It’s the most wonderful time of the year–let’s make sure our cats agree! Because what is festive fun for us can be downright dangerous for the cats and kittens in our lives.
Alley Cat Allies is here to help the whole family have happy holidays. These are our Top 10 Holiday Cat Safety Tips. Read them all here.
IMPORTANT: If you suspect your cat ingested a substance or food that could be poisonous to them, contact the Pet Poison Helpline immediately at 855-764-7661.
1. Holiday Foods Belong on Our Plates, Not in Cats’ Bowls
Chocolates, candies, and alcohol of all kinds (yes, including your favorite eggnog) should be kept out of reach of cats and other animals. Additionally, cooked bones can splinter and cause lethal harm when ingested.
In general, too much rich, fatty food can do damage to cats’ health and wellbeing. Check out your local pet store for animal-friendly holiday treats!
2. Cat-Proof Your Christmas Tree
If not set up properly, a Christmas tree can come crashing down if a cat climbs onto it. Secure Christmas trees to a wall with hooks and fishing line to prevent a curious cat from knocking it over.
3. Consider Artificial Holiday Plants
Favorites like poinsettias, holly, and mistletoe are poisonous to cats. Some live trees also sit in a bowl of water and fertilizer, and your cat could think that water is for them to drink!
If you have a cat with a habit of gnawing on plants, consider artificial plants instead. There are plenty of artificial options for Christmas trees, wreaths, and more.
4. Be Mindful of Decorations
Ornaments seem like toys to cats, but may break easily in their paws and cause injury. If you know your cats like to bat at the ornaments on your Christmas tree, hang them higher and out of reach. Fake snow can be made of chemicals that can cause fatal liver damage in cats or risk a blockage if ingested. We recommend not decorating with it.
5. Watch the Gift Wrappings, Too
Ribbons, tinsel, and confetti can be very dangerous to pets. If eaten, these items can become entangled in the digestive tract and require life-saving surgery. Make sure these items are out of reach of cats.
6. Tape Down Those Holiday Lights
Strings of lights can pose a hazard for cats getting tangled in the strings or burning themselves by chewing the wires. Look for options like LED lights instead. Tape down all lights so they aren’t dangling and tempting cats to play with them.
7. Watch Cats Around Open Flames
Cats can burn themselves on candles, or even knock them over and start a fire. If you choose to use real candles, make sure the candleholder is safe and sturdy–or look into flameless candles. Make sure fireplaces are properly closed off.
8. Keep Cats Calm During Holiday Festivities
You love your guests, but your cats may become stressed out with so many people in their space! Add good food and drink, and many households during the holidays can become quite loud.
Give your cats a quiet space to escape , and close them in if necessary. Make sure the room has litter, food, and water, as well as a few of their favorite things. Choose a room cats already enjoy hanging out in.
9. If You’re Traveling, Keep Cats at Home
If you’re traveling, consider having a cat sitter check in on your cats rather than bringing them with you or having them boarded. Cats will be far less stressed if they stay in their own home, and you’ll avoid any dangerous mishaps or escapes that could occur on the road or in the airport.
10. Microchip Your Cats
If your cat slips out the door and becomes lost when guests arrive, packages are delivered, or carolers stop by, a microchip can help ensure she can return home. Learn more at alleycat.org/MicrochipsSaveLives.
From all of us at Alley Cat Allies: Have a very happy holiday!