Holidays spell family and fun, and little is more picturesque than a snoozing cat under a sparkling tree. Unfortunately, many of the things we love the most during the winter holidays could spell trouble for our small furry family members. Cozy Cat Suites cat boarding in Virginia encourages you to learn more about how you can keep your kitty safe during the winter months and beyond.
Winter Holidays: Hidden Dangers and Keeping Your Cat Safe
Holiday decorations
Ornaments, tinsel, garlands, and strings of glittering lights define the holiday season for many of us, but for cats, they pose serious risks. Glass ornaments can break, tinsel and garlands can be ingested, and glittering lights pose serious burn and electrocution risks. Tape cords down securely, and use non-breakable ornaments whenever possible. Keep tinsel and garlands out of your cat’s reach or avoid them altogether for a safer season.
Poinsettias and other plants
Cats love nothing more than to enjoy a little nibble on fresh greenery, but some plants can be highly toxic to cats. Unfortunately, many of these plants – or parts of them – are popular around the holidays, including mistletoe, holly, amaryllis, yew, lilies, poinsettias, balsam, and pine needles. If you have cats, skip the live versions and choose artificial ones instead. You can also consider cat-safe alternatives, like Christmas cactus, rosemary, and winter jasmine.
Tree water
If you’ve ever caught your cat sipping out of your glass of water, you already know how much cats love drinking out of anything that isn’t their actual water bowl. In other words, if you have a real tree, your cat might just try drinking out of the tree base. Tree water from live trees can contain more than mere water, including sap from the tree, fertilizer, preservatives, and even stray needles from the tree. When ingested, the tree water can trigger vomiting and diarrhea, and in serious cases, liver damage and bowel obstructions. Use a cat-proof cover to block your cat’s access to the tree water and offer a constant supply of fresh water at all times. You can also consider an artificial tree, but you should still monitor the cat around the tree to ensure they aren’t ingesting artificial needles.
Candles
Candles can create the ideal soft-lit ambiance for caroling, festive dinners, and holiday movie marathons. Unfortunately, they also pose clear dangers for curious cats. Apart from the obvious risk of burns, scented candles often contain essential oils. Common holiday fragrances, including clove, citrus, cinnamon, and peppermint, can lead to serious toxicity in cats, resulting in respiratory distress and liver failure. Battery-operated candles are a safer choice.
Holiday Food
Many foods that grace our holiday tables can sicken our furry family members. Garlic, fatty turkey, gravy, cooked bones, alcohol, and chocolate can all sicken your cat. A simple rule is to avoid giving your cat “people food” at all and offer lickable treats or freeze-dried fish or chicken. You can also offer a bit of plain, cooked, lean turkey on occasion.
Cozy Cat Suites Cat Boarding for a Safer Holiday
Holiday crowds aren’t necessarily dangerous for your cat, but they can be stressful. Whether you’re planning a big family to-do or hosting this season, consider letting your cat relax in style at Cozy Cat Suites. Cozy Cat Suites offers cat boarding getaways, where cats can enjoy private themed suites big enough to stretch out alone or with a kitty sibling, and enjoy the privacy they crave while their families celebrate the holidays. At Cozy Cat Suites cat boarding in Virginia, we treat your cat like family with personalized attention to special needs, play time, and suites that cater to their every need. Contact us today to find out more or to book your cat's visit!
