The holidays are upon us with all their excitement and chaos. Yet there are some potential pitfalls for your kitty in many holiday activities and traditions. Here are some tips to keep her safe and happy during the holiday season.
Tree Decorations
Shiny, sparkly tree decorations shout “Play with Me” to your feline friend, especially if she’s a kitten. But things like ornaments, ribbon, tinsel and the like can be dangerous if kitty swallows even a piece of them. They can get tangled in her intestinal tract and cause inflammation or blockage. If you notice tinsel or string coming from kitty’s “other” end, don’t, under any circumstances, pull it as this can do significant damage. Instead take her to the vet where the foreign item can be removed safely.
Although you could supervise her play with holiday decorations, best not to get her in the habit of thinking they are toys. Instead provide toys specifically designed for her to pounce on and chase.
Holiday Food
The holidays are typically a time of delectable food treats with mouth-watering smells. Much as we enjoy this change in our regular diet, kitty will not. Some things like chocolate are poisonous for cats because of a chemical called theobromine which has caffeine-like effects. Baking chocolate is particularly toxic with only 1-2 squares having the potential to be fatal. Signs of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea and hyperactivity. Scraps from the dinner table may cause digestive upset because they are typically so much richer than kitty’s normal diet.
Plants
Our homes are frequently filled with plant material during the holidays and caution is needed here to keep kitty safe. Several varieties of mistletoe are poisonous as are virtually all types of lilies. Holly can cause gastrointestinal upset and poinsettias, although not as poisonous as most people think, do cause irritation in kitty’s mouth and intestinal problems.
Christmas Trees
Christmas trees are another danger zone for kitty. In addition to the issues mentioned above, pine needles can cause an obstruction in the intestines if ingested. And the tree water can contain pine oils, harmful fertilizer residue and bacteria, all of which can cause an upset stomach so best to block any access to the water.
Holiday Guests
The increased activity around your home, especially if you have guests, may be overwhelming for a kitty on the shy side. Be sure to provide her with a quiet space where she can escape and feel safe, supplied with a water bowl, litter box and some of her favorite toys. Give her some extra attention during quiet times to reassure her everything is OK. If, on the other hand, you have a life-of-the-party kitty who loves being in the limelight just take care that doors to the outside aren’t left open and houseguests aren’t feeding kitty things they shouldn’t.
Although it seems like the holidays are full of landmines for your furry companion, a little attention to the areas listed above should ensure that kitty enjoys the holidays as much as you do and gets through them safely.