Cat behaviour
Short answer: Cats love Christmas trees because they combine climbing opportunities, scent exploration, new textures, playful hanging objects, and environmental novelty. Trees offer height, hiding spots, movement, and irresistible decorations that tap into natural hunting instincts. With a few safety steps, you can enjoy a peaceful Christmas where both tree and cat remain upright.
Written by Paul Denman, Cat Welfare Writer at Kitten Kaboodle
This guide provides general information and is not a substitute for veterinary advice.
Key points at a glance
- Trees provide vertical climbing opportunities that match natural feline instincts.
- Branches, bark, and needles offer exciting textures and smells.
- Baubles and tinsel resemble prey in size, shine, and movement.
- Christmas trees introduce novelty that stimulates curiosity.
- With simple precautions, festive decorations can be made cat friendly and safe.
The climbing appeal of a miniature forest
At heart, the Christmas tree is simply an indoor tree. For cats who are natural climbers, this is a dream come true. The structure, height, and branching pattern invite exploration, and many cats instinctively scale the trunk or lower limbs.
Even cats who do not climb still enjoy perching beneath the branches where the tree feels like a sheltered den.
New scents and textures to investigate
Real trees bring in outdoor smells, sap, bark, and pine needles, all rich in interesting scents. Artificial trees offer crinkly textures that rustle and shift in satisfying ways when touched.
Curiosity alone can draw cats to investigate, sniff, rub their cheeks, or paw at the branches.
Dangling ornaments mimic prey
Baubles are shiny, reflective, and hang at paw height. Tinsel moves when touched. Ribbons sway gently. From a cat’s perspective, it is a perfectly arranged hunting scene.
Light batting turns into full play, and if an ornament spins or jingles, the fun only increases.
The whole room has changed
Cats notice environmental changes much more than we do. The sudden appearance of a large object in the living room is intriguing and worth investigating.
Novelty draws them in, and once they discover the playful possibilities, the tree may become a daily destination.
Trees offer hiding spots and lookout points
With branches to duck behind and high points to perch on, the tree creates a multi layered structure cats can use for hiding, ambushing toys, or lounging.
These mixed height zones support natural behaviours that indoor cats can struggle to express.
How to keep both tree and cat safe
With a few precautions, you can enjoy your decorations while keeping your cat safe:
- Secure the tree firmly with a stable base and wall anchoring if possible.
- Place breakable ornaments high up and non breakables lower down.
- Avoid tinsel if your cat tends to chew string like objects.
- Use battery operated lights rather than plug in strands near the bottom branches.
- Cover the water reservoir on real trees to prevent drinking.
A safer setup turns conflict into coexistence.
Create alternative festive fun for your cat
If you want to reduce tree temptations, consider offering:
- a small cat sized fabric Christmas tree with soft toys attached,
- a cardboard box wrapped as a gift with entry holes,
- seasonal wand toys to redirect hunting energy,
- extra climbing opportunities elsewhere in the room.
Enrichment elsewhere often means the real tree becomes less exciting.
More Advent Calendar questions
The Christmas tree is our final festive question of the year. Revisit your favourite entries and explore the full collection here:
- Why do cats purr?
- Why does my cat chirp at birds?
- Why does my cat knead me?
- Why does my cat follow me to the toilet?
- Why does my cat stare at me?
- Why does my cat sleep on my head?
- Why does my cat suddenly run around at night?
- Why do cats love boxes so much?
- Do cats recognise their names?
- Why does my cat bring me gifts?
- What does my cat’s tail actually mean?
- Why does my cat sit on my laptop?
- Why do some cats chirrup instead of meow?
- Does my cat love me?
- Why does my cat sunbathe in the warmest spot?
- Why do cats get the zoomies?
- Why does my cat follow me everywhere?
- Why does my cat roll over and show their belly?
- Why does my cat knock things off tables?
- What makes cats obsessed with laser toys?
- Why do cats squeeze into tiny spaces?
- Why does my cat groom me?
- Why do cats love climbing to high places?
- Why does my cat sit with their back to me sometimes?
Frequently asked Christmas tree questions
- Why does my cat climb the Christmas tree?
- Cats climb trees for height, play, and exploration. The Christmas tree offers a ready made climbing structure in the middle of their territory.
- How can I stop my cat knocking ornaments off the tree?
- Place fragile decorations higher up, use soft baubles near the bottom, and redirect your cat to more appropriate toys and climbing spots.
- Are real or artificial trees safer for cats?
- Both can be safe with proper precautions. Real trees need water reservoirs covered, while artificial trees require stability and avoidance of chewable materials.
Merry Christmas from all of us at Kitten Kaboodle.
Thank you for joining us in this Advent journey celebrating cats and all their festive quirks.
🐾 Here is to safe decorations, curious whiskers, and a peaceful Christmas morning. 🐾