5 Easy Ways to Keep Your Cat Safe Over the Holidays

As we know, our feline friends are very frisky and playful. Fluffy’s mischievous streak often comes out in full force around the holidays! Here, a Hyattsville, MD vet offers tips on keeping your kitty happy, healthy, and safe over the coming weeks.

Cats have been climbing trees for millions of years. In the wild, trees offer Fluffy safety, lookout points, nail-care stations, and, of course, napping spots. In your living room, they’re mostly just fun … especially if they are decorated with what appear to be cat toys. Keep your furball in mind as you are decorating. Choose a tree with a sturdy base, and secure the treetop to the wall or ceiling with fishing line. Decorate the bottom of the tree sparsely. You just want a few unbreakable objects within paws reach. Most of the ornaments and tinsel should go on the top part of the tree.

Poinsettias, lilies, mistletoe, yew, and other popular seasonal plants are toxic to our feline pals. Play it safe, and get artificial plants instead of real ones this year.

Cats are always much safer staying indoors. However, there is often increased traffic at this time of year, so your kitty may be at increased risk. Weather is also a concern. Keep Fluffy cozy and purring indoors!

Fluffy will definitely enjoy a special treat. Just be sure to only give your kitty safe, suitable options. Canned tuna in water is a great choice. Fluffy can also have shredded deli meat; cat milk; sodium free broth; or cooked, plain meat, fish, or poultry with the skin, bones, and fat removed. Dairy products—especially cow’s milk—aren’t safe for your furball, she can have some cat milk.

Are you planning on having a lot of visitors over this year? It’s always great to catch up with friends and family. However, your cat may be much less enthusiastic about this than you are, especially if she is timid. Offer Fluffy a quiet spot, such as a back bedroom, and get her settled in with food, toys, treats, and a litterbox. She may be purrfectly content to sleep through the festivities!

Season’s Greetings from all of us here at Brentwood Animal Hospital, your Hyattsville, MD vet clinic. Please contact us anytime!