A cat tunnel tree skirt gives your cat its own play spot under the Christmas tree, which can draw its attention away from the branches. This guide from WakaPaw compares 5 options on stand fit, steadiness, washing and use after the holidays, so you can pick one that fits your tree.
Key Takeaways
- If you haven't measured yet: measure your tree stand at its widest point, and plan to tie a tall tree to the wall.
- If you want a red or white look: pick the LECHONG red tunnel or the OurWarm white tunnel, as long as you don't mind cleaning by hand.
- If your cat climbs no matter what: add a training mat like the PetSafe ScatMat in front of the tree, and anchor the tree too.
- If your cat ignores the tree: a flat skirt like the Pottery Barn Luxe Faux Fur covers the base.
- If you want a tunnel skirt you can measure and use all year: our 3-in-1 Cat Tunnel Bed is the best pick. It lists its 15.7 in center opening, has a washable cushion and turns back into a bed after Christmas.
Cat Tunnel Tree Skirts at a Glance
| Option | Best for | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 3-in-1 Cat Tunnel Bed | Playful cats, with a listed opening size | Tunnel skirt + bed, 3 shapes |
| LECHONG 3-in-1 Christmas Cat Tunnel Bed & Tree Skirt | A red, festive look | Tunnel skirt, red faux fur |
| OurWarm White Plush Cat Tunnel Christmas Tree Skirt | A white tree | Tunnel skirt, soft white plush |
| PetSafe ScatMat Indoor Pet Training Mat | Cats that climb | Training mat |
| Pottery Barn Luxe Faux Fur Tree Skirt | Covering the base only | Flat faux fur skirt |
Our own price is in the review below. For other brands, check their site or listing for today's price.
The 5 Best Cat Tunnel Tree Skirts, Reviewed
How we compared cat tunnel tree skirts
To be upfront: we make the 3-in-1 Cat Tunnel Bed, and it's first on this list. For the others, we read each brand's page or product listing on October 26, 2026. The other two tunnel skirts sell on Amazon, so we read those listings. We didn't test any of them ourselves.
We don't show prices or shop links for other brands, so check their page or listing for today's price. We compared each one on five points:
- Fit: does it list the size of the hole in the middle, so you can check your stand?
- Staying steady: what keeps the tree from tipping while your cat plays below?
- Washing: what goes in the machine, and what doesn't?
- After the holidays: is it still useful in January?
- Fun for your cat: does it give your cat something to do?
1. Best for Cats Who Play Under the Tree: 3-in-1 Cat Tunnel Bed
Lights, swinging ornaments and branches at jumping height make a Christmas tree hard for a cat to ignore. This bed gives your cat its own play spot right under the tree. The tunnel runs around the stand, so the fun stays at the bottom.
Why it's our pick: it's the only tunnel skirt we checked that lists its center opening, about 15.7 in. It also says who it's made for: cats up to about 15 lb (6.8 kg). The other two tunnel listings give neither, and one also gives mixed washing instructions.
A finished look under the tree: the soft ring hides the stand and frames your presents. The base looks neat, even with a cat in the house.
What owners say: on our product page, Miguel Z. wrote that the family cat "has a habit of hiding in the closets," and now it plays in the tunnel or just rests inside. Susana W. bought it for a young cat with lots of energy. That cat now plays for a while, then curls up and sleeps.
How it fits around the tree: lift out the center cushion, then stand the tree inside the ring. The hole is about 15.7 in (40 cm). The ring is 33.5 in (85 cm) across and 10.2 in (26 cm) tall. Measure your stand first, and tie a tall tree to the wall.
Three shapes after the holidays: zippers and small toggle buttons change its shape. It can be a round donut bed, a bed with an open tunnel, or one long S-shaped tunnel. Once the tree comes down, drop the cushion back in, and it's a bed again.
Easy to keep clean: the center cushion goes in the washing machine on a gentle cycle. Wipe the soft ring with a damp cloth, and take off the pom-pom if your cat chews it. The tunnel has a spring wire inside, so it folds flat into a 12.6 × 12.6 × 4.7 in box for storage.
| Center opening | About 15.7 in (40 cm) with the cushion out |
|---|---|
| Ring size | 33.5 in (85 cm) across, 10.2 in (26 cm) tall |
| Shapes | Donut bed, bed + open tunnel, long S-shaped tunnel |
| Made for | Cats up to about 15 lb (6.8 kg), kittens and small pets |
| Cleaning | Cushion goes in the washer, wipe the ring with a damp cloth |
| Storage | Folds into a 12.6 × 12.6 × 4.7 in (32 × 32 × 12 cm) box |
| Colors | Frost Gray, Rainbow, Honey Lattice |
| Price | $69.99, free worldwide shipping, 100-day returns |
Pros
- Tells you the hole size, so you can check the fit
- Cushion goes in the washing machine
- Works as a bed the rest of the year
- Three shapes, plus a pom-pom that comes off
Cons
- The 15.7 in opening won't fit very wide stands. Measure yours first.
- Made for cats up to about 15 lb (6.8 kg). A very large cat may find the tunnel tight.
Best fit: playful or curious cats and homes with a standard tree stand. It also suits owners who want a skirt that becomes a bed later.
See the 3-in-1 Cat Tunnel Bed: free worldwide shipping, 100-day returns
2. Best Red Tunnel Skirt: LECHONG 3-in-1 Christmas Cat Tunnel Bed & Tree Skirt
A cat napping inside a red fabric tunnel (stock photo, not the exact product).
This is the most Christmas-looking tunnel we found, with red faux rabbit fur, a gold foil print and a velvet lining. It sets up as a circle or an S-shape. A soft mat snaps into the middle, and both entries have toy balls. The listing says it's about 37 in across.
Missing details: the listing gives no washing instructions, no hole size and no weight limit. It lists the height as both 10 and 11 in, and we only found it on Amazon, with no brand site.
Choose it if you want a red skirt, mostly for looks, and your stand fits. Since there are no washing instructions, ask the seller how to clean it before you buy.
3. Best White Tunnel Skirt: OurWarm White Plush Cat Tunnel Christmas Tree Skirt
A cat sitting in a plush ring tunnel (stock photo, not the exact product).
This soft white tunnel comes in three prints: plain, grid and snowflake. It sets up as a circle, a half circle or an S-shape. It measures 36 × 36 × 10.2 in, has hanging ball toys and folds for storage. It has been on sale since 2024.
Mixed washing advice: one line in the listing calls the center cushion washable, but the details table says hand wash only. It lists no hole size, and the title says it's for kittens and small pets.
Get it if you have a white or Nordic-style tree and one small cat, and you don't mind washing by hand.
4. Best for Cats That Climb: PetSafe ScatMat Indoor Pet Training Mat
A cat sitting under a decorated Christmas tree (stock photo, not the exact product).
This clear mat beeps or gives a mild static pulse, a small zap, when a pet steps on it. It has seven modes, and PetSafe suggests putting it in front of the Christmas tree. It comes in a curved 50 × 12 in size made for trees, and after the holidays it rolls up for counters and sofas.
A deterrent, not a bed: it's there to correct your cat, not to comfort it. It covers a strip in front of the tree, not a full ring, and it runs on a 9V battery that isn't included. PetSafe's guide also says to adjust the settings first and train your cat slowly.
Consider it if your cat climbs no matter what and ignores beds, and you're OK using a training mat.
5. Best Plain Tree Skirt: Pottery Barn Luxe Faux Fur Tree Skirt
A decorated Christmas tree with a tree skirt in a living room (stock photo, not the exact product).
This large reversible skirt measures about 60 in across. One side is polyester faux fur, and the other is soft velboa, a short and velvety fabric. It closes with three ties, covers the base of a big tree and looks soft and full in photos.
Nothing for your cat to do: it lies flat, and the 7 in center opening is sized for the trunk. Pottery Barn's own page suggests dry cleaning, and we could only read its Australian site.
Pick it if your cat ignores the tree and you only want the base to look finished.
Give your cat a plush tunnel to race through and a soft donut bed to nap in. One cat tunnel bed, 3 shapes, ...
Cat Tunnel Tree Skirt vs. a Regular Tree Skirt
What is a cat tunnel tree skirt?
A cat tunnel tree skirt is a soft tunnel ring that sits around the tree stand. Your cat can run, hide and nap at the bottom of the tree, so the base becomes its play spot.
How it differs from a regular tree skirt
A regular tree skirt is a flat circle of fabric that covers the stand and the floor under the tree. It hides the stand and any water bowl, and it frames the presents. Here's how the two compare:
- Purpose: a tunnel gives your cat something to do. A flat skirt only covers the base.
- Shape: a tunnel stands about 10 in tall. A flat skirt lies on the floor.
- Center opening: this is the hole in the middle. A tunnel needs room for the whole stand, while a flat skirt only needs room for the trunk.
- After December: a tunnel can become a cat bed. A flat skirt goes back in the box.
How to Choose a Cat Tunnel Tree Skirt
Four checks tell you if a tunnel skirt will work under your tree. Fit comes first, because a ring that can't go around the stand won't work as a skirt. Go through them in this order.
Measure your tree stand
Measure the stand at its widest point, legs included, because the hole in the middle of the tunnel has to be wider. Ours is about 15.7 in (40 cm) with the cushion out. If a listing doesn't give the hole size, ask the seller before you buy.
Plan for a cat running laps
A cat racing around the ring can bump the stand, so plan for it. Use a heavy stand and tie the top of the tree to a hook on the wall. Also keep the tree away from furniture your cat could jump from.
Check what goes in the washing machine
A tunnel on the floor picks up fur, needles and dust, so washing matters. Look for a cushion or cover that comes out and goes in the machine. Then read the whole listing, since some say "hand wash only" in another spot.
Think about January
A tunnel skirt is worth the money only if it keeps working after the holidays. Pick one that turns into a bed or a play tunnel once the tree comes down, so it earns its place all year.
How to Set Up a Cat Tunnel Under Your Christmas Tree
Set the tunnel down before the tree goes up, so you never have to lift a decorated tree. These seven steps cover the setup, plus what to do when the tree comes down.
- Pick the spot: keep the tree away from shelves, sofas and cat trees your cat could jump from.
- Measure the stand: check that it fits inside the center opening.
- Lift out the center cushion and set the ring on the floor.
- Set up the tree: stand it inside the ring and tighten the stand.
- Tie the top: fix the top of the tree to a wall hook with fishing line or string.
- Wait to decorate: give it a few days, so your cat gets used to the tree first.
- Once the tree comes down, put the cushion back. Then move the bed to your cat's favorite nap spot.
How to Cat-Proof Your Christmas Tree
A tunnel keeps your cat busy at the bottom of the tree, and a few habits protect the rest of it. Pet Poison Helpline and the Cornell Feline Health Center suggest these:
- Choose an artificial tree: Pet Poison Helpline [1] says an artificial tree keeps sap, tree water and pine needles away from your cat.
- Anchor the tree: secure it at the top and the bottom [1]: use a heavy stand and tie the top to the wall.
- Hang breakables up high: put ornaments that won't shatter on the lower branches, and tie them on with cloth loops instead of hooks, as the Cornell Feline Health Center [2] suggests.
- Cover cords and the water bowl: cats sometimes chew through light strands, which can shock them [1], and Cornell says to keep the stand's water plain, with no chemicals added [2]. Cord covers and a skirt or tunnel over the stand help keep both out of reach.
- Give your cat its own spot: a tunnel or a bed near the tree gives your cat a better place to be.
Important: don't use tinsel on a tree your cat can reach. The ASPCA [3] warns that swallowed tinsel can block your cat's gut. If you think your cat swallowed some, call your vet right away.
Shopping for more than a tree skirt? Our guide to the best Christmas gifts for cats sorts gifts by the kind of cat you have.
Is Our Tunnel Bed the Right Tree Skirt for Your Cat?
If your cat never goes near the tree, a flat skirt does the job for less. If your cat stalks the ornaments or climbs, a tunnel skirt gives it something better to do. Here's who ours suits and what comes with it.
Who should get our tunnel bed for the tree?
- Cats that bat ornaments or climb the lower branches
- Homes with a standard tree stand that fits a 15.7 in opening
- Owners who want the skirt to work as a bed too
- Homes with two cats, since one can nap while the other plays
If your cat ignores the tree completely, a plain tree skirt is the simpler choice. Very wide stands won't fit the 15.7 in opening. If yours is wide, set the bed beside the tree instead, and your cat still gets its own spot.
Count the months it's useful
A flat tree skirt works about one month a year. This one is a tree skirt in December, then a bed and tunnel for the other eleven. You buy one piece instead of a tree skirt, a cat bed and a play tunnel.
Size, colors and what comes with it
One size, 33.5 in (85 cm) across and 10.2 in (26 cm) tall: the center opening is about 15.7 in (40 cm) with the cushion out, and it's made for cats up to about 15 lb (6.8 kg). After the holidays, it folds into a 12.6 × 12.6 × 4.7 in box.
3 colors to match your tree: Frost Gray, Rainbow or Honey Lattice. Two beds in any colors save you $5 on each.
$69.99, free worldwide shipping and 100-day returns: you have 100 days from delivery to send it back. Not sure it will fit your stand? Email us its width, and our team answers within 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Shop the 3-in-1 Cat Tunnel Bed: free worldwide shipping, 100-day returns
Conclusion: Which Cat Tunnel Tree Skirt Should You Get?
The best cat tunnel tree skirt fits your stand and suits how your cat treats the tree. A cat that stalks the ornaments or climbs needs something better to do at the base, while a cat that ignores the tree only needs a flat skirt. Measure the stand and anchor the tree first, and you get a steadier tree and a happier cat.
If you're looking for one tunnel skirt that still works after December, the 3-in-1 Cat Tunnel Bed is a great choice. It gives your cat its own play spot under the tree, then turns back into a bed once the tree comes down. It costs $69.99, and you can choose Frost Gray, Rainbow or Honey Lattice to match your tree.
Have questions about whether it will fit your tree stand? Contact us at support@wakapaw.com with your stand's width. Our team responds within 24 hours, 7 days a week.
FAQs
What is the best cat tunnel tree skirt?
The 3-in-1 Cat Tunnel Bed is our pick. It lists its center opening, about 15.7 in, and the cushion goes in the washing machine. It also turns into a bed or tunnel after the holidays.
Do cat tunnel tree skirts work?
They can help a curious cat. A tunnel gives your cat a place to play and nap at the base, which can draw its attention away from the branches. It won't stop a cat that's set on climbing, so anchor the tree too.
Will a tree skirt keep my cat out of the tree?
A flat skirt won't, because it only covers the stand and water bowl. A tunnel skirt gives your cat something to do at the base. Tying the tree to the wall and hanging breakables up high do the rest.
How do I stop my cat from knocking over the Christmas tree?
Use a heavy stand, and tie the top of the tree to a wall hook. Keep it away from furniture your cat can jump from.
Is a real or artificial tree better with cats?
Pet Poison Helpline suggests an artificial tree [1]. There's no sap, tree water or fallen pine needles for your cat to swallow.
Can I use a Christmas tree cat tunnel after the holidays?
Yes, if it turns into a bed or play tunnel. Ours is a tree skirt in December, then a bed and tunnel for the other eleven months. Once the tree comes down, put the cushion back and move it to your cat's favorite nap spot.
Will a cat tunnel fit around my Christmas tree?
Measure your tree stand at its widest point, legs included. Our tunnel's center opening is about 15.7 in (40 cm) with the cushion out, so a stand narrower than that fits inside the ring.
Sources
- Pet Poison Helpline, Cats and Christmas Trees, read November 11, 2026.
- Cornell Feline Health Center, Beware Holiday Hazards, read November 11, 2026.
- ASPCA, Holiday Safety Tips, read November 11, 2026.
