So much food…so much entertaining…so many decorations…so many ways for kitty to get into trouble!
With the holidays right around the corner, here are some tips to keep your furry companion safe and happy as you celebrate.
- Anything new, particularly anything shiny, can be irresistible to a cat and especially to a kitten. Think shiny Christmas ornaments, tinsel, ribbons and string. Any of these items, if ingested, can cause serious problems ranging from internal inflammation and discomfort to tearing of the intestinal walls. If your kitty has eaten any of these things, do not attempt any treatment on your own, rather get kitty to the vet as soon as possible.
- If you have an acrobatic performer be sure your Christmas tree is securely anchored in case kitty decides to go vertical. If kitty causes the tree to fall, she might escape OK but the tree and all its decorations likely won’t.
- Keep the tree water container covered so kitty cannot take a drink. The water might contain harmful fertilizers or pesticides, pine oils and even pine needles all of which can cause stomach upset and possibly intestinal blockage in the case of pine needles.
- Christmas lights often mean extra cords which can also be attractive to your cat or kitten. Chewing an electrical cord, if it’s plugged in, can cause kitty to get an electric shock or a bad burn on her tongue, both of which require immediate veterinarian attention.
- During the holidays there may be more and different food around. Kitty will be better off if she doesn’t get treats from the holiday table but instead sticks to her normal diet. Be especially careful if you have chocolate around because it is poisonous to cats. Unsweetened or baking chocolate is much more potent than milk chocolate and therefore more dangerous. As little as 1-2 ounces is potentially fatal.
- Safeguard kitty from Christmas plants like mistletoe, holly, poinsettias and especially any type of lily. Some types of these plants are very poisonous while other types just cause gastrointestinal upset. But since you’re not likely to know which types are more dangerous better to be safe than sorry and keep all plant material away from kitty.
- Kitty can become stressed during the holidays if her normal routine is interrupted because of house guests or festive gatherings with lots of people. Be sure to dedicate a little time each day to pay attention to her – play or cuddle. Also provide her with a safe get-away place equipped with water, a litter box and a soft place to sleep if the festivities get a bit overwhelming for her.
Ask the rest of your family and any guests to observe these safety tips. That way, everyone, especially kitty, will have a happy and safe holiday season.