Maine Coon Holiday Safety Guide: Christmas Trees, Toxic Plants, Guests & Décor

The holidays are magical. Sparkly lights, glittery ornaments, crackling candles, new smells, new people. Your Maine Coon sees all of that and thinks, wow, a jungle gym just for me. My own personal snack bar and personal enrichment festival of glitter. Maine Coons are big, athletic, curious, and smart. The exact qualities that make them magical also make them experts at finding every single holiday hazard in your house. Christmas trees, lights, cords, guests, ribbons, candles, and festive foods all add up to a lot of extra risk for cats, especially a 15–20 lb climber who thinks the tree is just an upgraded cat tower.

As fun as that might sound, it also means extra safety risks for your cats (and your decorations). In this post, we will go through simple and practical ways to keep your Maine Coon safe around;

• Christmas Trees & Ornament Safety
• Holiday Plants & Which to avoid
• Guests, Parties, & Front Door Escapes
• Decor, Candles, Cords, & Gift Wrap
• Food & Treats (what’s safe & what isn’t)
• Stress, Routine, & When to call the vet

Whether you share your home with one tiny kitten or a house full of Maine Coons, these tips will help everyone make it to January in one piece (hopefully). Here’s to hoping we can keep the cozy, sparkly, holiday magic, without the emergency vet visit. A Maine Coon safe Christmas home.

   

Pictured above are two past Lucki Maine Coon kittens. These photos were taken during the 2024 holiday season. Toulouse (formerly known as Benny), a Red boy, is on the left. Spook (formerly known as Uno), a Solid Black boy, is on the right. 

Why Holiday Safety Matters a Little Extra for Maine Coons

All cats can get into trouble during the holidays, but Maine Coons bring a few “special features” to the chaos. First and the most obvious, they’re big. A Maine Coon can knock over an unstable tree, heavy decor, or tabletop arrangements without trying. Secondly, they’re quite athletic. Many Maine Coons love to jump, climb, and perch themselves high. A decorated Christmas tree is basically an irresistible jungle gym. Third, they’re curious. You know that saying, curiosity killed the cat. New smells, guests, sounds, and textures? Sounds like a party, they’re definitely going to investigate (with their teeth). Lastly, they’re social cats. A lot of Maine Coons like to be in the middle of the action, which means being around gift wrap, guests, doors, and food.

All of that in mind, that doesn’t mean you can’t decorate or host. It just means you may want to plan a little differently, with your big floof in mind.

 Christmas Tree Safety for Cat Homes

It’s crucial to pick the right Christmas tree. You may be a household that loves real trees, it’s important to know the potential risks. Real trees are said to smell amazing (I’ve never had a real tree) but, they do drop needles that can irritate your Maine Coon’s mouth and GI tract if chewed. The water base can also be a real problem and it’s challenging to keep cats out of them. Artificial trees don’t shed needles but, cats do love to climb them.

No option is 100% “cat-proof” of course, focus on how you set it up. When picking your tree spot, think like a Maine Coon. Avoid built-in launch pads, like cat trees, shelves, or furniture. I also highly recommend giving the tree some space. Try to leave some room around the tree so if your cat zooms by, they’re less likely to snag ornaments or cords.

It’s also very important to stabilize the tree. In a cat’s mind, a wobbly tree is asking to be climbed. Use a wide, heavy base if able (bonus points for one you can screw directly into the trunk, if using a real tree). If your cat is a climber, consider a wall anchor. This could be a fishing line or clear cord from the top or mid-point of the tree to a wall hook or curtain rod bracket. This is huge for big cats that love to climb.

   

Pictured above are two past Lucki Maine Coon kittens. These photos were taken during the 2024 holiday season (left) & the 2025 holiday season (right). Bunny (formerly known as Flash), a Red boy, is on the left. Harley, a Solid Black boy, is on the right. 

Real Trees, Protecting the Tree Water from Maine Coon sipping!

Number one reason that I do not have a real tree beyond them being hazardous to pets, I cannot keep plants alive. I have zero “green thumb” energy. Tree stand water can contain fertilizers, mold, bacteria, or additives. All of that is not ideal for cats to ingest.

Consider using a covered tree stand or cover the opening with foil, plastic wrap, or a decorative tree skirt that can be tucked in tight. Use only plain water in the stand, no additives or “tree preservatives”. If your Maine Coon loves to play in water bowls, just assume they will try to drink from the stand and plan accordingly.

Ornament Safety, We want Pretty & Practical

To your Maine Coon, ornaments are batting practice, gravity experiments, and potential snacks. Ornaments are things that must be knocked off at 3am. Safe ornament strategy;

• Bottom of the tree:  Place the soft, non-breakable ornaments (felt, wood, plastic, fabric). Avoid placing anything that’s tiny, sharp, or with loose parts here. Soft, non-breakable ornaments belong here.

• Avoid tinsel and angel hair: both can cause dangerous intestinal blockages if swallowed. These look gorgeous but act like string if swallowed.

• Upper Branches: Hang the glass or fragile ornaments higher up, away from curious paws. Be sure to use secure hooks or ribbons on these, so a paw doesn’t send them flying like a torpedo. Or, make an ornament table. I personally put most of the personalized, annual ornaments, or older ornaments on a table top. This keeps the cats from being able to swing them off of the tree.

If you have one cat who’s especially “decor-entitled,” consider having a “sacrifice” mini tree in another room with felt or soft ornaments they’re allowed to smack around. You can also get the tree tunnels, which is a cat tunnel that goes around the bottom of the tree, where a tree skirt would typically be. This gives the cats their own fun space around the tree but, keeps them out of the tree itself.

   

Pictured above are two past Lucki Maine Coon kittens. These photos were taken during the 2024 holiday season. Ernest (formerly known as Maroon), a Red Silver boy, is on the left. Onyx (formerly known as Midnight Rain), a Solid Black boy, is on the right. These boys are brothers from our Swifties litter. 

Lights, Cords & Chewers

Holiday lights = wires everywhere. Which is a party for chewers.

For cats who chew (let’s be honest, most cats chew);

• Use cord protectors or wrap cords in split loom tubing. You can get this at most stores or on Amazon.

• Run the cords along the wall or baseboard so they’re harder to play with. You may consider using some tape to secure the cords. Secure any extra length to avoid dangling loops. Dangling loops = fun play toy. I’ve also seen many cats get caught in the extra cording, so please try to secure these as much as possible.

• Turn the tree lights off when you’re not home or asleep.

 Please avoid damaged cords with exposed wires, this is an accident waiting to happen. Also try to avoid running cords where they’re easy to chew or get tangled in. If your Maine Coon has ever chewed on charging cables, assume holiday lights are just as tempting and protect them accordingly.

 Holiday Plants That Are Risky for Maine Coons, The Good, the Bad, & the “Just Don’t”

Holiday plants are beautiful of course, but some are risky around cats. The big concern categories include;

• Lilies (true lilies & daylilies); Extremely dangerous to cats. Even a small amount of pollen, chewing a leaf, or drinking water from a lily vase can damage their kidneys. The best rule is no lilies in the house. Not in bouquets, not as gifts, not at all.

• Mistletoe; Some can cause GI upset, drooling, and more serious issues if ingested. If you use it, try to keep it well out of reach or consider artificial.

• Holly; The spiky leaves and berries can irritate mouths and cause drooling, vomiting, and discomfort. Many cats won’t chew it due to the spiky leaves, but it’s not worth the risk if they’re curious chewers.

• Poinsettias; The milky sap can irritate the mouth and stomach if chewed. Mild to moderate GI upset is not fun for you or your cat, ideally keep out of reach.

Safer Alternatives for Holiday Plants

Nothing is 100% safe if your Maine Coon eats a whole plant, but these are generally considered less risky:

• Christmas cactus (generally considered non-toxic, though chewing may still cause mild tummy upset)

• Rosemary “trees” (the little topiary plants often sold at holidays)

• High-quality artificial arrangements, still want to keep out of chewing range

No matter what you choose, it’s smart to place any plant on a surface that’s truly hard for your cat to access. Easier said than done, but closed rooms help. Check for fallen leaves or petals everyday and be sure to pick them up and properly dispose.

Pictured above is a past Lucki Maine Coon kitten. This picture was taken during the 2024 holiday season. Atlas (formerly known as Controversy), wearing his finest sweater, is pictured above. 

Guests, Parties & Busy Doorways

The holidays often mean new people, louder noise, and doors opening and closing constantly. Keeping indoor cats safe at Christmas or holidays might sound easy but, even social cats can get overwhelmed or slip outside by accident.

Setup a Cat Safe Room

Before guests arrive, consider setting up a quiet, safe cat room. For example a bedroom, office, or spare bathroom works perfectly. You can set up their own little Holiday retreat with:

• A litter box, be sure to place this as far away as possible from food and water

• Fresh water and a small meal or their favorite treats

• A soft blanket or bed, preferably something they’re familiar with

• A couple of familiar toys or scratchers
• A good tip that I generally use with mine, turn on a TV, calming music or white noise to mask outside sounds
• Optional: a pheromone diffuser or spray (for example, Feliway)

During parties or large gatherings, I always recommend keeping your cat in a room with the door closed, especially if guests are coming and going frequently, or there are children who may not know how to handle cats gently. You want to avoid any extra stress on them. Lock the door to prevent accidental openings! Sounds ridiculous but, accidents happen. You do not want the door opened and your cat making the dash outside. Hang a small sign to let guests know your cat is inside:

Please Keep Closed! Cat Resting Inside
Our Maine Coon is relaxing here for Holiday safety. Thank you!

This ensures your cat stays safe, calm, and undisturbed all evening.

Feel free to use this sign for your door. 

Guests, Kids & Handling Rules

Some Maine Coons love visitors, some prefer to watch from afar. You may ask your guests to let the cat come to them, no chasing or grabbing. Remind guests to let the cat sniff first and respect their body language. If the cat is presenting flattened ears, swishing tail, or moving away, that’s the cat saying no thanks. With children, demonstrate gentle petting. Consider a “no picking up” rule unless you know both the cat and kid are comfortable. With kids, in my opinion it’s always good to introduce with a toy or treat, a common ground. Your cat can get close without being touched, they can get familiar without being forced. 

If your Maine Coon hides when guests arrive, let them. Forced socializing just adds to their stress. It’s kinder to let them sit out the chaos in their safe room or area.

Doorway Safety

Please remind your guests that you have indoor-only cats. Consider adding a baby gate or folding screen a few feet inside of the doorway as a backup barrier. Even if you have no plans on your cat going outside, you may consider a collar with ID tags. Just in case, it never hurts to be “too safe”. In addition to a collar, confirm that their microchip information is up to date. In the event that they do get outside and picked up, a collar will be the first thing someone checks. Next to that would be scanning for a microchip. If you have a Maine Coon from us, then they are already microchipped & registered. No need to worry about that.  If you aren’t sure if your cat is microchipped, I would highly recommend having them scanned. If they are not, please have them chipped. It’s fairly inexpensive and you can also register it for free.

A single jump or loud shout could send them running into the night and with so many people out and about, it’s harder than ever to track them down quickly. Give them plenty of resources to offer the best chance of being returned in the event that they make it outside.

 Decorations, Candles, Cords, & Gift Wrap

Holiday decor can quickly turn into cat obstacles. There’s a fine line between “beautifully decorated” and “booby-trapped for cats.”

Candles, Wax Warmers & Oil Diffusers

• Open flames + curious tails = not a good combo. Consider LED candles, they give the “vibe” without the fire risk.

• Wax warmers & essential oil diffusers can be risky if knocked over or licked. Some essential oils are not safe for cats, talk to your vet before diffusing around them, and make sure there’s always a place for the cat to get away from the scent.

We had a past kitten that had went home and the family had recently purchased an oil diffuser.

Ribbons, String & Gift Wrap

These are a few of the biggest holiday hazards for cats;

• Tinsel, curling ribbon, string, & thin yarn. These can be swallowed and cause “linear foreign body” blockages, dangerous and often require surgery to remove. Cats love ribbon, but it can be extremely dangerous.

• After gift opening: Immediately bag up ribbons, bows, string, and plastic. Try to not leave gift wrap piles unattended around your cat.

Instead you could consider using wide fabric ribbons, which are less string-like. Crinkle paper or tissue paper are both options that the cat can safely play in once you remove the string and tape, though still avoid leaving them unattended.

Breakable Decor & Tabletop Hazards

You should consider keeping all fragile glass items on sturdy surfaces, away from the edges. Assume your Maine Coon will jump on the dining table at least once when you’re not looking and decorate accordingly. You can get “museum glue”, which will keep items secure to a surface. Great option even outside of the holidays.

Food & Drink: Holiday Treats That Aren’t Cat-Friendly

It’s tempting to share, but some holiday foods are unsafe for cats.

Keep these completely off-limits:

• Onions, garlic, leeks, chives (often in stuffing, gravy, sauces)

• Chocolate (especially dark or baking chocolate)

• Grapes and raisins (including in breads, stuffing, and desserts)

• Alcohol (including in desserts and sauces)

• Foods containing xylitol or other sugar alcohols

• Very fatty, salty, or spicy foods (turkey skin, ham fat, rich gravies)

Safer Treat Options

If you want your Maine Coon to feel included:

• A tiny piece of plain, cooked turkey or chicken without skin, bones, or seasoning/marinade.

• A special cat treat or a bit of their favorite wet food served in a “fancy” dish

Small is key, even good things can upset tummies if you overdo it.

Routines, Stress & Keeping the Holidays Calm

Cats love routine, they’re creatures of habit. The holidays specialize in destroying routine. You can help keep the stress low by;

• Keeping feeding times as normal as possible. Set an alarm for yourself if needed, it’s easy to get caught up in the holiday chaos.
• Keeping litter boxes in the usual places, don’t suddenly hide them in a garage or far-away room for the sake of guests.
• Making time for daily play sessions, even for 10-15 minutes. Wand toys, chaser toys, or a good zoomie session up and down the hall are perfect options for taking a break and letting out some energy.

If your Maine Coon is especially sensitive, consider pheromone diffusers like we mentioned above. Talk to your vet ahead of the big holidays if you know your cat struggles with noise, travel, or change. They can help to decide if something more is needed to keep your Maine Coon calm and comfortable.

When to Call the Vet (or Emergency Vet)

If you even think that your cat might’ve eaten something dangerous, it’s better to call and be told it’s nothing than wait and regret it later. Even with all of the prep in the world, things still can go wrong. Consider calling your vet (or local emergency clinic) right away if you notice:

• Repeated vomiting or sudden, persistent diarrhea

• Lethargy or hiding combined with GI symptoms

• Difficulty breathing, open-mouth breathing, or blue/pale gums

• Sudden collapse, disorientation, or extreme weakness

• You know or strongly suspect your cat has chewed or swallowed string, ribbon, tinsel, or any other foreign object. Your cat has gotten into lilies, mistletoe, holly, or other toxic plants. Your cat ate chocolate, alcohol, or any concerning human food.

Trust your gut, if you’re worried, it’s always okay to call. It’s much better to be told “they’re probably fine, just monitor” than to wait on something serious.

Quick Maine Coon Holiday Safety Checklist

Before you curl up with hot cocoa and your floof, run through this mini-checklist:

• Tree stand is heavy and stable

• Tree is anchored to wall or ceiling (if your cat is a climber)

• Tree water is covered or blocked

• Breakable ornaments are high up, soft ones are low

• No tinsel or stringy decorations

• Light cords are protected and not dangling

• No lilies, and other plants are out of reach

• Ribbons and gift wrap are cleaned up after presents

• A quiet cat-safe room is ready for guests/parties

• Holiday foods are kept out of paws’ reach

• Vet and emergency vet numbers are saved in your phone

Maine Coon Holiday Safety FAQs

Are Christmas trees safe for Maine Coons? Christmas trees can be safe for Maine Coons if you secure them well and take a few precautions. Use a sturdy, wide based stand and consider anchoring the tree to the wall if your cat is a climber. Avoid using tinsel, fragile glass ornaments on lower branches and keep the tree water covered. These tips go for all cats, with a stable setup and smart ornament placement, cats can safely share a home with a Christmas tree.

Which holiday plants are dangerous for Maine Coons? One of the biggest concerns are lilies, true lilies and daylilies can be extremely toxic to cats and should never be in a cat home. Mistletoe and holly can also cause stomach upset if chewed, and poinsettias can irritate the mouth and stomach. If you love plants, consider using safer options like Christmas cactus or small rosemary “trees”, always keep plants out of reach of curious cats.

How can I keep my Maine Coon calm with company? Set up a quiet “cat only” room before guests arrive. Include a litter box, food, water, a cozy bed, and maybe a few of their favorite toys. During parties or large gatherings, consider keeping your Maine Coon in this safe room with the  door closed so doors aren’t accidentally left open. Shy cats tend to feel safer watching from a distance rather than being in the middle of the party.

Is tinsel dangerous for Maine Coons? Yes. Tinsel, ribbon, and other string-like decorations can be very dangerous to cats if swallowed. They can cause intestinal blockages that may require surgery. It’s best to skip the tinsel entirely in a cat home and use a wider, fabric style ribbon or paper garland.

Can my Maine Coons have turkey or holiday leftovers? A tiny amount of plain, cooked turkey or chicken without skin, fat, seasonings, or bones is usually fine as a treat. Avoid feeding rich or greasy foods, onions, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, alcohol, or any other human treats. These can cause stomach upset. When in doubt, stick to cat safe treats or ask your vet.

What are some signs that my Maine Coon needs a vet visit after a holiday accident? Call your vet or an emergency vet right away if your cat is vomiting repeatedly, has diarrhea, is lethargic, is struggling to breathe, collapses, seems very weak, or if you know that they have chewed on electrical cords, ate a plant, swallowed a ribbon or tinsel, or got into chocolate or alcohol. It’s always better to get help early when it comes to potential toxin or foreign body ingestion.

We’re hoping for a Safe, Cozy Christmas for You and Your Maine Coon

You don’t have to choose between decorating for the holidays and keeping your Maine Coon safe. You just decorate with them in mind.  Do that, and your biggest holiday “problem” will be that your Maine Coon insists on napping in the middle of the wrapping paper, purring like they personally planned the whole celebration.

Happy Holidays! Xoxo, Lucki Maine Coons