Thread: Maine coons and Christmas + Marshall update

Hey everyone, hope you're all having a lovely Christmas!! This is my first ever Christmas with a cat... And not just any cat my inquisitive and smart mc Marshall! He's almost 11 months now and I'm debating putting up a tree. Does anyone have any advice about putting up a tree and keeping a kitty out of it/ stopping them from tearing it down or making it Maine coon proof?

And since I know you all love seeing pictures, here's Marshall giving the " why did you stop petting me" look!



photo by The Happiest Princess, on Flickr

Our tree 2 Christmas's ago



We tried something last year and it worked really well... We wrapped up their catnip toy presents and placed them all around the base of the tree. When the cats went to play with the tree decorations they got distracted by the catnip presents, and by the time they'd finished rolling around in the presents they had forgotten all about the tree!!

Marshall is so handsome! We have an artificial tree. This year we removed the bottom branches hoping that would keep him from chewing and eating the fakes pine needles. Yes he found another way of chewing on the branches & eating the needles. Also the ornaments are higher then he can reach this year (he's 19mos). Last year (he was 7mos) they were a little lower. As you can see, we've given up and this is how our tree will continue to look this year. Of course until he knocks more ornaments down. Which he has taken to leaping up to bat them off. Luckily he hasn't learned to climb the tree.

Alas, we have found no solution to mc-proofing our tree. However, we have switched to shatterproof ornaments and attempt to entertain the boyz as much as possible to distract them from the curiosity. Sometimes this tactic fails miserably. I must say it has been our experience that they get into more trouble with the artificial trees - dunno why.

These photos are priceless!!!

Oh brilliant thanks for the replies everyone!! I love all your Christmassy kitty photos!! I like the idea of the distraction catnip presents I might give that a go, I'm guessing I should just get a tree and see what happens but knowing Marshall he will want to be the angel at the top of the tree!