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How to stop cats from climbing and playing with the Christmas tree?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | spayed | 2 years and 8 months old | 8.2 lbs

I just put up the Christmas tree and decorations. How can I prevent my cats from climbing and playing with it? Any repellents I can spray on it?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on November 17th, 2019

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Luna. I love Christmas time so much, but cats can be such a pain in the butt about trees and climbing them. I don't know if this is an option for you, but I moved our tree into a room where the door is kept shut all the time, and the cats cannot get in it. That prevents them from having any access at all to the tree. Gates won't work with cats, they climb over them. A bitter apple spray may work to repel the cats, and you can get that at a pet store. Cats hate the smell of citrus, but the problem with things like citrus essential oils is that they are toxic to cats, so you want to avoid that. Try the bitter apple spray, do not allow them around the tree alone, and if you can, move it to a room that you can shut the door so they have no access. I hope this helps!

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