If you share your home with a cat or a dog, you probably know the scene: you finish decorating the tree, step back to admire it, and turn around to find a pair of eyes fixed on the lowest bauble. For many pet owners, the Christmas tree is the most stressful piece of furniture of the year.

Why pets and Christmas trees clash

• Climbing. To a cat, a tree is a tree. Branches are made for climbing, and a tall, wobbly one is an irresistible challenge.
• Tipping over. A dog's wagging tail or a cat's leap can be enough to bring down a top-heavy tree, along with everything hanging on it.
• Needles. Fallen needles get into paws and fur, and some pets like to chew them.
• The water bowl. A real tree needs water, and pets will happily drink from the stand.
• Decorations. Dangling, shiny things look like toys. Glass baubles break, and tinsel is a real temptation for cats.

Tips for a calmer, pet-friendly December

1. Choose a stable tree. A heavy, wide base matters more than anything else. If the tree can't tip, half the problem is solved.
2. Keep breakables up high. Put glass and fragile ornaments on the top branches and use wood, felt or paper ornaments lower down.
3. Skip the tinsel. It is the one decoration most vets advise cat owners to avoid.
4. Tidy the cables. Run fairy light cables along the wall and out of reach, and switch the lights off when you go out.
5. No edible decorations. Chocolate and treats on the tree are an open invitation, and chocolate is toxic to dogs.
6. Give it a few days. Most pets lose interest in a new object after the first curious days, especially if it doesn't move or rustle.

A tree designed for homes with pets

When we designed YELKA, stability was one of the first things on the list. The wooden branches sit on a steel rod and a steel cross stand, so the tree stands firmly on the floor. There are no needles to drop, no water to drink, and nothing that rustles enticingly. You can also turn the branches flat against a wall, which keeps them out of the way of a passing tail.

Our customers agree. One wrote that YELKA is a great alternative to a Christmas tree if you have pets or don't want the mess. Several have sent us photos of their dogs and cats inspecting the tree, and the tree still standing.

A tip from our customers: they've told us that placing a few small weights, or a couple of heavy books, on the feet of the stand makes the tree even steadier. Worth trying if your cat is a particularly determined climber.

Which size for a home with pets?

• Small YELKA, 75 cm: put it on a sideboard or shelf, out of reach altogether.
• Medium YELKA, 100 cm: a compact floor tree that is easy to keep an eye on.
• Large YELKA, 150 cm: a full-size tree for the living room.

Still deciding what kind of tree to get? Read our comparison: Real, artificial or wooden: which Christmas tree is really the most sustainable?