Mixing Cats and Holidays: Tips for a Safe Season

Cats and holidays sometimes mix about as well as oil and water. Between twinkling lights, tinsel and ribbons, many new and tempting items in the house can present safety risks. There's also the potential for cats to be ignored by busy families or overstimulated by the festivities. But it doesn't have to be this way. Celebrating the holidays with cats can be safe and fun, too.

Secure a Safe Space

Provide your kitty with easy access to a calm, quiet retreat where they can chill out when the holiday hubbub becomes too much for them. This is especially key if you plan to throw parties or host out-of-town guests they're not familiar with. Even if you won't be hosting over the holidays, cats can get anxious about changes to their environment. While a tree suddenly appearing in the living room may inspire curiosity more than anything, if you have to rearrange the furniture to accommodate your tree, your cat might feel stressed. Cats and holidays can be a tricky mix!

Your cat likely already has a designated room or quiet part of the house that serves as their safe haven year-round. Whenever possible, avoid disrupting this space during the holidays and ask your guests to do the same. If you must make changes to their preferred space (say, to accommodate overnight guests), ensure that they have easy access to another calm, comfortable spot where they can get away from the activity if needed. Introduce your cat to their retreat a couple of weeks prior to the holidays, or whenever your guests plan to arrive, and make it inviting by furnishing it with their favorite bed and toys.

Otherwise, stick to their normal feeding and playtime routines as much as possible.

Establish House Rules

If you do have guests, be sure they understand that your kitty's safe space is off-limits. By all means, allow them to interact with your cat — but on your cat's terms. If children will be visiting, lay some ground rules. Show them how and where your cat likes to be pet, and teach them how to approach your kitty.

A more social cat might be willing to explore during holiday events. Tell your guests ahead of time that feeding your cat human food is off-limits and ask them not to leave their plates unattended. Cats and holidays shouldn't result in extra pounds or a trip to the emergency clinic!

Watch for Holiday Safety Risks

Celebrating the holidays with cats brings some unique dangers. By knowing what to look out for, you can help keep your cat out of harm's way.

Christmas Trees

Many cats love Christmas trees, and some will even climb and perch in them. Kittens are notorious for playing with trees, ornaments and lights. Avoid using glass ornaments, since they can break easily. And while your cat may see tinsel as a fun toy, it can require major surgery if consumed. If your cat's a chewer or simply won't leave your tree alone, you can use a barrier to block access — but don't underestimate their persistence and creativity. When celebrating the holidays with cats, avoid decorating your tree with tinsel and glass ornaments and only keep the lights plugged in when you can supervise them closely.