Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

Video: Cat proves it’s a cat and knocks over the Christmas tree

Is it possible to have a Christmas tree with a cat? Redditors weigh in after viewing this funny cat video

Rebekkah Adams
By

One of the downsides of Christmas: our pets love to mess with the holiday cookies, decorations, and presents alike. It can become particularly challenging to keep all the furry friends in check when the family comes into town and chaos ensues. Truthfully, these celebrations might actually endanger your animals if you aren’t careful. But most of the time, when our canines and felines get into mischief during the holiday season, they’re no worse for wear. This sweet cat, for example, gets more than she bargained for when she tries to tackle the house Christmas tree.

Recommended Videos

Picture the perfect standoff: Two enter the ring, only one leaves fully standing. Such is the case when this mouser decides to size up her Christmas tree courtesy of u/loocollander on the subreddit r/CatsAreAssholes. Of course, she takes a second to prepare for the perfect leap (notice, you can hear her unsuspecting humans in the background). However, as she looks all the way to the tree topper, we all know exactly what’s coming. Kitty springs into action, grabbing at the star on top of the tree…and of course, the whole thing comes down with her — don’t worry, she jumps off in the knick of time to avoid any damage to herself. We can’t say as much for the fir, though, which looks a tad worse for wear. The post is fittingly entitled, “Why have a star on top of your Christmas tree when you can have a shooting star instead?”

As u/fuzzytradr posted in response, “Takedown mission completed.” It’s true, perhaps this was the cat’s goal all along.

We also agree with u/Upset-Way3823, who said, “I’ve watched this so many times. This is amazing? (amazing to watch – I’m sure a PAIN to deal with).” Naturally, she doesn’t think so.

Upon close inspection, you’ll also find that she wears the so-called cone of shame. Payback perhaps?

A cat stares up at a Christmas tree with an ornament on her head
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How to have a cat-proof Christmas tree

Any time you have a Christmas tree with a cat, you’re asking for at least a little bit of a showdown. Commenter u/Ok-Mood-8604 gave some good advice: “I haven’t had a tree, live or fake, in years because of the cats. About five years ago, my sister made me a ceramic one. It’s really cute & the cats don’t bother it.” Another, u/BGMcKay, remarked that “We have two cats. Our tree is fastened to the ceiling. This post is why.”

If you really must have a live tree, go for the foil and citrus method, where you wrap the trunk in aluminum and put a few orange peels around it (you may need to replace them every so often). You can also designate a cat-free zone (if such a thing is allowed to exist) and put your Christmas tree in a separate room with a lock.

No matter which holidays you plan to celebrate this season, you’ll need to put in a little extra prep to keep your four-legged friends from making a mess of things. And if you do put up a tree, maybe leave the topper off this year.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah Adams
Contributor
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
Why you should feel honored if your cat sleeps at your feet
If you've ever wondered about this cat behavior, this article is for you
Calico cat lying on a white comforter

Have you noticed that when you go to sleep, your cat automatically heads to the foot of the bed and curls up by your feet? It's no mistake, and it's not your cat giving you the cold shoulder, either. This is a deliberate decision on your kitty's part, and there are many reasons why they might choose to sleep there instead of curling up on your stomach or by your shoulder. In fact, if your cat sleeps by your feet, you should take it as a compliment and feel flattered.

So, why do cats sleep at your feet? It's a mix of your cat's affection for you, a feeling of safety, and even the body heat you generate that play into your cat's decision to sleep at the foot of the bed.

Read more
Can cats eat raw chicken? Yes, but there are huge health risks you need to know about
Facts about feeding you cat raw chicken
A bowl of raw chicken plus supplements to feed to a pet

You've probably heard all about raw diets for pets. After all, more pet owners than ever want to give their animals a healthier diet! Given that wild cats eat raw meat all the time, it seems to make sense that your domestic cat would also benefit from these kinds of meals. But feeding uncooked meats, including raw chicken, is complicated, and it carries some risks.

There are definitely benefits of feeding raw chicken to cats, but it's also important to understand the concerns and to talk to your vet about your cat food plans so you can make the dietary choice that's right for your animal. Can cats eat raw chicken? Yes. But whether it's a good idea to feed cats raw chicken is a better question to consider.

Read more
4 reasons why cats wag their tails while lying down
This behavior is almost always never something to worry about
Cat yawns while sitting in a window

We know all about dog tail wagging, and most pet owners can spot the difference between a happy twitch and a cautious one. But did you realize that cats use their tails to express themselves, too? Like with dogs, the cat tail swish could mean a few different things, and it's important to have some sense of feline behavior — and your specific kitty — to decipher their movements. So why do cats wag their tails while lying down? We'll walk you through the most common causes and when you might need to step in.

Why do cats wag their tails while lying down?
If you stumble upon your kitty lying down and only moving their tail, it's probably because of one of these four reasons.
They feel happy or playful
You might see your cat lying lazily in the sun, but suddenly they give a little tail twitch as you approach. It's not your imagination. They're excited to see you and ready to play. Assuming you don't note any signs of aggression (we'll get to those later), you should head on over to pet your cat or grab their favorite toy and start a game.
It's hunting time
We can all picture the lion stalking their prey while slowly moving their tail back and forth — your cat does this, too. Oftentimes, this one will happen when they're lying on a perch or near a window and can spy on birds or small mammals in the yard. It could even be that they've spotted a fly and will pounce at any minute. All you need to do here is reach for your camera and enjoy your silly kitty at their best.
They're stressed
A cat that feels stressed will often floof their tail and start to wag it. Kitties generally puff up their fur to appear larger and more menacing. This action may also combine with an arched back or a hiss. Alternatively, sometimes tail thumping comes from overstimulation. You'll recognize pretty quickly which movements indicate fear and which mean fun.
They're dreaming
Sometimes, you'll observe your mouser twitch their tail while sleeping. It could come from a simple muscle spasm just like you get when you sleep (it also might mean they're hunting down prey in their dreams). Additionally, your sleepy kitty may be, well, faking it. They might look asleep but are actually just resting and waiting for you to come over.

Read more