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String objects, especially tinsel and ribbons, are to be safeguarded
at all costs. They are thin and sharp and can wrap around intestines
or ball up in the stomach. Please be very careful with ribbon. Cats
love to play with it, but it can prove fatal to them if it is ingested. Many cats end up having emergency surgery of die from tinsel and ribbon after the holidays.
Kittens and cats can do sometimes want to climb your tree There are
several ways to help eliminate damage, to both the tree and the cats.
It is a good idea to anchor a tree to the wall and or ceiling. I use
heavy weight fishing line one you can't break without cutting it and
you can't hardly see it. A small eye hook in the ceiling above the
tree and one in the wall came give you two sources to anchor the tree
too. Just take two pieces of line tie them both to the trunk of
thetrre tie the other end to the ceiling anshor annd the other line
to the wall. This will make it almost impossible for your tree to
tip over should kitty climb it.Tree flocking is highly toxic to cats
.
If possible you may want to put the tree in a room, that you can
close the door to and keep the cats away from the tree when you are
not around to supervise.
Ornaments, beautiful, shiny, hanging balls of glass from a
tree........ Can you think of anything more certain to be a hit with
kitties? They swing when you pat at them, if they can be gotten
unbroken to the floor oh boy the roll and kitty can chance, pat and
bounce on them at least once. Plus you can hide under the tree to do
it What glorious cat fun!
If you have glass ornamets, you may want to put them higher up on the
tree. and make sure you close the end of the hangers to secure them.
Invest in some pretty, cat friendly, plastic ornamentaion for the
very bottom of the tree. It's safer, and less stressful for both
you and your cats.
The first thing any cat does is to checkout the underside of the
tree. They love laying under them. Some cats may drink tree water so
forget the tree presertives, just keep adding fresh water daily.
If kitty is a wire chewer, try some bitter apple on the tree light
cords
There are several different tree skirts or an add on piece, that can
be purchased. Which are suppose to keep cats away from the tree. I
believe you can order them from most online pet stores. You can also
try citrus fruits under the tree, such as lemons cut in half. Cats
don't like citrus.
Potpourri, incense and candles can also prove dangerous. Never leave
them burning when you are not in the room. Sinched whiskers aren't
very pretty. If your lucky enough to have a fireplace make sure that
screens are kept tightly shut when you have a fire going.
Pointsettia's can make your cat ill, but they are not toxic except
in very large amounts, such as the whole plant. So don't worry if you
see a petal or leaf has been nibbled on.
Amaryllis are toxic, as are Mistletoe and Holly. Keep these aways
from your cats.
Gift package wrapping. Curling ribbon is almost irresistable to cats.
If eaten it can cause intestinal blockage requiring ER surgery. Be
careful make sure you secure ribbon to a package tightly and waste
lots of tape. That will keep ribbon on packages and out of kitty
tummy's. Packing peanuts, that stuff we use in boxes for paddiing
around breakable, be careful kitty's will play with it and eat it too.
Christmas villages and trains are a lovely addition to your holiday
decorations. It may be prudent to secureall the pieces of your
village to a platform containing the entire village, by using
earthquke puddy or double back tape.
Christmas foods and treats can be another item kitty may want to try
or accidently get hold of can be bad for them. Keep candies and
treats off coffee tables and out of easy reach. Make sure kitchen
trash is cat proofed. A lilttle roast turkey is fine for a cat treat
as long as it's not attached to a bone.
Stress and company: With everyone coming and going, watch out for
open doors and sneaky pets. Indoor cats don't do well in snow at all.
Make sure your pets have collars and tags on in case of escape. Ask
guests to keep an eye out for pets under foot and remind them that
sometimes your normally friendly dog or cat may be less than willing
to deal with enthusiastic children and rooms full of unfamiliar
people. Place a sign on your door such as," Please be careful cats
inside". Write it on some cute holiday note paper and tuck in the
wreath hanging on your door. Provide a special quiet place with a
blanket and fresh water for your pets to retreat to when the
festivities get too stressful.
Tip: Get kitty some new toys. When ever kitty wants to play with
ornaments brake out a new toy to side track the cat. We all get so
busy it's very easy to over look your cats need at holiday time. Make
sure to make a little time just for you and cat. You 'll both be
happier.
I hope these ideas will help to make your holidays safer.
Cat Holiday Warnings
The cat is a dilettante in fur.
- - - Theophile Gautier
You can tell a cat's mood by looking into its eyes. A frightened or excited cat will have large, round pupils. An angry cat will have narrow pupils. The pupil size is related as much to the cat's emotions as to the degree of light.
