantly triggers all three instincts.
What makes trees so irresistible?
It’s tall and climbable
It smells like the outdoors
It has dangling, sparkly, crinkly things
It’s suddenly the centrepiece of the home
Even the calmest cats often need a bit of support during the first few days of holiday decorating.
Potential Hazards
Climbing and knocking the tree over
Chewing branches or needles
Getting tangled in lights or garland
Possibly batting ornaments off the tree
Jumping from furniture into the tree
What You Can Do
1. Anchor the tree.
This is non-negotiable. Use a wall anchor, fishing line, or ceiling hook to give your tree solid support. If your cat does decide to scale it, you'll avoid a crash.
2. Choose a stable base.
Weighted or wide-bottom stands work best. Add weights to any base.
3. Consider a smaller tree—or tabletop tree—if you have an especially enthusiastic climber.
Big energy sometimes needs a scaled-down solution.
4. Let your cat explore the tree before decorating it.
Give them a chance to sniff, investigate, and understand it while it’s still “boring.”
✨ Ornaments: Beautiful but Risky
Ornaments are basically cat toys in disguise—colourful, jingly, swinging, and fun to bat at.
But they can also be dangerous.
Hazards
Glass ornaments can shatter
Hooks can snag mouths or paws
Garland or tinsel can lead to choking risks
Edible ornaments (dried oranges, popcorn strings) can be toxic or choking hazards
Safety Tips
Keep fragile ornaments higher up.
Reserve the bottom third of the tree for soft, non-breakable decorations.
Use wire or twine instead of metal hooks.
Securely attach to make them safer for everyone.
Use thick cloth ribbon or bows
These are less appealing to chew. Tie securely to a tree or mantle.
Skip the edible décor.
Cats rarely respect “no eating this” traditions.
🌟 Lights and Electrical Cords
The glow of Christmas lights is one of the coziest parts of the season. But to a cat, those cords are chewable spaghetti.
Hazards
Burns
Electrical shock
Knocking lights off branches
Tangling
Safety Tips
Use cord covers or tubing. Cat-proof wire protectors are inexpensive and easy to find.
Tape cords to the wall or floor to minimize dangling temptation.
Turn lights off when you’re asleep or out.
Choose LED lights. They’re cooler and safer than traditional bulbs.
If you have a real tree, check that your lights are labelled for indoor use. Old lights can overheat the branches.
🎁 Tinsel, Ribbon, and Garland: A Big No
If there’s one holiday hazard that causes the most emergency vet visits, it’s tinsel.
Cats adore the crinkly shimmer—until they swallow it. Then it becomes what veterinarians call a linear foreign body, and that creates a dangerous situation inside the intestines.
Skip these entirely:
Tinsel
Icicle garlands
Long curling ribbon
Thin metallic strands
Safer alternatives:
Fabric garland
Paper chains
Felt ornaments
Wooden beads (large enough to prevent them from swallowing)
Wide velvet or fabric ribbon (used high on the tree)
These still look beautiful, and your cat won’t be tempted to nibble on them.
🌲 Tree Water: A Silent but Serious Hazard
If you have a real tree, the water in the base can pose risks—especially if additives are used to prolong freshness.
Hazards
Bacteria
Fertilizers
Preservatives
Sap
Needles floating in the water
Prevention
Cover the water reservoir. Tree skirts, fabric covers, tree collars or closed water reservoirs work well.
Avoid all additives. Plain water is safest.
Block access using gifts as a “barrier.” (Just be sure the gifts don’t have ribbons or strings that attract cats!)
🕯️ Candles, Scents, and Holiday Aromas
A flickering candle is enchanting to us—confusing and enticing to a cat.
Hazards
Burns
Tipped-over candles
Toxic essential oils
Potpourri
Safer Choices
Battery-operated candles
Cat-safe essential oils—used sparingly and never near your cat
Homemade simmer pots (simple ingredients like cinnamon sticks, apple peels, orange slices)
Avoid liquid potpourri entirely; even small amounts can be harmful to cats.
🧵 String, Twine, and Wrapping Supplies
Gift wrapping season turns the living room into a playground. But ribbons, twine, tape, and tissue paper can quickly become hazards.
Tips
Keep wrapping supplies in containers with lids.
Clean up scraps right away.
Opt for fabric ribbon (which cats are less likely to chew).
Save a paper bag or cardboard box as a safe “wrapping companion” for your cat to enjoy while you work.
🧵 String, Twine, and Wrapping Supplies
Gift wrapping season turns the living room into a playground. But ribbons, twine, tape, and tissue paper can quickly become hazards.
Tips
Keep wrapping supplies in containers with lids.
Clean up scraps right away.
Opt for fabric ribbon (which cats are less likely to chew).
Save a paper bag or cardboard box as a safe “wrapping companion” for your cat to enjoy while you work.
😺 Creating a Cat-Friendly Holiday Home
Let’s shift from safety hazards to enrichment. Because your cat deserves to feel included in the holiday fun.
Here are a few ways to make the season magical and safe.
1. Give your cat their own holiday space.
A cozy bed or blanket near—but not under—the tree. Something soft, warm, and scented with home.
2. Offer seasonal enrichment.
New toys
Puzzle feeders
Catnip or silvervine
Window perches to watch snowfall
A “climbing alternative” like a cat tree, placed in the same room as your Christmas tree
3. Practice gentle redirection.
If your cat wanders toward the tree, guide them toward something safer without scolding. Curiosity is normal.
4. Consider a baby gate or tree fence.
Especially helpful for kittens, newly adopted cats, or extra-spicy climbers.
5. Add weight to the base of the tree skirt.
Cats often love tunnelling under it; a weighted skirt keeps everything in place.
6. Maintain routines.
Regular meals, playtime, and cuddle time matter even more during the busy holiday season.
💛 Realistic Expectations: You Don’t Need a “Perfect” Tree
Your holiday home doesn’t have to be Pinterest-perfect. It needs to feel safe, warm, and welcoming for everyone who lives there—including the four-legged family members.
If you find your tree looks a little sparse at the bottom?
That’s not a failure.
That’s cat-parent life.
And honestly… it’s kind of adorable.
🏡 When to Reach Out for Help
If you’re heading out of town this season or simply need extra support keeping your cat safe and enriched while you’re busy, a cat sitter can be a gift to both you and your pet.
A professional can:
ensure your cat isn’t getting into décor
provide play and companionship
check the safety of holiday setups
keep routines calm and consistent
And if you're in SE Calgary, I’d be honoured to help keep your cat happy and safe this holiday season.
