The holiday season is almost here. Soon there will be parties, loud music, fireworks, glittering decorations and festive food. But is your cat safe during the holidays?
To make sure the holidays leave only happy memories, take care of your cat’s safety in advance by following these simple tips.
The Christmas Tree
Whether it’s real or artificial, a Christmas tree can be dangerous for your cat. Cats are usually fascinated by trees: they chew the branches, try to climb as high as they can and bat at the ornaments.
- Secure the tree firmly with a sturdy base, and anchor it to the wall or ceiling with fishing line or a hook so it can’t be knocked over.
- If possible, put a barrier around the tree, such as a decorative pet gate. It keeps your cat away and can look quite festive too.
- Place the tree away from furniture your cat could use as a launch pad.
- Pine needles from real trees can irritate your cat’s mouth and stomach and even puncture the gut if swallowed. Sweep up fallen needles regularly. Artificial needles can also cause blockages if chewed.
- If your tree stands in water, cover the stand so your cat can’t drink from it. Tree water can contain bacteria, sap, fertilizers and preservatives that upset a cat’s stomach.
- Hang breakable glass ornaments, edible decorations and anything with small parts or hooks on the upper branches, or skip them altogether.
Lights, Cords and Candles
Don’t leave holiday lights on unattended: many cats love to chew wires. Hide cords under rugs or behind furniture, use cord protectors or bitter-tasting anti-chew sprays, and unplug lights when you’re not around.
Never leave lit candles unattended either. Cats love to sit close to the flame, sniff it and even bat at it with their paws, which can burn whiskers and fur or knock the candle over. Consider flameless LED candles instead. Liquid potpourri and scented oils are also toxic to cats.
Tinsel, Ribbon and String
The dangers of tinsel, ribbons, curling ribbon and string can’t be stressed enough. Don’t put these decorations anywhere your cat can reach. Cats love to chew and swallow them, and they can cause a life-threatening intestinal blockage (“linear foreign body”) that requires emergency surgery. Put wrapping materials away as soon as gifts are opened.
If you see string or tinsel hanging from your cat’s mouth or bottom, don’t pull it: it could cut the intestines. Take your cat to the vet right away.
Food and Drinks
Try to keep your cat’s routine and diet as normal as possible.
Don’t feed your cat food from the table, even if you want to “spoil” it once a year. You’ll only harm its health. Holiday foods that are especially dangerous for cats include:
- turkey, chicken and ham bones, which can splinter, and fatty skin and drippings, which can cause pancreatitis;
- onions, garlic, leeks and chives, including in stuffing, gravy and sauces;
- chocolate, cocoa and coffee;
- alcohol, including eggnog, punch and rum-soaked desserts;
- raw dough containing yeast;
- grapes, raisins and currants (in fruitcake, mince pies and Christmas pudding), which are toxic to dogs and best avoided for cats too;
- sugar-free sweets, gum and baked goods containing xylitol.
Make sure trash cans and garbage bags are tightly closed. Given the chance, your cat may pull harmful scraps, such as bones and food wrapped in foil or string, out of the trash.
Guests and Noise
Lots of guests who want to cuddle your cat can be stressful. Loud voices, unfamiliar smells and especially tight hugs can upset your cat. It’s best to set up a quiet room for your cat with its familiar things: its bed, toys and a hiding place. And of course, don’t forget its litter box, food and water. Ask guests, especially children, not to disturb your cat there.
Fireworks on New Year’s Eve, the Fourth of July or Bonfire Night, with their loud bangs and bright flashes, can terrify cats. Keep your cat indoors on fireworks nights, close the windows, curtains and cat flap, and play soft music or the TV to muffle the noise. Let your cat hide if it wants to, and don’t force it out. A pheromone diffuser plugged in a week or two in advance can help. If your cat panics badly, talk to your vet about anti-anxiety medication well before the date. Read more about stress in cats.
Holiday Plants
Don’t forget about plants that are harmful to cats. You may receive beautiful but toxic flowers as gifts, in pots or bouquets:
- Lilies, often used in holiday bouquets and arrangements, are deadly to cats. Even a small amount of pollen or a nibble of a leaf can cause kidney failure. Keep them out of your home.
- Amaryllis bulbs are toxic.
- Mistletoe and holly can cause vomiting, diarrhea and, with mistletoe, more serious problems.
- Poinsettias are only mildly toxic, but can irritate the mouth and stomach.
Keep these plants well out of your cat’s reach, or choose artificial versions. Read more about plants that are poisonous to cats.
Doors and Windows
Keep outside doors closed, and make sure your cat can’t slip out through open windows while guests come and go. Stressed cats often try to find a quieter place, and curious cats may run outside and get lost. Make sure your cat is microchipped and that your contact details are up to date, and consider a breakaway collar with an ID tag.
Other Holidays
The same rules apply all year round:
- Halloween: keep candy (especially chocolate and xylitol), glow sticks and costumes away from your cat, and keep it in a quiet room away from the front door. Black cats in particular are best kept indoors around Halloween.
- Thanksgiving and other big family meals: no bones, fatty scraps or onion-laden stuffing, and secure the trash.
- Easter: lilies, chocolate eggs and plastic basket “grass” are all dangerous for cats.
We hope these tips help keep your cat safe during the holidays. If you need a laugh, check out our collection of funny cat photos.
And finally, we’d like to wish all our readers happy holidays! We wish you good health, love, happiness and lots of joyful moments with your beloved cats. Thank you for being with us!
