Christmas Cat Tree Ideas: Stylish Cat Towers and a Cat-Safe Christmas in Australia

Every December, cat owners face the same battle. You put up the Christmas tree, and within minutes your cat is halfway up it, batting at baubles and chewing the lights. So what if the tree was actually built for your cat?

A Christmas cat tree, a cat tower decorated like a festive tree, is one of the most popular cat ideas of the season. It gives your cat a place to climb and scratch, keeps it busy, and can look surprisingly stylish in your living room. Better still, a good cat tower keeps working long after the decorations come down.

Below you'll find how to choose a cat tower that looks expensive without costing a fortune, how to decorate it safely, and the Christmas hazards Australian vets and RSPCA groups warn about every year.

Quick answer

A Christmas cat tree is a sturdy cat tower decorated with cat-safe items such as felt, fabric and wooden ornaments. Choose a tower with a wide, heavy base, sisal scratching posts and platforms big enough for your cat, and anchor tall towers to the wall. Skip tinsel, ribbon, glass baubles and lights on the tower itself, and keep lilies and Christmas food well away from your cat.

Why cats love climbing (and why your Christmas tree is so tempting)

Cats like to be up high. Agriculture Victoria advises giving indoor cats elevated places such as shelves, window ledges and the tops of furniture, saying these spots provide a sense of security and enrichment and let cats watch what's going on around them.

A decorated Christmas tree is basically a giant climbing frame covered in dangling toys. It's no surprise that so many cats try to climb it. Giving your cat its own festive tower is a practical way to redirect that urge to something safe.

Cats also need to scratch. Agriculture Victoria explains that cats scratch to sharpen their claws, stretch, relieve stress and mark their territory, and recommends offering a variety of horizontal and vertical scratching surfaces. A good cat tower covers climbing, scratching and resting in one piece of furniture.

How to choose a stylish cat tower on a budget

You don't need a designer cat tree for it to look good. Many affordable towers look great with the right choices and a little styling.

Look for a stable base first

Stability matters more than style. A wobbly tower can tip when your cat jumps on or off, and a cat that's had a fright may refuse to use it again. Look for a wide, heavy base and thick posts.

VCA Animal Hospitals advises anchoring tall cat trees to the wall to prevent injury to your cat or anyone else in the home. Many towers come with a wall strap. If yours doesn't, a furniture anti-tip kit from a hardware store does the job.

Choose natural-looking materials

The towers that look most expensive usually have:

• Sisal rope posts in a natural colour, rather than carpet-covered posts
• Neutral colours such as cream, grey, beige or charcoal that blend with your furniture
• Wood or wood-look panels instead of brightly coloured plastic
• Fewer, larger platforms rather than lots of tiny ledges
• Removable, washable cushions or covers

Check the platform size

Your cat should be able to lie fully stretched out on at least one platform. Large breeds such as Maine Coons need bigger, sturdier platforms. VCA also notes that if you have several cats, shelves need to support more than one cat's weight.

Check that parts can be replaced

Sisal wears out with heavy scratching. Towers with replaceable posts or covers last longer and are better value over time.

Compare before you buy

Prices for cat towers vary widely across Australian pet stores and online shops, and sales are common in the lead-up to Christmas and the Boxing Day sales. Compare the size, base, materials and reviews, not just the price. A cheap tower that wobbles is a false economy.

Types of cat towers compared

How to make a Christmas cat tree

The viral "Christmas tree cat tower" look is easy to recreate with a regular cat tower and some careful decorating.

Step by step

1. Pick a tower with a tree-like shape. A tall central post with platforms spiralling around it looks most like a tree. Green, white or natural sisal tones work best.
2. Anchor it securely. Use a wall strap before decorating, so the extra weight and excitement don't tip it.
3. Place it in a calm corner. Choose a spot where your cat can see the room but isn't in the way of foot traffic. Avoid placing it right next to the real Christmas tree, so your cat doesn't use the tower to launch itself into the tree.
4. Add a festive skirt. A fabric tree skirt around the base looks great and is safe, as long as it has no loose threads or small attached decorations.
5. Decorate with soft, cat-safe items. Felt stars, fabric bows sewn firmly in place, wooden shapes and plush toys work well. Fix them firmly to the tower, never with string or ribbon your cat could pull off and swallow.
6. Keep the top platform clear. Your cat will want the best seat in the house. Leave it free so your cat can sit at the top like the star on the tree.
7. Add a cat-safe treat. A little catnip or a few of your cat's favourite treats on the platforms encourages your cat to claim the tower.
8. Check it every day. Look for loose decorations, chewed fabric or anything that could be swallowed, and remove it.

What NOT to put on a cat tower

• Tinsel or garlands
• Ribbon, string or curling ribbon
• Glass baubles
• Fairy lights or electrical cords
• Small decorations that could be swallowed
• Real or artificial lilies
• Hooks, pins or wire

Keeping your cat safe around the real Christmas tree

Even with its own festive tower, your cat may still be curious about the family Christmas tree. RSPCA Tasmania recommends these precautions:

• Secure the tree to the floor, wall or ceiling so it can't topple.
• Avoid glass ornaments. Choose shatterproof decorations made from plastic, wood or paper.
• Skip the tinsel, or keep it well out of reach of all pets.
• Protect cords. Unplug fairy lights when you're not home, and cover cords with plastic casing or tape them down so pets can't chew them.
• Keep small decorations out of reach, and use battery candles instead of real ones.

Some owners also find it helps to leave the lower branches bare for the first few days while their cat gets used to the tree.

The Christmas hazards vets see most

Tinsel, ribbon and string

These are among the most dangerous Christmas items for cats. RSPCA Tasmania warns that tinsel, ribbons and string-like items can wrap around the intestines and cause serious, potentially fatal damage.

If you see string, ribbon or tinsel hanging from your cat's mouth or bottom, don't pull it. UK vet Yvette Bell, writing for Vet Help Direct, explains that the string can be caught in the stomach or intestines, and pulling it can cut into the intestinal wall. Call your vet or an emergency vet straight away.

Christmas lilies

Lilies are a popular Christmas flower in Australia, and they're extremely dangerous to cats. RSPCA Australia warns that all parts of the lily are toxic to cats, including the pollen and the water in the vase, and can cause kidney failure. The safest choice is to keep lilies out of any home with a cat. Read our full guide to lilies and cats.

Christmas food

RSPCA Tasmania lists several festive foods that are dangerous for pets:

• Chocolate, especially dark and baker's chocolate
• Grapes and raisins, found in fruit cake and Christmas pudding
• Alcohol and caffeine
• Onions and chives
• Fatty foods such as turkey skin, pork crackling and sausages
• Cooked bones and fruit pits, which can cause choking or blockages

Keep plates, leftovers and bins out of reach, and ask guests not to feed your cat from the table.

Wrapping paper and gift bags

Cats love playing in wrapping paper and boxes, but ribbons and curling ribbon carry the same risks as tinsel. Clear them away as soon as presents are opened.

If you think your cat has eaten something toxic

RSPCA Tasmania advises calling your local vet clinic immediately, and not making your cat vomit unless a vet tells you to. Check which emergency vet is open over Christmas and New Year before the holidays start, since many clinics have reduced hours. Our guide to signs your cat is unwell explains what to watch for.

A summer Christmas: Australian tips

Christmas in Australia comes with heat, holidays and visitors, which bring their own challenges for cats.

Keep the cat tower out of the afternoon sun

A window perch is a cat favourite, but a west-facing window can get very hot on a summer afternoon. Make sure your cat can move to a cool spot, and that water bowls are always full. Our guide to keeping cats cool in summer has more tips.

Give your cat a quiet retreat

Christmas visitors, children and noise can stress cats. A cat tower with an enclosed hideaway gives your cat somewhere safe to escape. Agriculture Victoria notes that elevated places give cats a sense of security, and a high platform away from the action is ideal.

Watch the doors

With guests coming and going, it's easy for a cat to slip outside. Many Australian councils now require cats to be contained, so check the rules in our guide to cat laws by state, and keep your cat in a closed room during busy gatherings if needed.

Book cat care early if you're travelling

Cat sitters and catteries book out quickly over Christmas and the summer school holidays. See our guides to cat sitter costs and whether to board your cat or leave it at home.

Your cat-safe Christmas checklist

• [ ] The cat tower is stable and anchored to the wall.
• [ ] Decorations on the tower are soft, cat-safe and firmly attached.
• [ ] The Christmas tree is secured so it can't topple.
• [ ] No glass baubles on the lower branches.
• [ ] No tinsel, ribbon or string within reach.
• [ ] Fairy light cords are covered, taped down or unplugged when you're out.
• [ ] No lilies in the house, including in gift bouquets.
• [ ] Chocolate, fruit cake, Christmas pudding and leftovers are out of reach.
• [ ] Wrapping paper and ribbons are cleared away after presents are opened.
• [ ] Your cat has a cool, quiet place to retreat.
• [ ] You know which emergency vet is open over the holidays.

Frequently asked questions

Will a cat tower stop my cat climbing the Christmas tree?

It may help, but it isn't guaranteed. A tower gives your cat a safe alternative for climbing and scratching. Place it away from the real tree, reward your cat for using it, and secure the Christmas tree so it can't topple if your cat still tries.

Are artificial Christmas trees safer for cats than real ones?

Both can be climbed and knocked over, so secure whichever you choose. With a real tree, cover the water base so your cat can't drink from it, and sweep up fallen needles. Keep tinsel, glass ornaments and cords out of reach either way.

Can I put fairy lights on a cat tower?

It's best not to. RSPCA Tasmania warns that pets can chew light cords. Battery-operated lights still carry risks if your cat chews the wire or the battery pack. Use soft fabric or felt decorations on the tower instead.

What should I do if my cat swallows tinsel?

Call your vet straight away, even if your cat seems fine. If tinsel or string is hanging from your cat's mouth or bottom, don't pull it, as it can damage the intestines. Your vet may need X-rays or surgery.

What size cat tower does my cat need?

Your cat should be able to lie fully stretched out on at least one platform, and scratching posts should be tall enough for a full stretch. Large breeds need bigger, sturdier towers. Anchor any tall tower to the wall.

Are lilies really that dangerous at Christmas?

Yes. RSPCA Australia warns that every part of the lily, including pollen and vase water, is toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure. If a bouquet with lilies arrives, remove the lilies and see your vet immediately if your cat has had any contact.

Related guides

• Lilies and cats: why they're so dangerous
• Keeping cats cool in an Australian summer
• Cat enclosures and catio ideas

Sources

• RSPCA Tasmania, Make sure your pet has a pawsome Christmas
• RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase, Are lilies toxic to cats?
• Agriculture Victoria, Creating the perfect indoor haven
• VCA Animal Hospitals, How to make vertical space for cats
• Vet Help Direct, My cat's swallowed some string, should I pull it out?

This guide is general information only and is not a substitute for advice from your vet. If you think your cat has swallowed something dangerous, contact your vet immediately.