The holidays are upon us, and while we may feel that “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” to cats the seasonal celebrations can be a source of confusion and fear. To alleviate the anxiety of both pet parents and our pals who purr, Cats Protection’s feline behavior expert Nicky Trevorrow has teamed up with Simon’s Cat creator Simon Tofield for a Christmas edition of Simon’s Cat Logic which focuses on ways to keep your feline family member happy and safe during the festive season.
Cats Protection’s advice in the video includes:
Dangerous Decorations
Avoid adorning the Christmas tree with ornaments that are either breakable or edible, and keep in mind that seeing the twinkle of tinsel on the tree is not worth the intestinal injuries its strands can inflict on your cat if ingested. Also, give your cat the gift of a healthy and happy holiday by keeping wrapping paper and ribbons far from curious paws.
Perilous Plants
Several plants associated with the holiday season pose health threats to our four-legged friends. Festive foliage and flowers that could turn a cat lover’s annual Christmas break into a time of heartache include:
- Amaryllis
- Christmas roses
- daffodils
- lilies
- holly
- ivy
- mistletoe
- poinsettias
Cats are Not Pawty Animals
While the holidays are traditionally a time for family and friends to gather together, festivities may seem frightening to felines. Accustomed to a familiar routine in their home, the sight of strangers and loud sounds of the season, such as firecrackers, can turn even the most social bewhiskered butterfly into a scaredy cat. When the holidays get hectic, offer your cat a calm retreat in your house, complete with a litter box, food and water bowls, and a few of their favorite play things.
Food for Thought
If your cat looks longingly at your main course this Christmas, it’s purr-fectly fine to let your kitty companion taste a small slice of turkey (provided that there are no bones in the portion offered). However, NEVER share chocolate with your cat…although it may be a tasty treat for people, chocolate is toxic to both cats and dogs.
The Simon’s Cat Logic Series
The Simon’s Cat Logic YouTube series is a creation of cartoonist Simon Tofield in conjunction with the largest feline welfare organization in the United Kingdom, Cats Protection, which cares for approximately 200,000 cats and kittens each year at its 32 adoption center and 250-plus volunteer-run branches. Each video in the series combines feline-themed education with entertainment, with the current clip on holiday safety also featuring several sketches of seasonal feline fun. From a cat’s craze for empty cardboard boxes to a look at what happens when Santa’s little four-legged helper gets hold of sticky tape, the five comical clips are a present to pet parents!
What do you do to keep your cat calm during the holiday season? Let us know in the comment section below! Meow-y Christmas, everyone!
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