Cat owners understand the importance of cat-safe (and cat-proof) Christmas trees. There are enough funny videos out there to know that cats like to climb up Christmas trees, or even launch into them from across the room!
Playing in and around Christmas trees is a given for most cats. While it’s cozy and heartwarming to see our cats curled up under the tree with the presents, the reality is there might be some climbing and jumping too.
What’s the best Christmas tree if you share a home with playful cats or kittens? These reviews will cover a range of options, from traditional artificial trees to some outside-the-box choices, all with some cat-friendly features.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024
Rating
Image
Product
Details
Best Overall
Vickerman 6' Natural Bark Alpine Artificial Christmas Tree
Our pick for the best overall Christmas tree for cats is this Vickerman tree with a real wood trunk and natural bark. Your cat will enjoy scratching on the trunk, hopefully, enough to leave the ornaments alone! It has a flat metal stand for added stability.
Pros
Natural bark trunk for scratching
Flat metal stand
Cons
The tree is narrow
2. Collections Etc. Lighted Christmas Wall Tree – Best Value
Our choice for the best Christmas tree for cats for the money is this wall-hanging tree. You can keep this tree out of reach by hanging it on the wall. It can be used in homes with pets and babies when safety is a top concern. The compact size is also good for small spaces.
While not a traditional Christmas tree, this is a cat tree that’s sure to please any cat that wants to climb up into a tree. It’s a cat condo made to look like a real tree with leaves. It has a sturdy base and 3 levels of perches. You can add decorations for the holidays and then keep it up for your cats to enjoy all year.
Pros
Intended for use as a cat tree
Natural-looking
Cons
Not a traditional holiday tree
4. BOLUO Tall Cat Scratching Post Toy Christmas Cat Tree – Best for Kittens
Perfect for a playful kitten, this Christmas tree scratching post has holiday decorations and green color. Features include a stable base and natural sisal scratching area. Hanging toys and pom-poms will encourage play.
This is a cute cat bed in the shape of a Christmas tree. It can be used as a cat cave with the tree tent on during the holidays, then you can unzip and remove the tent and use the bed without the Christmas tree top part for the rest of the year.
This is another wall-mounted Christmas tree option. You can hang it out of the way which makes it safe for cats, other pets, and babies. It’s good for small spaces. It has battery-powered lights, and you can also add your own decorations.
It will be tough for your cat to knock down this Christmas tree! This is a Christmas tree wall tapestry complete with presents and a snowy outdoor scene. It’s a good choice for pet safety as well as for small spaces. You can also use it as a tablecloth or bed covering.
Is it a stretch to call this cat toy a Christmas tree? Well, maybe, but it does have some Christmas tree vibes! It features 3 tiers of tracks with balls, plus two holiday-themed springy toys that you can switch or remove after the holidays.
Pros
An interactive cat toy
Holiday style
Cons
Not a traditional Christmas tree
9. Best Choice Products 15-inch Pre-lit Hand-Painted Ceramic Tabletop Christmas Tree
This is a tabletop ceramic Christmas tree that is cat-safe but still festive. It is hand-painted, with multicolored lights and a sturdy base. The compact size makes it a good choice for small spaces.
Pros
Safe for cats
Lighted
Good for small spaces
Cons
Not a traditional holiday tree
10. HOHIYA Metal Christmas Tree Spiral Wrought Iron Ornament Display Stand
Your cat may want to play with any ornaments you hang on this metal tree, but the design makes climbing and jumping difficult for cats. It has a stable round metal base, and the weight is 12.57 pounds. It has a sleek and modern look.
Pros
Sleek design
Safe for cats
Cons
Not a traditional holiday tree
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Christmas Tree for Cats
Our selection of the best Christmas trees for cats might be a little quirky, but sometimes cats and traditional artificial Christmas trees don’t mix.
When considering Christmas trees and other holiday decorations, cat owners are concerned with how cat-safe and cat-proof they are. What makes some Christmas trees better for cats than others? We’ve got some tips for you.
Tips for Choosing a Christmas Tree for Cats:
A sturdy tree with an equally sturdy base is important if your cat is a jumper. It’s natural for cats to want to jump onto tall trees, but that can cause them to topple over.
You can add extra stability by placing your tree in the corner and anchoring it to the wall or ceiling. It also helps to keep your tree away from jumping off points like the back of the couch or a windowsill.
Be mindful of what types of lights and ornaments you put on your tree. If your cat likes to chew, avoid sharp or fragile ornaments and loose wires.
You can place ornaments, especially fragile ones, in the upper part of the tree, or skip them altogether. An alternative is to get cat-safe and unbreakable ornaments made of materials like felt and wood.
Most pet safety experts also recommend avoiding loose tinsel decorations as they can obstruct your cat’s gastrointestinal system when eaten. Those little metal hook ornament hangers can also be hazardous when ingested.
The materials that go into artificial Christmas trees are for the most part safe for cats, except for flocking. Flocking is that white stuff that looks like snow. Experts say it contains chemicals toxic to pets.
What about a strong real tree that’s anchored in a sturdy base? Sounds good, but many pet safety experts say that real trees can be less safe than artificial trees.
This is because their smells and textures might be too attractive to some cats who find them irresistible. Real trees can also shed needles that can be swallowed. You also want to make sure that your pets don’t drink the tree water in the stand.
You can find all kinds of artificial Christmas trees that look different enough from real trees, so your cat won’t be tempted to play around with them too much. That’s why we included wall hangings and trees made of materials like metal and ceramic.
We’ve also included some Christmas tree-themed scratching posts, beds, and toys. You can use these items instead of, or in addition to, traditional Christmas trees for something fun and different.
Place them near your tree and add a little catnip to entice your cat to play with its own kitty Christmas tree rather than yours.
Conclusion
We’ve covered a bunch of different cat-friendly Christmas tree options in these reviews. But they’re just a few of the many traditional and non-traditions choices when you’re thinking about Christmas trees for cats. You may prefer a tree that’s as realistic as possible, or maybe you’re willing to think outside the box to find the right tree for your home, pets, and personal style. To help you choose, here’s a quick recap of our top picks.
We like the Vickerman natural bark tree because it just may be the perfect combination of Christmas tree and scratching post for your cat. We also like the Collections Etc. wall tree because it has the traditional Christmas tree look but you can hang it on the wall to keep it safe from playful cats.
