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A black and white tuxedo kitten stands on its hind legs and paws at a silver ornament hanging from a tree branch. 19 / 25

The Lowest Ornament Was Fair Game as Far as This Kitten Was Concerned

AI imagetuxedo kittenchristmas ornamentchristmas tree

Standing tall on her hind legs, a tuxedo kitten reaches up and bats a shiny silver ornament with one white paw. Her eyes are wide and her whiskers are forward, and she looks as if she has made the discovery of the century. The pine branch hangs over the scene, a couch with a green blanket sits behind her and a basket of toys and a mug are nearby.

Cats are drawn to dangling, reflective objects because they trigger the same instincts as prey: a swinging ball is hard to resist. Glass ornaments can shatter, leaving sharp shards, so place breakables high and use shatterproof ones on the lower branches. Skip tinsel, hooks and ribbon where possible, as they can be swallowed and cause an intestinal blockage that needs emergency care. A heavy tree base or an anchor to the wall helps keep a climbing kitten from toppling it. Offering a toy with a similar swing, such as a feather wand, and playing with her daily gives her a better target than your decorations. Praise and play work better than scolding.

One bright ball is now swinging gently, and the kitten is delighted. Whether it ends up on the floor or back on the branch, she has certainly made her mark on this year's decorating. Somebody will smile about it every December.

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