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The holiday season is just around the corner! It is that time of year when Christmas music plays, decorations go up, and cat owners everywhere struggle to keep their cats from drinking from the tree water.
There are several reasons why a cat may drink tree water over water from its bowl, such as the freshness of the water or the location, but regardless of the reason, it is a hassle to deal with. Not to mention, it can be worrying. Is it even healthy for cats to drink that kind of water?
While it is not recommended that cats drink Christmas tree water, one sip here and there should not be too detrimental. Still, it is not a habit you should allow your cat to adopt since consuming too much tree water can be a problem.
Why Is Christmas Tree Water Bad for Cats?
Your cat should always be drinking fresh and clean water. Christmas tree water is often the opposite of that. Christmas tree water is stagnant, sometimes remaining in place for days. Stagnant water can yield bacteria that should not be in drinking water. Pine needles, bark, and whatever else may be on the tree can fall into the water and make it dirty. This is far from the ideal water your cat needs to drink.
If you put additives into the Christmas tree water, that water is especially bad for your cat. The additives can be hazardous to pets and should not be ingested. Likewise, fertilizer from the Christmas tree may seep into the water and cause severe stomach issues for your cat.
Overall, giving your cat free access to the Christmas tree water is not a good idea. While an occasional sip is unlikely to cause significant damage, regular drinking may have serious consequences. If you cannot constantly monitor your cat around the tree, you will need to find a way to prevent it from getting into the water.
How to Stop Your Cat From Drinking Christmas Tree Water?
Stopping your cat from drinking under the Christmas tree may be easier said than done. Cats can be tenacious creatures. Once they are determined to do something, it can be challenging to make them quit. So, how can you prevent your cat from drinking Christmas tree water?
First, try to figure out why it is drinking the Christmas tree water. If you can narrow down the reasons, perhaps you can solve the issue. For instance, if the water bowl is dirty, it may be drinking from the Christmas tree because it thinks it is clean in comparison. Washing the bowl or replacing it with a better quality one may convince your cat to return to its water bowl.
If you are struggling to figure out why your pet may be drinking from the tree water, you can restrict its access to the tree. Netting, scat mats, or aluminum foil may do the trick. You could also try your hand at making cat repellent. If neither of these options works, you could purchase a specialized Christmas tree stand, designed with a cover or with an inward slant to prevent pets from drinking from it.
Final Thoughts
It can be difficult to get your cat to stop drinking from the Christmas tree water. Some cats are determined to sneak under the tree when they have open access. Hopefully, the suggestions in this article have given you some ideas on how to start so that you and your cat can have a healthy and hassle-free holiday season!
Featured Image Credit: Georgy Dzyura, Shutterstock
