It’s the “purrfect” time of the year. Twinkling lights, sparkling tinsel, caroling around the Christmas tree, and cats. For cats, Christmas trees must look like a giant play area filled with bright, shiny, and sparkly objects. Unfortunately, Christmas lights and decor pose a danger to cats and can cause a lot of potential headaches for their owners.
How can we protect our cats and the tree from a holiday “cat-astrophe?”
• Tinsel – We all know tinsel is beautiful. Unfortunately, it entices kitty. If the cat ingests tinsel, it can lead to a potentially severe intestinal blockage. Try to place it high up on the tree where the cat can’t reach it.
• Lights – Cats love to chew on electrical cords! Try to avoid putting lights at the bottom of the tree. Cats can become entangled in the lighting as well get a shock.
• Edible decorations – strings of popcorn or other edible ornaments can pose choking hazards for the cat. Also, a cat can attack a string of popcorn and wind up knocking down the entire tree.
One possible solution to prevent hazards for pets is to put the tree up a few days early without decorations. It may become boring, and the cat will lose interest. Or consider putting up the tree in a room where the cat is not allowed. And finally, beware of glass ornaments. A glass ornament can shatter easily and pose a risk to pets.
If you have any reason to believe kitty has been injured or ingested something dangerous, get in touch with our office as soon as possible.
The holidays are a wonderful time of year, and we want your holidays to be filled with nothing but joy, for you and your pet.
Sources:
Winter holiday pet safety. [Internet]. AVMA.org. [cited 2021 Nov 24]. Available from: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/holiday-pet-safety Holiday safety tips. [Internet]. ASPCA.org. [cited 2021 Nov 23]. Available from: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/holiday-safety-tips
Print
PDF
