The holiday season is officially upon us! It’s always great to enjoy seasonal food and activities with our loved ones at this time of year. If you have a kitty, your pet will no doubt supervise you carefully as you get ready for this year’s festivities. She may also lend a helping paw as you decorate or wrap gifts! Just be sure to keep your cat’s health and safety in mind over the coming weeks. Here, a Marietta, GA vet discusses holiday cat care.
Choose Safe Foods
It’s purrfectly fine to give your cat a special holiday snack, but be careful what you give her. Plain, canned tuna or chicken in water is a good choice. Fluffy can also have cooked, plain meat, fish, or poultry or some shredded deli meat. Never give your furball garlic, onions, scallions, or chives; nuts; meat on the bone; milk; alcohol; chocolate; avocado; raw dough or yeast; grapes, currants, or raisins; or anything containing xylitol.
Shopping Tips
Fluffy definitely deserves a special gift! Toys are always a popular gift for kitties. You can go with a classic toy, like a catnip mouse or a crinkly ball. Or, opt for something more modern, like catnip bubbles or remote-controlled playthings. Kitty fountains, beds, scratching posts, and pet furniture will also please your feline friend.
Catproof The Tree
In the wild, cats use trees for shelter, lookout spots, lounging spots, and manicure stations. In our living rooms, cats use trees for entertainment, target practice, and exercise. To reduce the odds of your frisky pet knocking your Christmas tree over, decorate the bottom part sparsely, with only non-breakable objects. We also recommend getting a tree with sturdy base. Don’t put the tree beside anything Fluffy can use as a kitty launchpad, like a desk or chair.
Decorate Carefully
Keep Fluffy in mind as you decorate. Ribbons, tinsel, ornament hooks, ornaments, and wreaths are all hazardous to kitties. Many plants, such as lilies and poinsettias, are toxic to cats. Candles, flames, and fireplaces are also a concern.
Activate The Purr
Settling down with a purring cat, a great book or movie, and a cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa is a perfect way to relax around the holidays. Spend some quality time with Fluffy, and keep that little motor going.
Happy Holidays! Please contact us, your Marietta, GA vet clinic, anytime. We’re here to help!
