• Home
  • About
    • Privacy
    • Resources for Cat Lovers
  • Contact
  • Sitemap
  • Articles
    • Cat Health
    • Cat Safety
  • Quotes About Cats
  • Posters & Prints
    • Siamese Cat Posters
    • Black Cat Posters
    • Kitten Posters
    • Big Cat Posters and Art Prints

Cat Pause

Cat Toys, Gift Ideas for Cat Lovers, Cat Furniture...

  • Cat Health
  • Cat Safety
  • Cat Furniture
    • Cat Beds
    • Cat Houses
    • Cat Trees
    • Scratching Posts
  • Cat Shop
    • Cat Food
    • Cat Toys
    • Pictures of Cats
  • The Pampered Pet
  • For the Cat Lover
    • Cat Art Prints
    • Gifts for Cat Lovers
    • Salt & Pepper Shakers
    • Humor
    • Cat Videos
  • Personal
    • Adam
    • Alexa
    • Bo
    • Bullet
    • Carly
    • Fatima
    • Janie
    • Hannah
    • Jelly Bean
    • Ming Li
    • Peanut Butter
    • Prissy
    • Svenn
You are here: Home / Articles / Cat Health / A Few Reminders for Cat Safety During the Holidays

A Few Reminders for Cat Safety During the Holidays

November 30, 2011 By Joi

I may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. This costs you absolutely no extra money (of course), it simply allows me to maintain the lifestyle my cats are accustomed to!

Cat health and safety tips during the holidays

Like all kids, cats love the holidays.  One of the highlights each year for me is seeing the reactions of our cats when the Christmas tree, ornaments, lights, and all the other decorations come out.  Their eyes light up as they insist on getting right in the middle of everything!

While cats make the holidays even sweeter, it’s a time when we have to pay close attention to potential dangers for our little ones. Many of the following definitely fall under the heading “common sense,” but we all get so busy this time of year, sometimes we need a few reminders.  Our cats lives are definitely worth the extra time it takes to read over cat safety tips, so let’s have at it.

  1. Even though it’s tempting to give our cats “special treats” such as ham, turkey, whipping cream, icing, etc during the holidays, come up with a better plan.  Buy special Cat Treats and dole them out instead. Cat’s insides are very, very special and they simply can’t process the food that we’re able to process. Why take chances, right?
  2. Make certain your Christmas tree is VERY secure and stable.  Many cats like to climb them (Prissy always did!) and the last thing you want is the tree toppling down on top of your cat.
  3. If you have a live tree, be sure your cat doesn’t drink from the water. Cover it in some fashion. Stagnate water is a health hazard, for one thing, and for another who knows what kind of chemicals or fertilizers could transfer from the tree into the water. This water could make your cat very sick at best and could prove poisonous at worst.
  4. If you have cats (or dogs or small children for that matter) in your house, you’d be better off avoiding tinsel altogether.  Cats find tinsel completely irresistible – so shiny and easy to play with! However, tinsel easily gets into their digestive tract and can cause obstruction (which requires surgery and a great amount of pain for your cat).
  5. Tissue paper, popular for putting in gift bags, is something else that cats can get into their digestive system, which would then wreak havoc.  If you use tissue paper, make certain it’s closed up tightly within the bag and be sure to throw it all away immediately upon opening.
  6. Beware of long ribbons as well.  Cats can get them wrapped around their necks, creating a choking risk.  They’ve also been known to get these ribbons stuck in their throats.
  7. Never leave burning candles unattended, for obvious reasons.
  8. Anything that involves burning oil, melted wax, or flames is simply too risky. Potpourri pots can EASILY be pulled down by a cat who is either attacking the cord or simply running from one place to another.  Again, it’s just not worth the risk.
  9. Cats LOVE gift bags – the bright, fun, “crinkly” bags spell GOOD TIMES to an inquisitive little girl or boy!  I always leave a few lying around for Alexa, much to her delight.  However, I make certain that the strings are unattached – the larger bags are especially dangerous (the ribbon loops look like little nooses!).
  10. I already mentioned “treats,” but this one merits its own mention: Chocolate is a huge NO NO for cats (dogs too). Chocolate can poison a cat, plain and simple.  Also, make certain your cats never eat anything containing xylitol.  Again, what’s the best way to make sure your cat doesn’t digest food that’ll harm her? Feed her only cat treats and cat food.  Also, remember that just because you don’t hand it to your cat doesn’t mean she can’t get to it! Keep candy and all other foods out of your cat’s reach.
  11. No doubt you (like me) fill your cat’s stocking with toys and special treats.  Make sure the toys, themselves, are safe. It’s always best to buy specially made cat toys because you pretty much know for certain they won’t contain poisonous paint or harmful parts. Cat toy manufacturers have a lot of codes they have to live up to and that always makes me feel safer. Remember that long, stringy toys can cause a lot of nightmares, as can small parts that can come off and lodge in your cat’s throat or intestines.
  12. Make sure no turkey or ham bones are given to your cat and be sure they’re disposed of properly.
  13. Keep Holly (the plant, not a relative!) out of the home.  Holly can cause pets to suffer needlessly with nausea and diarrhea.
  14. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset as well as cardiovascular problems.
  15. Many lilies lead to kidney failure and death for cats.  Why take any chances?  Buy artificial plants and keep your cat safe and healthy.
  16. If there’s a lot of commotion, noise, and guests, some cats may want to retreat to another room for some much needed peace and relaxation.  If this is the case, be certain they have their essentials nearby: Litter box, water, food, and a comfortable place to sleep.  If your cat does seek refuge, don’t try to coax her out – she’ll come out when she feels ready.

Finally, remember three facts that are essential for cat health and safety:

  1. Cats are small children in fur coats. Everything is a toy and everything is a game.  Like children, they cannot discern what is safe and what isn’t. It’s up to us. To keep them safe, we have to think like they do and look at the world from their viewpoint. Seek out anything that poses a threat to your cat and remove the danger.
  2. Cats are perhaps the most emotionally in-tuned animal in the world.  They’re like emotional sponges, as one vet put it. They pick up on our moods as well as the excitement going on around them. Sometimes the chaos and excitement will cause them to act differently than normal. They may sleep more, may be cranky, or may need more of your attention and reassurance.
  3. Cats aren’t wild about change. They crave consistency and want their little world to pretty much stay the same. Same feeding schedule, same play time, same “couch time,” and same television routine!  Cats feel stress and nothing causes them to stress out quite like change, so keep things as normal as you possibly can during the holidays.  Also, cats HATE sharing their parents with other people or situations. They want their mom and dad’s attention and feel distress when they feel that someone or something else is taking any of this attention away from them. If children (or Heaven forbid other pets!) come into your home during the holidays, be sure to reassure your cat(s) and involve them in everything you possibly can.

I hope you and your cats have a fun, safe, and wonderful Christmas and holiday season!  I’ll be adding more cat lovers gift ideas, cat toys, and cat ornaments – so watch for them.

Filed Under: Cat Health, Cat Safety Tagged With: Cat Health, Cat Safety, poisonous plants for cats


You NEED This Book!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Magic of Cats

Chicken Soup for the Soul’s wonderfully entertaining and inspirational The Magic of Cats. My oldest daughter, Emily, has a story about one of my grandcats (“Eddie”) in this collection!

MinJee

Beautiful “MinJee”
We have inside and outside cats and we love them all like family. The beauty, above, is MinJee and she is as sweet as she is gorgeous.

If the spoiled inside crew would allow it, needless to say they’d ALL be inside. As it is, our outside cats have their own custom-built wooden homes and penthouses and, yes, they are all equipped with heating pads for the cold months.

We also feed and care for feral cats. Some honor us by following us home and allowing us to give them a forever home and to, more importantly, be their forever family.

Welcome to Your Cat’s Favorite Blog!

My name is Joi (“Joy”) and, simply put, cats make my world go round! Please e-mail me with any questions regarding the cat blog.

Disclaimer: As someone who works full-time from home, I use affiliate links when posting about cat furniture, toys, litter boxes, etc. I make a small amount of money each time someone clicks through and purchases a product they see on my blog. This costs you absolutely no extra money whatsoever. It simply allows me to provide my cats with the lifestyle they’ve grown accustomed to!

Let’s Connect

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Gorgeous Cat Tree!

Cat Tree

New on the Cat Blog

  • Adorable Japanese Style Tea Kettle for Cat Lovers
  • Gorgeous Succulent Planters for Cat Lovers (Great Gift Idea)
  • Beautiful Black Cat Butter Dish (Makes a Purrfect and Unique Gift Idea!)
  • Wonderful T-Shirt for Cat Lovers who Also Love Books!
  • Beautiful Cat Kitchen Oven Mitts: Beautiful Gift Idea for Cat Lovers
  • Automated Cat Toy: Endless Fun and Entertainment for Your Cat(s)!
  • Beautiful Personalized Cat Christmas Ornaments
  • Mischievous Cat Garden Statue: Look Out, Gnomes!

#1 Best-Seller on Amazon


The Curious Cat Cube, Cat House / Cat Condo is currently the #1 Best-Seller on Amazon in Cat Houses & Condos.

An Ingenious Litter Box…


The Open Top Cat Litter Box Kit with Shield and Scoop is a number 1 best-seller on Amazon and has excellent reviews.

Christmas EVERYDAY!


If you're like me, you love nothing more than seeing your cat(s) with new toys. This collection of cat toys will make everyday feel like Christmas!

Cat Tunnel..


The adorable cat tunnel will give your cat(s) endless fun as they explore every nook and cranny!

Photographs on the Blog

I do not claim to have taken all of the photographs on this website. I did not take any of the “product” or “affiliate” merchandise photos  (unless I am reviewing a product, in which case it will be marked “Review”), nor do I claim to own them. If you are a photographer that sees something you want removed, simply e-mail me.

Keep Your Indoor Cat Active and Entertained

Alexa

Tips for Keeping Your Indoor Cat Entertained!

Copyright Cat-Pause 2020