As with most things, cats have their own take on Christmas. Presents? I’ll take a look. Parties? Not so much. Trees? Bring it on for me to destroy.

Your feline friend’s home is suddenly full of strange people and routine goes out the window. It also throws up some extra hazards that can be easy to overlook with so much going on. So, with this in mind, here’s how to keep your kitty safe and cat proof your Christmas.

Cats and Christmas Trees: Can They Live Together?

There’s no getting away from it: cats and Christmas trees aren’t exactly a great mix. Unless it’s a small kitten, your cat’s going to want to explore that exciting new ‘toy’ in the living room - and there’s not much as a cat owner you can do about it. That said, here's a rundown to keeping your Christmas tree cat friendly, or rather, cat proof!

• Choose your decorations carefully. When it comes to decorating your tree don’t opt for baubles that can shatter, as these can lead to serious paw injuries - and even worse internal injuries if swallowed. Also, make sure all electric lighting wires are either completely out of the way or very well covered with special plastic pet-proof casing, as they can lead to electrocution and burns if chewed. Edible decorations are also best avoided.
• Try and position your tree as far as possible from any furniture. This will prevent your buddy from launching themselves onto the tree, and so will minimise the risk of it toppling over. It might be worth getting a solid Christmas tree stand and putting some extra weight on the base to make it more stable. You can make it more secure by tying the top to something secure up high near the ceiling with string.

Tip: Cats really don’t like the feel of tin foil on their paws, so consider wrapping foil around the base and bottom branches of the tree. It might just be enough to make them lose interest and make the tree more cat-proof. Some pet parents find the best way to keep their cat away from the Christmas tree is to spray a pet deterrent on the bottom branches - bitter apple is one of the best and safest natural options.

Should You Choose an Artificial or Real Christmas Tree

There’s probably no such thing as a cat-friendly Christmas tree, but which is the safest Christmas tree for cats - an artificial or a real tree? Your cat will probably be pretty interested in both, but on balance, artificial is best. A downside though, is that artificial trees may shed some plastic which can be toxic if eaten.

We all love the scent of a real tree, and this makes real trees much more intriguing to cats than a plastic one. But it’s the pine needles that we need to watch out for. These are mildly toxic to cats. Rarely will cats try to swallow them, but the needles can cause irritation if they get stuck in their paws.

If you do opt for real Christmas tree, buy a variety that’s less likely to drop needles and vacuum up any fallen needles as soon as you see them. Remember that fake snow and preservatives sprayed onto trees can also be toxic to cats.

Other Christmas Decorations to be Cat Careful With

Hanging decorations ‘out of reach’ is practically impossible if your cat’s a climber. For anything that you do hang up:

• Make sure the decorations are as secure as possible. Use twisty ties rather than having things hanging loosely.
• Avoid dangling string. This can be even more of an enticement to play with than the actual decoration.
• Consider a complete tinsel ban. If swallowed, it can get twisted up, leading to serious stomach obstruction.
• Christmas lights. Cats are often fascinated by the lights on the tree and will want to investigate. As well as being an electrocution risk, cats can become tangled up in the wires so keep all cables tidied and out of reach and unplug them at night-time and when you’re out.

Other Cat Christmas Hazards

Always make sure that any Christmas presents given to your cat are cat-safe. And don’t force your cat to wear a Santa costume if they don’t want to. If your cat dislikes their costume, the claws and fangs could come out.

It's not just prezzies and trees you need to mind when your cat's on the Christmas prowl, there's also:

• Candles. Candles on and around the table can be risky - and scented ones can be especially appealing. If you have them on display, just make sure they’re not left unattended when lit - in addition to being a fire hazard, the hot wax can cause burns to paws and noses. It might be worth buying some battery-operated candles instead, these can look very ‘real’ and are much safer!
• Houseplants. With everything that’s going on at this time of the year, it’s easy to forget that some festive plants are toxic to cats. So, keep your cat away from poinsettia, mistletoe, holly, ivy and lilies. Red lilies are popular gifts at this time of year and can cause serious illness to cats.
• Potpourri. This can also be attractive for cats to nibble on so if you’ve got some, get it out of reach. Prevent your cat access and it will save them some tummy troubles.
• Wrapping paper and ribbons. After the Christmas presents have been opened, tidy up the wrapping paper and any ribbons before your cat gets the chance to investigate them as they may even be tempted to eat them. Ribbons can cause obstruction if swallowed. Remember tinsel and ribbons can look very much like cat toys, and cats love toys!
• Batteries. With many Christmas gifts requiring batteries, make sure that any loose batteries are kept well away from cats. It almost goes without saying how dangerous batteries are if swallowed. If your cat swallows one, they’ll need emergency veterinary attention.

Prepare for Cat-Friendly Christmas Parties

Even sociable cats can get spooked easily when friends and family descend on their home. Here's what you can do to prepare for a cat-friendly Christmas time party:

• Try and get your cat in a calm frame of mind before everyone arrives. Give them a new toy to play with - a mini-workout combined with a mental challenge could be just what’s needed to burn off some of that pent-up energy and put them in the mood for taking it easy.
• Next, set up a little chill-out zone in a quiet area. Include their bed, extra bedding and blankets and a selection of their favourite toys, as well as their litter tray. Ideally, this will be their ‘base’ or ‘safe haven’ while the party’s going on. They might choose to leave it to come out and see what’s happening, but they always have the option of going back to it if things get a little too hectic.
• Make sure your cat’s in their den when the first guests arrive. Once you’ve answered the door, pop back in to check they’re ok. If they seem distressed, try distracting them with one of the toys. Repeat as the next few guests arrive to show them that there’s really nothing to worry about.
• And if there are lots of young children eager to play with your cat, always supervise to keep everyone happy and safe. Explain to your guests that they should be calm and gentle with your cat – even the most sociable and even-tempered cat can reach their limit quickly at this time of year.

Cat Christmas Food and Treats

Christmas dinner will almost definitely spark your cat’s curiosity. The challenge is to make sure they stay safe.

If turkey is on the menu and is already part of their everyday diet, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t enjoy a small amount of what you’re having. That said, trying to make Christmas special by giving your cat something completely new is a bad idea. A sudden diet change risks an upset stomach - and no-one wants to deal with that during the festive period.

Best to keep to your cat’s normal diet and routine to avoid any tummy issues. Cats shouldn’t eat cooked turkey bones as they can easily splinter so keep your cat well away from the turkey carcass.... And if you’re giving out treats, just make sure they’re designed with cats in mind (chocolate, mince pies and christmas pudding are off the menu).

Christmas for cats can be confusing, exciting and sometimes a bit scary. We want our feline friends to enjoy Christmas with us but remember, apart from spoiling your furry friend with some new toys, one of the best presents you can give them is to try and keep their routine as ‘normal’ as possible.

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Additional content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis - www.vetlexicon.com/treat/felis 

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