Just climbed down from the dog threads again to ask this question.

Should I have an Xmas tree with our two young cats? I am a bit worried that Melody and Edna may get tinsel stuck on their throats, or pull a tree over.

We do not usually spend long periods away from home, but work all over the Xmas, so there will be long periods when we are away. Would appreciate your thoughts on this please and advise

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I've never had any problems with the tinsel but I've had the tree almost over several times from various kittens in my life! They all love playing with the baubles.
If you are out make sure the cats can't get anywhere near the tree and it should be ok.
The last Siamese kitten I had liked to bite the presents too - she liked nibbling paper!
I'll have my new kitten this year and I can't wait to see how she behaves with the tree.

I am wondering this too - I have 2 very naughty coonies in the house this year and I dread to think what will happen to our tree! I think my hubby is going to tie some string round the top and then somehow fix it to the wall!

As for the decorations, I don't see it being a problem....the lengths of tinsel are too big for them to swallow and if they swallow one of the strands, it isn't long enough to cause a problem and will come out one end or the other!

I tie the top of my xmas tree to my curtain pole. It stops it falling over when cats climb, dogs tails get too waggy and toddlers grab baubbles.

Thats a good idea. At least it would prevent the tree from falling. Still unsure about the little sparklies though. Melody is bad enough hanging from our yukka plant

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I brought one of those Topiary ball trees last year. I brought some xmas lights and it looked nice and Maisy didn't seem to bother with it. The great thing was that it wasn't sharp or anything and nowt was dangling down to temp her into attacking it lol

I think the tree toppling over is inevitable. Also, my stepmum had a cat that somehow ate some tinsel and it got wrapped around in her stomach and she had to have an operation, bless her. So be careful. I will probably steer clear of tinsel and go for more of an ornamental xmas tree.

I usually just have a small tree that you can stand on a table and just decorate light fixings and the edge of paintings etc - i have seen a cat launch itself into an xmas tree before and as funny as it is it gets boring cleaning it up constantly all xmas lol xx

besides, i hide Robs presents, otherwise he has a tendency to keep shaking them or checking them LOL xx

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We do as Lou does,just decorate the pics with tinsel(leaving non dangling),cannot have a tree of any description,any deco's must be ceiling deco's and unreachable to cats/kitts that seem confused and think they are frogs or lambs with ultra springy paws,pressies must be hid as they will seek and destroy no matter if they belong to them or not,which for an 8yr old especially can be a bummerOur cats/kitts love tinsel well anything dangly and if it's shiny well thats their xmas's and prayers answered in one go,cards again have to be on a high holder as these are great for teething kitts or just naughty cats and trying to explain that it wasn't a purposeful,personal vengeance on whomevers card is in bits can be awkward(if they visit and depending on who it is)but despite this our home is very snug and xmasy