I put my tree up yesterday and surprisingly, Thomas is the only one that's done something bad.

I caught him chewing on the electrical cord and yelled "NO" at him, but I don't want this to become a fun thing to do.

I was going to go buy some bitter apple spray, but thought I'd see if there wasn't something at home I could use instead. I think I remember someone saying that you could use hot sauce instead and it worked with their cats.

I don't understand it - he has never even looked at another cord, so why start now!

I wouldn't use hot sauce as it could really hurt the cat's mouth. It does mine. I personally would get the bitter apple. But I never have that problem as I haven't put a tree since I had the cats.

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I don't understand it - he has never even looked at another cord, so why start now!

The tree light cords are sort of dangling, more like a toy than ordinary power cords just always lying still on the floor. Maybe the plastic smell is very interesting too.

I would definitely never leave the tree lights on when you are not there to supervise.

Stephanie (I thought I posted this earlier - maybe I didn't hit reply)

At any rate, I've seen a few places lately, mostly office supply stores and (in NJ) the Container Store - that sell protective covers for cords, Christmas tree wires, and other miscellaneous electrical/computer paraphenalia. Maybe something like this would work. Some of them are designed to be "pet proof" not to mention child proof.

Maria

GG, I reconsidered the hot sauce. I think Thomas was going after the paper wrapped around the cord instead of the cord itself and since I took those tags off he hasn't messed with it.

I'll post some pictures of my tree (before & after) as soon as I get my computer fixed. The decorations are sparse - I only used silk flowers and plastic unbreakable ornaments, so it's not as pretty as it used to be, but it's cat friendly! lol

I didn't even put my white and gold ribbon on it - I figured that might be a little too enticing for them.

I even put their stuffed toys on the bottom branches so they could feel like they were really doing something at night! Sure enough, this morning all the toys I put on the bottom had been drug through the living room. hehe Better those toys than the ornaments!

I've always been afraid to leave the lights on even before I got cats. The thought of an electrical fire has always loomed in my mind, so I just turn them on when I'm awake.

Maria,

Thanks for the tip. I haven't seen any of those around here, but I've never really looked either! lol

I told GG that since I took the paper tags of the cord Thomas hasn't gone after it again, but I'll look for some of those just in case he get's a wild hair again.