Top Tips on Keeping Your Cat Safe This Christmas

With Christmas nearly here, it's that time of the year when a home a busier place than usual. For pussy cats this can be a bit stressful because all of a sudden their environment changes. There are new things around the place which includes flashing lights, a funny smelling tree and lots of shiny things that look like fun to play with!

However, although Christmas is definitely a time to be jolly, it is also a time to take extra care where our pets are concerned and this includes our little, furry feline friends so they stay safe over the festive season!

The Christmas Tree

It's really important that a tree be put up securely so it's as stable as possible. The best way to achieve this is to use a very heavy base, remembering that when the tree is decorated the chances are it will be quite top heavy! Cats just cannot resist jumping up at all those shiny baubles, so it's important they don't end up pulling the tree over which could fall on top of them.

You also need to bear in mind the needles of a tree are poisonous to cats so if any fall on the ground, it's best to hoover these up as soon as possible to avoid your feline friend from walking on them and then licking their feet!

Real Christmas Trees

If you have invested in a real tree and one with roots because you want to plant it in your garden in the New Year, the chances are you will be watering the tree over the Christmas period. It's crucial that cats cannot get at the water the tree is sitting in to have a drink. You have to remember that pine tree sap and any preservatives used to keep the trees looking good are highly toxic to our little feline friends!

Tinsel, String and Hooks can be Lethal to Cats

There's nothing nicer than a well decorated Christmas tree but you need to be extra careful if you share your home with a pussy cat or two because tinsel, string and any hooks used to hang baubles on the tree can be lethal to them. The best way to avoid any injuries or accidents is to avoid using them and to find gorgeous and safe alternatives instead!

Christmas Tree Baubles & Decorations

Try to avoid putting any fragile baubles or other decorations on your tree. If you do want to use any very breakable things as decorations, make sure they are placed higher up in the tree which means pussy cat can't get at them!

Traditional Christmas Flowers to Avoid

There are quite a few traditional Christmas flowers and plants which are highly toxic to cats which you should avoid having around the home, just to be on the safe side. These include the following:

• Holly
• Mistletoe
• Poinsettias
• Ivy
• Christmas roses

These days you can buy fake flowers that look incredibly realistic and as a bonus you can use them over and over again!

Be Careful of Candles

It's also great to have a few Christmas candles around the home over the festive period. However, you need to be very careful if you share your home with a cat because they are very inquisitive little characters who like to get their noses, paws and tails into things which could end up being disastrous if they knock one over or burn themselves!

Keep Your Cat's Routine as Normal as Possible

As previously mentioned, over the festive season most homes tend to get a bit busier than at other times of the year. However, it's important to keep your cat's routine as normal as possible to avoid putting them under any unnecessary stress.

Creating a Quiet and Safe Place for Your Cat

When you know you are going to have a lot of visitors coming over, make sure you have created a nice, quiet and peaceful place your cat can retreat to when and if they feel like it. This will help reduce any anxiety they might be feeling at all the comings and goings!

Christmas Goodies

It's really important that everyone who comes to visit you over the festive season knows not to feed any human Christmas"" goodies to your cat. It could prove fatal!

Never Give a Family Member or a Friend a Kitten for Christmas

Lastly, nobody should ever give a family member or a friend a kitten (or other animal) for Christmas. Looking after a pet takes a lot of time and consideration. It is a long-term commitment and it's a decision that only the person concerned should make!

Conclusion

Keeping your furry little feline friend safe and happy over the festive season takes a bit of thought and consideration. By following the tips listed above, you reduce the risk of your cat getting sick or worse still beint hurt which could end up ruining everyone's Christmas and having to pay a rather large vet bill!

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