The holiday season is officially upon us! Fluffy probably won’t care too much if you tell her that, but she will notice the decorations, food, and schedule changes. Change can be very stressful for kitties, so you may want to take some precautions to keep your furry buddy content and purring this month. A Hendersonville, NC vet offers some seasonal cat care advice below.
Decorate Carefully
There’s almost no end to the ways playful felines can get into mischief around the holidays. Keep things like lights, tinsel, small/sharp objects, candles, and ornaments in spots Fluffy can’t reach. Plants are another concern. Many seasonal favorites are toxic to kitties! That list includes poinsettias, holly, ivy, mistletoe, and pine. Candles and fireplaces are also hazardous.
Offer Quiet Spots
Kitties can get very stressed out by changes to their schedule or environment. Visitors can also be a source of anxiety, particularly to nervous kitties. Offer Fluffy a spot to retreat to if she feels uneasy. If you’re having a party, put her in a bedroom with bedding, food, toys, and a litterbox, and let her sleep through the festivities.
Tree Safeguards
Every year, our feline pals wreak havoc on beautifully-decorated trees. Try not to put the tree near anything Fluffy can use to jump off, such as a desk or couch. We also recommend putting most of the decorations—including tinsel, ribbons, lights, and fragile ornaments—on the top part of the tree.
Travel
If you’re just going away for a few nights, you may be able to leave Fluffy at home, and just have someone stop in to check on her. Boarding is the safer option for longer trips, and for those who have kittens, senior cats, or furballs with medical issues. Your kitty may also be home alone more than usual if you’re just busy with events. Leave a light and a radio or TV on for your pet if you leave her by herself, so she isn’t stuck in a dark, quiet house.
Choose Great Gifts
Kitties certainly deserve some special gifts! Toys are of course the classic holiday present for cats. You can also get your furball a new bed, some catnip, a window seat, or a cat tower. Don’t forget to get some cute pics of Fluffy enjoying her new things!
Happy Holidays from Kanuga Animal Clinic, your Hendersonville, NC animal hospital. Call us anytime!
