So a good fair share of us put up a tree every year. I bet the majority has a pet or two as well and there is always that one who has to eat a tree branch or climb up into the tree.

Tree climbers: Usually these guys go under the tree, climb up at the base and long story short, get stuck somewhere between there and the top. Its best to catch them while they’re trying to climb, but if you can’t try putting things under the tree around the base that are just tall enough the pet can’t climb on top of them to climb into the tree. The items can be temporary if you have no presents wrapped and be switched out with the real deal the night before.

Branch chewers: Puppies and cats like to chew on things, not sure why, they just do. Now these guys tend not to like bitter or hot/spicy flavors so give it a try. Take something like Grannick’s Bitter Apple, which is totally pet safe for both cats and dogs, and spray it on the lower branches or where else they may chew too. If they happen to like the bitter flavor try a little hot sauce, that’ll give them a good kick. This also works for the pet who loves chewing on the light cord as well, spray some of either flavor on the cord and watch them never touch it again.

Ornament breakers: There’s that good chance there is a glass ornament or two that doesn’t need to be broken on the tree. First and foremost always put the glass ornaments near the top of the tree so the taller pets, or children, have less of a chance of knocking them off. If you have a fake tree, bend back the branch tip the ornament is on, if the tree is real put the ornament farther back and possibly place a clothes pin on the branch end. It wouldn’t hurt to keep a plastic icicle or two at the bottom branches for “Kitty” to play with though.

Push overs: So for the larger pets that seem to think they have to cuddle the tree, you may have to put some weight on the base. If you want it to look pretty you could use some weights but put logs on top of them to hide them. You could also have the pet’s toys in another room as a distraction so they may think less of the tree as well.