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.
Tasty Tips
Gift Wrapping
Packing peanuts, ribbons and string can all entice your cat. While these items might seem like perfectly suitable toys to your kitty, keep them out of your cat's reach. They can all be choking hazards or cause an obstruction if swallowed.
Candles
From Hanukkah to Christmas to Kwanzaa, candles are a big part of many holiday celebrations. Always supervise your cat near an open flame, and blow candles out when you're not in the room. In addition to the risk of burned noses, toes and whiskers, some curious kitties can knock candles over, which can start a fire.
Plants
Several popular holiday plants pose health risks to cats if ingested, including poinsettias, mistletoe, lilies and holly berries. If you suspect that your cat has ingested any of these plants or notice associated signs such as vomiting or diarrhea, visit your veterinarian right away. Keep these plants securely out of reach when celebrating the holidays with your cats or skip them entirely.
Include Your Kitty in the Fun
Here are a few ideas for including your favorite furry pal in your holiday traditions:
Get Them a New Toy
A holiday-themed cat toy laced with catnip will help keep your kitty distracted and out of trouble while you trim the tree or wrap gifts. It'll also be entertaining to watch them have fun batting it around the house.
Take Them (Online) Shopping
Skip the Black Friday frenzy. Instead, fix yourself a mug of hot tea, put up your slippered feet and invite your kitty to keep your lap warm while you do your holiday shopping online.
Have a Photo Shoot
Take some fun photos of your cat near the tree, beside wrapped presents or with any holiday surroundings of your choice. It might make a great holiday card — or at least a festive social media post. Check out Alley Cat Allies for some pet photography tips.
Enjoying the Holidays With Cats
However you choose to celebrate holidays with cats, the important thing is that your kitty doesn't feel neglected or ignored. Remember to give them space when the house gets noisy or crowded, too. By understanding your cat's needs and taking a few safety precautions, you'll help to make cats and holidays a compatible match.
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