A savvy cat owner has revealed how she stops her pet from clawing at the Christmas tree.

Irene Olocco, from Turin, Italy shared an image of her cat Jojo Grassojo next to a grandly decorated Christmas tree.

But the AirBnB host stopped the kitty from attacking the festive decorations by making a ring of tangerines around it.

Sharing the sweet snap to the Facebook group Powerful Cats Auraposting, she wrote: 'My cat is afraid of tangerines, so I've created a force field to protect the Christmas tree.'

Irene Olocco, from Turin, Italy shared an image of her cat Jojo Grassojo next to a grandly decorated Christmas tree. But the AirBnB host stopped the kitty from attacking the festive decorations by making a ring of tangerines around it

The post, which has since racked up more than 52,000 shares was deemed 'adorable' and 'genius' by Facebook users.

Many pointed out the comical side, with the fluffy moggy hiding in the corner away from the tree.

One wrote: 'Genius, stunning and brave', while another added, 'May the force be with you'.

A third said: 'This is incredible. This really is the smartest thing I've ever seen'.

The post, which has since racked up more than 52,000 shares was deemed 'adorable' and 'genius' by Facebook users.

Meanwhile, others others joked that they would try it with their own cats.

Why do cats dislike citrus? There's no scientific explanation, but anecdotal evidence from pet owners suggests that a lot of cats don't like citrus smells. Websites advised using whole fruit of peel as a natural deterrent, or making a spray with the juice. Advertisement

wrote.

Another said: 'Most cats hate the citrus smell of oranges! I used orange peels in my palm trees to stop one of my cats from using it as her new bathroom. Worked like a charm.'

While a third joked: 'I tried this with my cat! It worked! Until he realised the citrus circle was not complete. He snuck under the tree from the back, but stayed hidden in the corner away from the grapefruit haha'.

Citrus fruits such as tangerines and oranges have a very strong scent which can repel cat's sensitive noses.

It comes after pet owners went online to share their cat's funniest resting places, baffled by how they managed to squeeze into the tightest spots.

In one case two kittens decided a double bowl would be the most convenient place for them to settle down, while elsewhere a grumpy cat folded himself into a vase, and another chose a violin case as the perfect sleeping area.