Holiday Safety Tips for Cat Owners

The holidays are a magical time, but for cats, it can be a risky time as well.

There’s nothing like the holiday season. It’s a time for family, giving, feasting and fun, but if you are the proud parent of a cat, it’s important to know that it’s also a season that has many risks for your furry friend. Here at The Vet Set, we are dedicated to helping you enjoy a safe, happy holiday this year, and to keeping your cat out of the emergency animal hospital. That’s why we’ve come up with this list of holiday safety tips for cat owners:

#1. Anchor your Christmas tree.

Cats love to climb, and they tend to find Christmas trees downright irresistible. Regardless of whether you got your tree out of a box or straight from the forest, there’s a strong possibility that your cat will try to climb it at some point. Christmas tree stands aren’t designed to hold cats, and if the tree falls, which it’s likely to do, it could put your cat in danger. Make sure that you invest in a strong, stable stand for your tree, and then take further steps to anchor it to the floor.

#2. Carefully select your ornaments.

Cats often see ornaments as toys, and it’s difficult for them to resist batting at them and playing with them. Keeping any ornaments secured to the tree is important, but you should also be careful about the ornaments you select. Those thin, glass ball ornaments are beautiful, but they can easily shatter if knocked down, injuring your cat. Consider using plastic or unbreakable ornaments, and make sure that none of the ornaments are small enough to be ingested by your cat.

#3. Don’t allow your cat to chew.

Not only do cats like to climb Christmas trees, they also like to chew on the needles and branches. If your tree is a pine tree, then it’s needles contain pine oil. When ingested, pine oil can cause all kinds of problems for your cat, from gastrointestinal upset to breathing difficulties. Prevent your cat from chewing on your tree by spraying a cat deterrent or setting up a barrier around it. Cats have also been known to chew electric wires, and with so many lights and decorations, there’s a good chance that there are more than a few wires around for your cat to chew on. Keep those wires covered with tape or invest in wire covers to deter chewing.

#4. Watch out for tinsel and ribbon.

If you’re like most cat owners, you’ve probably dangled a string in front of your cat a time or two, so it should come as no wonder that they love to play with and chase anything string-like. Tinsels and ribbons are just too tempting for many cats to pass up, but if they accidentally ingest them, it can lead to trouble. Tinsel and ribbon could get tangled up inside of your cat’s intestines if they swallow it, which could cause blockages to form. Instead of using tinsel and thin, curly ribbon to wrap gifts with, use wide ribbon or even rope. It may not look as pretty, but it is less of a risk for your cat.

We hope that these tips will help you enjoy a safe, happy holiday season with your cat. If you have any questions or concerns about holiday safety for your cat, or if your cat is in need of a wellness exam or other veterinary services, give us a call. Our veterinarian proudly serves Carroll Gardens and the surrounding Brooklyn neighborhoods, and our veterinary hospital is equipped with everything we need to take great care of your cat. Schedule your appointment today.