While we humans relish the hustle, bustle, and merriment of the holidays, our feline family members might not feel the same way. In fact, some things about the holidays could cause a complete and total feline tragedy!
The 5 Tips on How to Keep Your Cat Safe at Christmas
1. Decorations
Bring out the holly, the tinsel, the tree, the menorah, and even holiday costumes, but remember that all of these things can be frightening — and even dangerous — to your cat.
- Holiday decorations with glue and glitter may attract your cat but can cause harm if eaten. Hang those adornments high on your tree or mantel. better yet: Avoid them.
- If you put up a tree, your cat might try to climb it. Noses and tails can knock over low-hanging ornaments, and your cat could get hurt on the broken pieces. Keep breakable ornaments up high.
- Poinsettia plants and lilies are among the most toxic plants to cats and can be fatal if eaten. Skip them if you have a cat.
- Be careful using menorahs or other types of candles. Noses and tails could get burned if your cat investigates. Tip: Give faux flame candles a try.
- As for dressing up your cat, consider the cat. Most cats don’t enjoy wearing any type of outfit. Wearing it can cause your cat discomfort and stress. behavioral issues could result, too.
2. Holiday Parties
Friends and family pop in and out of your house during the holidays. but your kitty can become stressed with all the strange people, new sounds and smells, and other animals your family members may bring with them.
- Under normal circumstances, your cat might not think about darting out the door. but cats under stress can — and usually do — behave unpredictably. The sight of a house full of strangers can scare your cat, and all the opening and closing of your front door could also give her ample opportunity to escape into the night.
- If you have a party, put your cat in a separate room with a cozy bed, his favorite treats, their litter box and perhaps even some soothing music. Put a do Not Enter sign on the door.
- Ask friends and family to kindly leave their pets at home.
3. Boxes and Wrapping
This is a fun opportunity for your cat during Christmas. Cats love boxes and will be interested and even excited seeing them all being wrapped, and then unwrapped.
We all know, “if they fits, they sits,” so you can’t blame your cat for horning in on your gift exchanges. Letting her play among the empty boxes and paper as you unwrap presents will make her feel a part of the celebration. However, here are some important considerations:
- Be careful of what you use when wrapping your gifts. Ribbon and string may be irresistible to kitty, especially if you include bells or shiny tinsel. String and ribbon can get twisted inside your cat’s intestines if swallowed, which could prove fatal.
- Wrap up a new toy or some treats for your cat, and let her have fun enjoying a safe
4. Rich Food
Nothing smells more like home than a turkey or ham roasting in the oven. Believe me, your cat agrees. But, table food is not recommended for cats because so many things we cook with can make them sick or even kill them.
- A small bite of turkey, ham, or other meats without seasoning is OK. Know that people’s food is much richer and harder to digest for your cat.
- Don’t give your cat raw meat or eggs, because of the risk of salmonella.
- Keep your cat away from onions, garlic, raisins, grapes, milk, alcohol, chocolate, or caffeine. All can cause gastrointestinal distress, and some can be fatal.
- Sugary goodies are always bad.
Before introducing any new food item you’re unsure about to your cat’s diet, it’s always best to check with a veterinarian first. It important to be sure about which foods are safe for cats and which are not.
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5. Being Left Alone or Being Boarded
Many people travel for the holidays. While some travel for just a few days, others are away for a few weeks, which creates a dilemma: What to do with kitty?
Leaving your cat home alone for long periods can cause stress and separation anxiety, especially if your cat is already the needy type. But, you can cut down on how stressful it is for them.
- If possible, it’s better for your cat to be home than to be boarded, which may cause anxiety, put them at risk of contagious diseases, and may even result in the development of behavior issues later.
- Hire a professional pet sitter, or someone you trust, to visit your cat daily. She should provide playtime and snuggles for your cat, not just feed her and rush out the door.
- Leave something you’ve worn spread out on your bed or sofa, so your cat will feel more secure while you are away.
- Use a calming pheromone plug while she’s home alone.
With all the celebrating, it’s easy for your cat to feel neglected. Give her extra playtime and love during the season. A new toy or delectable treat will make her feel like she’s part of the family celebration, too.
Conclusion
The holidays are filled with excitement and fun, but for our feline companions, it can be overwhelming. If we know what they need and what may be dangerous to them, we can make adjustments to create a safer and stress-free environment for everyone, like removing toxic plants and delicate decorations.
Make sure to monitor your cat around holiday foods. If you want to make them feel included in the festivities, you can always provide safe alternatives. If you’ll be traveling and want to minimize your cat’s anxiety, consider hiring a trusted pet sitter to maintain your cat’s routine.
Prioritizing your cat’s well-being during Christmas is all about preparation, attention, and love so you can celebrate responsibly and stress-free.
Featured Image Credit: GolubaPhoto, Shutterstock
The 5 Tips on How to Keep Your Cat Safe at Christmas
2 Responses
Seasons Greetings!!!! What a wonderful and informative article. I’m proud to say that I’m ’owned’ by multiple cats and holidays can be stressful. My biggest concerns are the cats getting on the counter and eating the foods that are fresh to put in the oven or have been taken out and settling before serving. So many things they could get into. It’s a given that they seem to gravitate to things they aren’t supposed to have. I think I may put them in another room while preparing dinner. I always save them a little unseasoned turkey for their very own Christmas dinner. I love Christmas trees, but because of my fur babies, I don’t put one up. Holidays are great and with keeping a watchful eye, it’s great for cats also.
Hi Erica M, thanks for your comment we are delighted to hear you found our post useful. It's great you prepare some unseasoned turkey for your furry babies and it is great to hear you prioritize their safety over decorations during the holiday season. Merry Christmas!