Holiday-safety-tips-cat_Hero - 1

Keeping your cat safe during the holiday season

By Lauren Rey

The holidays are almost here and if you have a cat, you probably already know that they’ll be lining up to inspect the Thanksgiving turkey and battle with the Christmas tree. While the holidays are often called “the most wonderful time of the year” — when it comes to our feline friends, this time can also be one of the most dangerous.

From turkey to tinsel, the holidays are full of potential dangers for cats, but that doesn't mean you have to give up your holiday decorations or celebrations. Let’s cover everything cat parents need to know to celebrate the season safely — and hopefully, keep their Christmas tree intact!

Decking the halls safely

From Thanksgiving floral arrangements to holiday wreaths, and of course — every cat’s favorite, the Christmas tree, decorating for the holidays is all part of the fun. However, some holiday decorations can be hazardous for cats. Here’s what cat parents should keep in mind when decking the halls for the holidays.

Toxic holiday plants and flowers

If you’re thinking about a floral centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table or some boughs of holly for the Christmas buffet, you may want to reconsider if you have cats. Many cats find plants and flowers tempting to chew or eat, which can lead to accidental poisonings, choking hazards, or intestinal obstructions. And since cats can reach even the highest of shelves, it’s hard to just place these items “out of reach.” Before bringing any holiday plants or flowers home, be sure they are cat-safe, or choose faux varieties. Holiday plants that can be hazardous for cats include:

Christmas tree safety

Cats and trees go together like peanut butter and jelly, so naturally, most cats will instinctively want to climb a Christmas tree — and that’s before you fill it with shiny, dangly ornaments that resemble cat toys. So, it’s no surprise that most cat parents struggle to keep their cats out of their Christmas trees.

Unfortunately, Christmas trees can be filled with hazards for cats. From the pine needles, ornaments, and tinsel that can all present choking hazards or intestinal obstructions if swallowed, to toxic tree water if ingested, and lights that can pose electric shock risks if chewed.

Cat-proofing your Christmas tree can be tough and may look a little different for every cat parent, depending on the type of tree you have, your home’s layout, and just how obsessed your cat is with your tree. If possible, choosing an artificial tree may be safer for your cat, reducing the risk of fallen pine needles and toxic tree water. Regardless of what type of tree you choose, ensure it’s secured as firmly as possible so if your cat does climb it, it doesn’t fall over. And if you can, place your tree far away from other furniture, to reduce your cat’s ability to jump into the tree. When decorating, avoid any fragile ornaments, ribbons, or tinsel, and use cord protectors on lights and electrical cords.

If you’ve cat-proofed your Christmas tree as best as possible but your cat has still claimed it as their own, you may want to consider using barriers or restricting your cat’s access to the tree by keeping them in a separate room when you’re not home. You can also ask your vet about deterrent sprays.

Lastly, some cat parents have had luck with offering cats their own tree as a deterrent. There are several cat-friendly trees available at pet retailers, made from cat-safe materials and with plenty of perching and hiding spots. Sprinkle a little catnip on the tree and hopefully your feline friend will forget all about the other one with the decorations!

Candles and scents

Whether you’re burning your favorite Christmas candle or lighting up your Menorah for Hanukkah, you’ll want to use caution with candles around cats. Curious cats can get burned or knock candles over, so it’s a good idea to keep candles far out of your cat’s reach and never leave them lit when unattended.

While flameless candles and diffusers may be safer, if you’re using essential oils or other scented products, be sure to choose pet-safe varieties. Some essential oils can be toxic for cats, including common holiday scents like cinnamon, peppermint, and pine.

Holiday presents

Cats are notoriously curious creatures, so it’s only natural that they may be drawn to the presents under the Christmas tree, especially those with ribbons, bows, or strings — all of which can create dangerous intestinal obstructions if swallowed.

Hazards lurking inside presents can include food gifts that might be toxic for cats (like chocolates), children’s toys with stuffing, bows, batteries or buttons, and electronics that can pose a shock risk. Consider keeping presents in a secure location until Christmas day if they contain something potentially hazardous or toxic for your cat.

Safe holiday gifts for cats

‘Tis the season of giving and many pet parents love to extend this sentiment to their feline friends. If you’re planning to buy your cat a holiday gift this year, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Use caution and supervise your cat with toys that have strings, ribbons, or feathers as these can cause serious blockages in the digestive tract if swallowed.

Holiday-safety-tips-cats_Image3 - 1

Dangerous holiday foods for cats

The holiday season is often all about the food with gift baskets of baked goods and chocolates lying around the house, and holiday meals with friends and family. And of course, this can all be very tempting to our cats too, but many holiday foods can be dangerous for them.

Here’s what you need to keep out of reach:

To keep your feline friends from climbing up on the buffet table, consider securing your cats in a separate room while meals are being served. It’s also important to warn your guests not to feed table scraps and take the trash out to ensure your cat isn’t tempted by the smell of leftover turkey later. And if your cat does get into any potentially dangerous or toxic items, seek veterinary attention immediately!

What holiday foods can I share with my cat?

As every pet parent knows, sometimes it’s hard to say no to those pleading eyes. Plus, it’s the holidays, and everyone deserves a special treat, right? If you want to share some festive food with your feline friend during the holidays, stick to cat-safe options and keep portions small. A few bites of boneless, skinless, cooked turkey (without any seasoning or gravy), a few slivers of carrots or green beans (with no added salt or seasoning), or a few small cubes of plain, cooked sweet potato or pumpkin, are all generally, cat-safe options (but always consult your vet, especially if your cat has a chronic illness or is on a special diet).

If you want to put your holiday baking skills to the test and go the extra mile for your feline friend, try one of these cat-approved, homemade cat treat recipes from 24Petwatch:

Lost pet prevention during the holidays

Between houseguests, holiday parties, and loud noises that can create stress and anxiety in animals, some cats end up slipping out unnoticed and going missing during the holidays.

Protect your feline friend from pulling a disappearing act during the holidays by ensuring they are always secured in the house, especially during parties or when guests are arriving or leaving — place them in a separate room if needed. Also, be sure to warn your guests that you have cats and to use caution when opening doors.

In case your cat does manage to slip out, ensure they have current ID tags and a microchip, so you’ll be contacted as soon as they are found. For added support, consider a 24Petwatch Lifetime Protection Membership for access to the largest pet microchip database in North America and lost pet recovery specialists standing by to assist in bringing your feline friend home quickly.

Holiday-safety-tips-cats_Image1 - 1

Holiday stress

Just as we can become overwhelmed by all the holiday happenings, so can our cats. Between changes in routines, visitors in the house, and loud noises from holiday guests, parties, Christmas carolers, and fireworks — the holidays can be stressful for cats!

Ease your feline friend’s holiday stress by ensuring they have a safe, comfortable space to retreat to, with plenty of hiding spaces, and far away from all the guests and holiday noise. Enrichment aides, like puzzle toys, can also be used to help keep cats entertained, and calming aides, like Feliway, can help them relax. You can also talk to your veterinarian about prescription options if your cat becomes overly stressed by sounds or strangers.

When your cat is around any holiday guests, it’s important to pay attention to their body language and look for signs of stress or discomfort. Some cats can be shy and may not enjoy interacting with new people. While some cats may show more overt signs of discomfort, like hissing and raised hackles, others might have more subtle signs.

Signs of stress in cats can include:

If your cat is showing signs of stress around your holiday guests, give them a break and take them to their “safe space” to decompress. It’s also important to always exercise caution with cats and any children visitors to avoid accidental injuries.

Holiday-safety-tips-cats_Image2 - 1

Cold weather safety for cats

Falling snow and roaring fireplaces may be all part of the holiday fun, but when it comes to cats, there are a few cold weather hazards to look out for.

Indoor kitties don’t have too much to worry about, but they may seek out warmer places around your home, so use caution with fireplaces, space heaters, and electric blankets. Just be sure to provide them with some warm bedding or blankets they can snuggle up in when temperatures drop. If you have a hairless cat, you may want to invest in a cat sweater for the winter.

Outdoor cats, however, can face far more hazards. From salty sidewalks that can irritate paws to antifreeze-covered driveways that can be toxic if ingested, there can be many dangers lurking just around the block. If bringing your cat inside is not an option, or you’re caring for a stray or feral cat, consider putting out some cat houses with bedding, to provide warmth and shelter on those cold winter nights. It’s also a good idea to learn the signs of antifreeze poisoning, such as vomiting, lethargy, and disorientation, and seek veterinary care right away if your cat comes home displaying any signs.

Final tips on keeping your cat safe throughout the holiday season

Whether it’s by cat-proofing your Christmas tree, keeping the Thanksgiving turkey covered, or priming your houseguests on holiday pet safety, there are many ways to keep your cat safe, happy, and stress-free this holiday season.

While being cautious is important, sometimes accidents still happen — a guest who brings a bouquet of Christmas lilies, some spilled eggnog, or a holiday gift wrapped in ribbons that’s tempting for your feline friend. To be prepared for emergencies, keep the number and directions to your closest emergency veterinary hospital, pet poison control, and your pet insurance information handy.

For extra peace of mind during the holidays, you can also protect your cat with a Lifetime Protection Membership from 24Petwatch. You’ll have access to veterinary telehealth for any cat health questions that might arise during the holidays, discounts on pet-sitting services if you need to travel, and lost pet recovery specialists standing by to assist should your cat wander off while waiting for Santa. 24Petwatch has reunited over 730,000 lost pets and will be there for yours too!