Woman Uses Tangerine ‘Force Field’ To Keep Cat From Destroying Christmas Tree Every Year

Victor, a normally bold cat, harbors a peculiar fear: tangerines.

For years, his owner has noticed Victor’s unusual aversion to tangerines and similar orange-hued fruits. He keeps his distance from them — a behavior cleverly utilized by his owner each Christmas to safeguard the tree.

Victor isn’t keen on household rules, especially the important one: “avoid the Christmas tree.” Once the festive tree is erected, Victor’s owner, Irene Olocco, strategically places tangerines around it, forming a protective “shield.” This bizarre yet effective tactic prevents Victor from approaching the tree.

“I started the tangerine strategy in 2019,” Olocco shared with The Dodo. “To this day, tangerines are Victor’s kryptonite. He won’t go near the tree.”

While Olocco admits to feeling slightly remorseful for exploiting Victor’s greatest fear, the method’s success is too significant to abandon. Olocco’s other cats, Gedeone and Ferdinand, don’t share Victor’s tangerine phobia.

“Gedeone is indifferent to Christmas decor, and tangerines don’t bother him,” Olocco commented. “Ferdinand is more playful. He doesn’t mess with the tree, but he does toy with the tangerines, occasionally breaching the protective circle. When that happens, Victor is always poised to dart under the tree.”

Victor’s annual struggle is real: his desire to wreak havoc on the Christmas tree is strong, but his dread of tangerines is stronger. Each year, the citrus fruits triumph in their role as festive guardians.”