Cats are natural climbers, and with their small, nimble bodies, sharp claws, and incredible balance, they are seemingly made for this activity! Unfortunately, for most cats, climbing up a tree is far easier than climbing down, their preferred method of getting down from somewhere high up is to simply jump. Many kitties end up stuck in the upper reaches of a tree and must wait for a firefighter to come to the rescue! To make matters worse, even after getting stuck, some cats will simply go and climb the tree again, forgetting their previous struggle. This can be frustrating for both you and your pet, to say the least.
Fortunately, there are a few measures that you can take to prevent your cat from climbing trees. In this article, we look at five proven methods.
The 5 Ways to Keep Your Cat From Climbing Trees
1. Keep Your Cat Inside
This may seem like an obvious point, but simply keeping your cat indoors 100% of the time will naturally stop them from climbing trees. You can then provide them with purpose-built climbing trees and plenty of toys to keep them busy and safe from getting stuck in trees. Alternatively, a screened play area that they can access at all times will still give them the feeling of being outside while being kept safe.
Of course, keeping your cat inside is easier said than done, especially if they are accustomed to being outdoors. It may take time and training to get them used to the idea. If you simply cannot keep your cat inside at all times, try the following methods.
2. Wrap the Tree Base
In order to climb properly, cats need to grip with their sharp claws. Wrapping the tree’s base—to the maximum height that your cat can jump—with aluminum foil or plastic will make the tree slippery and prevent your cat from climbing. If you have a determined cat, they will likely keep trying to climb the tree even with the protective layer, so you may need to replace it occasionally. If this is the case, a flexible, thin piece of sheet metal can also do the trick and is a more permanent solution. Of course, if you have a garden with many trees around, it may be a better idea to keep your cat indoors.
3. Use Chicken Wire
Wrapping chicken wire around the base of the tree may help stop your cat from climbing it. Begin by wrapping one end of the chicken mesh tightly around the tree and securing it with ties. Then, fan the chicken mesh outward around the circumference of the tree. This will form a horizontal barrier that most cats will be unable to penetrate. To ensure your cat’s safety, you must cover the chicken wire with a layer of garden netting to make sure your cat won’t catch on claws or paws. Regularly inspect the barrier to ensure there are no sharp edges or holes that could put your cat in danger. Of course, cats are notoriously agile and intelligent creatures, and some may be able to use the holes in the mesh to climb over. It may be best to add foil to make it 100% secure.
4. Set Up Perimeter Deterrents
There are electronic devices and materials that you can use to create a protected perimeter around the base of the tree. Electronic deterrents with alarms and flashing lights are fairly expensive but can also help keep your cats out of trees. Motion-activated sprinklers may also help, as cats generally do not enjoy getting wet.
5. Offer an Irresistible Alternative
The last method to try if you simply cannot keep your cat indoors at all times is to offer them a more enticing alternative than the top branches of a tree! Use the tree that your cat loves the most or a more suitable alternative, and make it easy for them to get up and down with steps or ladders. You can attach other toys to the tree and even a hammock or two, making this “safe” tree far more irresistible than the other trees in your yard.
Final Thoughts
Cats love to climb, and trees are one of the most enticing things that they could climb because they’re full of leaves, varying textures, and creatures to hunt! Many cats don’t know how to get down, though, so keeping them out of the tree is the best option. There are proven methods to help keep them out of trees, and hopefully, one of these will work for you!
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Featured Image Credit: bookwurmee, Pixabay
