Happy Pawlidays! Tips for Pet Parents During Christmas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

After all, nothing beats snuggling up under a warm blanket with a cat to watch a Christmas movie, am I right?

But as comfy and cozy as the holiday season can be, there are certain winter festivities that cat parents need to be aware of that can either cause danger or stress for our furbabies.

Help your kitties have the best, safest Christmas season paw-sible with these tips:

Holiday Pet Safety Advice

Choose a Cat Friendly Christmas Tree

“Oh Catmas Tree, Oh Catmas Tree, Your Ornaments are History!” 

We’ve all heard this popular quote during the season—and it’s funny for a reason. It’s true! Cats are notorious for batting ornaments off of the family Christmas tree, chewing light cords, and even knocking over the entire thing altogether.

Luckily, you can help prevent some of the damage by choosing a cat friendly Christmas tree. In our house, we like to simply swap a regular Christmas tree for a cat tree! 

But if you want a little more festivity in your home, you can choose pet safe ornaments, opt for a fake tree (the needles on a real one can do real damage to your cat’s digestive tract), and supervise your cat whenever she is near it. 

Looking for more ways to keep your cat safe around your Christmas tree? I love this resource from Jackson Galaxy.

Keep Fluffy Away from Harmful Foods

The holidays are filled with new foods and flavors around your home—scents that your cat will pick up on and be curious about. But as much as she may beg, it’s best to keep your treats away from your cat.

Some holiday foods are okay to share with your kitty in moderation, like canned pumpkin. However, you need to be extra careful to keep your cat away from the other dishes on your table. 

Purrsonally, I don’t share any food with my cats from the table that I am unsure of. They much prefer their Temptations, anyway!

Create a Safe Space for Shy Pets During Parties

If you’re planning on hosting family and friends for a party—or an extended stay—over the holidays, pay special attention to giving your cat a space that they feel safe in and can call their own.

Most cats—mine included—are incredibly shy around strangers and want nothing to do with them. Let’s be honest, I’m the same way!

Before your guests arrive, set your cat up in a favorite room of your home with plenty of fresh water, food, litter, and comfy places to rest. Tuning into some cat tv is also a great way to keep them distracted and help stress stay to a minimum. 

If your kitty is especially sensitive to changes, try using a calming spray for cats to help her relax.

Hide Gift Wrapping from Curious Noses

When we first adopted one of our cats from the shelter, her name was “Nosie”. Fitting, as she likes to stick her nose in EVERYTHING! I’m sure the same is true for a lot of cats, especially when new things show up during the holidays.

Keep your cat’s curious nose safe by stashing away any gift wrapping far from their reach. Holiday curling ribbon and bows can be especially dangerous for cats. If they eat it, it can cause major life-threatening havoc.

Keep your wrapped gifts in a place totally out of reach from your cat. They’ll stay healthy, and you’ll keep your wrapped gifts looking Instagram-worthy purrfect for the big day.

Find a Good Pet Sitter for Your Holiday Travelling

Tons of people take the holidays as an opportunity to travel to visit family out of town or simply book that beach vacation they’ve been waiting all year for. If that’s you, you need to think about who will be looking after your kitty while you’re away.

Many people will choose to board their pet with a trusted vet. That’s a good option, but can cause excess stress for your cat if they rarely ever leave your home. Another option is to hire a friend or professional pet sitter to check in on them every day. If you’re in the Kansas City area, we’ve heard nothing but great things about Katie’s Kennel!

Don’t Forget to Treat Your Furbaby

The Christmas season is a time to celebrate the people we love—our cats included! So don’t forget to treat your kitty to a little something special. Or a big something special!

Whether a new cat bed, a favorite treat, or a simple day spent together, your kitty will love whatever you decide to give them. 

Happy Pawlidays from All of Us at Pawsitive Purrpose!

I know a lot about cats, but I’m not a veterinarian. Please don’t take any of the statements I give as medical advice and do always consult your trusted vet, especially if your cat is experiencing behavioral or physical challenges.