Here is a timely article from PetMd.com about a problem that is common with many pet owners, cats and Christmas trees. We want your kitty to have a safe and happy holiday and one way is to keep cats and Christmas trees apart.

If you have a cat, you don’t need us to tell you how challenging it can be to keep your cat out of restricted areas of the house. Cats are slinky little creatures. So, even though you have set up a nice little perimeter around the Christmas tree to keep small creatures out, cats have a way of squeezing their bodies through anyway — or leaping over the obstacles. What can be done, short of hanging the tree from the ceiling?

We have compiled a list of suggestions based on the experiences of other cat owners for preventing injury to cat and tree, so that you don’t have to give up on the idea of having a twinkling piece of nature in your living room this holiday season.

Feline Repellants
There has been some anecdotal evidence that citrus oils are repellant to cats and that orange peels or cotton balls soaked in citronella and placed under the tree will keep them away (Ed. Note: It’s best to keep all of these items out of your cat’s reach). Other solutions you can try include a diluted vinegar solution sprayed onto the base of the tree, hot sauce, or camphor — all of which are distasteful to cats.

There are also some commercial products that are made especially for the purpose of repelling cats. Keep in mind, however, that the problem with using sprays and solutions is that the repellent scent will eventually fade and will need to be reapplied regularly, or the cat will become accustomed to the scent and overcome its aversion to the product. You may need to try several types of repellents before you find one that is effective.

Use Obstacles to Keep Cats and Christmas trees apart.
You can surround the tree with a barricade or objects that will prevent the cat from going under the tree and climbing into it, but unfortunately, this will not stop aerial attacks. Try tin foil or double-sided tape, materials cats cannot dig their claws into, around the bottom of the tree. This will work with some cats. You might also try making loud noises when you see your cat getting too close to the tree and this may deter the cat.

Read more at PetMd.com