For many of us, Thanksgiving is the holiday where we enjoy the company of our family, and also an abundance of rich food. But with all that hectic activity, it can be easy to overlook potential dangers to your cat.

·          The arrival of company. If your cat isn’t used to many people in her home, the arrival of extended family can be unsettling. So keep your cat’s temperament in mind. If she isn’t comfortable around visitors, don’t force her to socialize. If she isn’t used to being around children, it’s crucial to make sure both the cat and kids stay safe. Let kitty sit the holiday out in a quiet room.

·          Overnight guests. Make sure everyone knows the rules regarding whether kitty is allowed outdoors or not. If your guests aren’t used to being around cats, they may not be aware of the risk of leaving the front door open.

·          All that food. Many foods meant for people aren’t safe for cats. So don’t feed her anything other than her normal food. She doesn’t need to munch on a turkey leg. And don’t sneak her any dessert either – chocolate in particular can be fatal to cats. Make sure all guests know not to offer table scraps either. Use caution during the clean-up as well, and be especially careful with turkey bones. Dispose of the turkey carcass to make sure it’s completely out of reach. You don’t want to spend Thanksgiving at the pet emergency clinic with your kitty.

·          Signs of stress. Monitor your cat during the holiday. Make sure she’s handling the increased stress, and make sure her food and litter box habits are normal.

For more information refer to the book Think Like a Cat.

© 2009 Cat Behavior Associates, LLC