Cat Safety This Holiday Season

For some reason, cats seem to enjoy the holidays and the decorations that come with them just as much as we do! From terrorizing the Christmas tree to knocking over the Menorah, cats seem to welcome the colder months with excitement and fervor. However, this is also the time of year veterinarians notice an increase in emergency visits. From curling ribbon to handmade decorations, cats are ingesting all the wrong things, and literally playing with fire. So keep that Menorah out of reach for your cat’s safety!

Cats Who Climb

There’s no doubt that our cats are very limber, inquisitive creatures (are you familiar with the phrase “curiosity killed the cat?”). This is especially true for kitties that enjoy climbing. In addition to knocking over the tree and injuring themselves in the fall, it’s not uncommon for our feline companions to become entangled in the string lights, cloth ornaments and ribbon many of us like to wrap around the tree.

Decorative Ribbon is Dangerous in More Than One Way

Think about how your cat’s toys look; you’ve probably got a wand somewhere with a string attached and a fun, furry object at the end of it. Bright, curly ribbon dangling temptingly looks very similar.

Cats have specialized tongues that have a rough, sticky surface comprised of sharp, backward facing spikes called “barbs.” The barbs prevent your cat from being able to spit out the ribbon, and in the struggle to get it out of their mouth, there is potential for them to swallow it. Even if they don’t choke on it, they are still in danger of possible intestinal blockage.

If your cat has swallowed string or ribbon and you find that there is a piece hanging from his or her back end, do not attempt to pull it out! Should the ribbon, yarn, or string be wrapped around the inner portion of their intestines, pulling on it could cause permanent, irreversible damage.

As you put up your decorations this year, keep them out of reach of your cat. If you can’t, make sure to keep them in a secluded room while you’re away or unable to supervise them. They might meow a lot, but it’s better than a life-threatening emergency visit to the veterinarian!

Holiday Plants

People like to spruce up their homes with not only trees and tinsel, but also with holiday themed shrubbery. Even the most well-read and observant owners don’t always know which ones are harmful to their pets, so don’t feel bad if you aren’t sure yourself.

Plants to keep away from your cat are Christmas Cactus, Holly, and Mistletoe. Poinsettias are poisonous to dogs. Cacti should be avoided for obvious reasons, while Holly and Mistletoe produce a variety of unpleasant, and possibly fatal symptoms. Vomiting and diarrhea can be indicative of many things that aren’t always serious. However, if they’re accompanied by smacking of the lips, excessive drooling or saliva production, and the refusal of food or water, it’s time to go to the vet.

Other festive plants to keep out of reach are pine, cedar, Amaryllis, and balsam. Another tip for year-round cat safety – keep Lilies out of reach, because they are poisonous.

Keep a Collar on Your Cat and Watch the Exits

During this time of year, we also have family, friends, and other visitors coming in and out of our homes more than usual. Your cat may use this as an opportunity to make his great escape, which is definitely something to avoid. Even if you have made sure to cat proof your home, and have locked them safely in a secluded room, there’s always the chance that a child or guest may unknowingly leave the door open.

As added insurance, when you place your kitty in his or her own room for the day, place a clear sign on the door that states there is a cat in the room, and that the area is off limits. This may give you peace of mind knowing they won’t escape from your home or get into any other hazards that are accompanied by the holiday season.

This is also a good time to make sure your pet’s collar has updated tag information, or better yet to have your pet microchipped, before people start showing up at your home. This way if your pet does get out, there is the necessary information available to reunite you and your beloved cat.