Problem Solving & Advice by Pam Johnson-Bennett Cat Behavior Expert & Best-selling Author
As Christmas approaches, the whirlwind of preparations begins – shopping, decorating, baking, and all of the joyful chaos associated with this wonderful season. Since there are so many changes that take place in the household at this time of year, it’s crucial not to overlook your cat’s safety and health. Take a few minutes to review the checklist below to help ensure your pet stays safe, comfortable, and content during this busy time.
The Christmas Tree
The tree is often the centerpiece of home decorating, but it also becomes an enticing playground for your cat Make sure the tree is secure and won’t topple over to prevent any mishaps. Consider leaving the tree up undecorated for a day or two, allowing your cat to familiarize herself with this new addition before adding those tempting ornaments.
Choose a sturdy and secure tree stand. If your cat is insistent on turning the tree into a climbing adventure, try using picture wire for added support. Remove any hanging pictures behind the tree, attach the wire to the tree, and anchor it to the wall. After the holidays, when you take the tree down, the replaced picture will conceal any small holes, leaving no trace.
If you have a live tree, cover the water reservoir with netting or aluminum foil across the opening. It’s important to prevent the cat from drinking the water in the reservoir. Water additives used to preserve tree life are toxic to cats.
Choose Artificial
If you’re worried you won’t be able to deter your cat from chewing on the needles, or staying away from the water reservoir no matter how hard you try, you’d be better off with an artificial tree.
Lights and Wires
To reduce the chance your pet will chew on Christmas light electrical wires, coat them with a bitter anti-chew substance before wrapping them around the tree. Make sure lights are secured around branches and not dangling in order to reduce temptation.
Use pet-safe cord covers on wires going from the tree to the electrical outlet. There are many brands available (check on Amazon) and they’re easy to attach to the wires.
Ornaments
Dangling ornaments can be hard for a pet to resist. Don’t decorate the very bottom of the tree to reduce the temptation as a small cat walks by. Don’t use ornament hooks which can cause internal injury if chewed or swallowed. Instead, secure the ornaments with green twist ties so they’ll stay securely on the branches.
Garland
It can be a choking hazard if your cat climbs the tree and gets caught up in the garland. Some cats may also try to chew on the garland.
Candles
Place candles well out of a cat’s reach and never leave a lighted candle unattended. To be safest, use the battery operated candles. These candles look as good as the real thing and most have a realistic flicker) and a timer.
Gifts and Wrapping
Avoid leaving gifts under the tree that have long ribbon tendrils or other decorations that your pet could chew.
Holly and Other Holiday Plants
Many holiday plants can cause vomiting and intestinal upset. If you’re decorating with live plants, make sure they’re well out of your pet’s reach. To be safest, use artificial plant decorations.
Guests
When there’s a flurry of visitors to the home, it can be easy for a small cat to slip out the front door. To ensure your cat’s safety with all the hustle and bustle occurring, designate a specific room where your cat can stay undisturbed. This not only helps prevent accidental escapes, but also shields her from being inadvertently stepped on or overwhelmed by any unwanted attention or handling. If your cat isn’t used to the heightened noise levels, a separate room will provide a calmer environment.
Holiday Foods
Beware of the dangers certain foods pose to cats. Chocolate, in particular, is highly toxic to them. If you plan to have chocolate treats or any other non-feline-safe foods around, ensure they’re out of your cat’s reach. Additionally, rich and fatty holiday foods can cause digestive distress for cats. Ingredients like garlic, onions, grapes, raisins, and various spices commonly used in holiday recipes are also hazardous for your cat. If your cat has a penchant for swiping food, consider keeping her in a separate room during meal times. If she loves mingling with your guests, inform everyone that table scraps aren’t suitable for her and are strictly off-limits.
Holiday Cocktails
Keep your cat away from any alcoholic drinks. Some people think it’s funny to allow the pet to drink a little alcohol but it’s VERY dangerous and can be fatal.
Toys
Ensure the safety of toys when shopping for your cat. Despite the image you may be used to seeing of a kitten playing with a ball of yarn – it’s actually unsafe. Don’t give your cat any toys for solo play that contain yarn or string. The only stringed toys you should ever use are the interactive fishing pole toys where you can supervise and guide the play.
Additionally, inspect all toy components for safety. Pull off any glued-on pieces as they often aren’t securely attached and could be swallowed by your cat. For households with dogs, be mindful that they might easily chew up any small cat toys you’ve purchased.
Medication
Being an experienced cat parent, you understand the importance of keeping medication out of kitty’s reach. When hosting overnight guests, however, they might not have that same level of awareness. Instruct them not to leave small pill bottles accessible and to never leave any loose pills sitting out.
Watch for Stress
As wonderful as the holiday season is, it also can be a very stressful time, and your cat can be just as vulnerable. Don’t get so busy and caught up in the holiday hustle and bustle that you miss any warning signs indicating your cat is getting overwhelmed.
Need More Information?
For more information about cat behavior and training, refer to the best-selling books by Pam Johnson-Bennett. Pam’s books are available at bookstores and online. We’ve included links to Amazon here on our website.
If you have a question regarding your cat’s health, please contact your veterinarian. This article is not intended as a replacement for your cat’s veterinary care.
