Christmas is the season of festive cheer, family and your cat declaring war on your decorations. If the sound of shattering ornaments has become your new holiday soundtrack, you’re not alone. Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate the season and ensure your cat (and your decorations) stay safe.
Why are cats so drawn to Christmas decorations?
To your cat, Christmas is like an amusement park. The tree is perfect for climbing, ornaments are shiny toys that move and tinsels are irresistible chews.
It is not bad behavior but natural instinct. Cats are hunters and all those sparkly moving object trigger their curiosity. So, getting angry or annoyed won’t solve the problem, but there are ways to keep your cat out of trouble.
Common hazards and how to avoid them.
- The Christmas tree: Your beautiful tree is a climbing paradise for your cat. But it comes with risks of toppling over, breaking ornaments and potential injuries to your pet. Here’s how to minimize the danger:
- Secure the tree with a sturdy base or anchor it to the wall.
- Skip decorating the lower branches to keep tempting ornaments out of reach.
- Avoid tree water additives, which can be toxic if your cat takes a sip.
- Ornaments: Broken glass can harm paws or mouths. And break your heart when your favorite ornament becomes victim to your cat’s curious paws.
- Use shatterproof ornaments.
- Secure ornaments with twist ties instead of hooks for extra stability.
- Tinsel and ribbons: As pretty as they look, tinsel and ribbons are major hazards. Cats love to chew on these shiny strings, but ingestion can lead to dangerous intestinal blockages.
- Lights and cords: Holiday lights are mesmerizing, but exposed cords pose the risk of electric shock if your cat chews on them.
- Use cord protectors to keep wires covered.
- Unplug lights when you’re not around to supervise.
- Christmas plants: Classic holiday plants like poinsettias, mistletoe and holly may be beautiful, but they’re toxic to cats.
- Opt for pet-safe alternatives or go plant-free this season.
Create a cat-safe Christmas
- Set up a space with their favorite toys, scratching posts and perhaps a window perch for bird watching. This can distract them from your holiday decor.
- Hang a few soft ornaments at the bottom of the tree. This way, if they do play, they won’t cause damage.
- Spend extra time playing with your cat to tire them out. A well exercised cat is less likely to go on a holiday rampage!
What if they still get in trouble?
Accidents happen, and cats are masters of mischief. If your cat ingests something potentially harmful or shows unusual behavior, contact your vet immediately.
With a bit of preparation and some clever strategies, you can enjoy the holidays without sacrificing your cat’s safety or your decorations. Happy Holidays from all of us. May your tree stay upright!
