"Tinsel & Tails: Your Cat’s Holiday Safety Guide (Part 2)"
Updated: Sep 17
Q&A WITH DR. PAULINE TAYLOR, BVM&S MACVSC
DR. PAULINE SAYS: Part 2: Health & Wellbeing
5-Liquid perfumes and potpourri! Your cats may try and lick them and this could cause chemical burns to the tongue or mouth. If they get in their eyes it could cause eye irritations and even blindness. Consider plug in air fresheners with holiday scents instead.
6-Guests! Take care as influxes of new people can upset a nervous cat. If you are having people over it is best to store your cat away in a quiet place with everything they need. Also be careful when letting people into your home that your cat doesn't flee outside and get lost.
7-Food! Be careful not to give your cats food that could contain garlic or onions. Both can upset the blood of cats causing anaemia. I'd suggest sticking to turkey flavoured canned cat food or a little bit of the turkey red meat only for a real treat.
8-Ornaments! Take care with new ornaments around your cat's normal running track especially if they are breakable.
9-The Christmas Tree! A great place to climb up, a great new toy!. Take care not to allow your cat to get frightened when you first bring it to your home. I suggest leave it a day before decorating it to let your cat get used to it being around. Let the novelty of the tree wear off before tying on tinsel and ornaments and try not to let your cat see you doing this. The additions look like new toys to cats. If possible, place your tree in a room that you can close off and keep the cat away from it when you are not around. Placing your tree against a wall is best as cats are known to jump off bookshelves and window sills to catch a tree and swing from it. Another deterrent is to put upside down sticky tape around the base of the tree and as cats don't like this it may help to keep them away. Spraying the trunk and branches with a deterrent like bitter apple or citrus that tastes bad may stop climbing and scratching. Finally do not put cat food treats wrapped in gift paper at the base of the tree. Cats have a good sense of smell and will open their Chrissie presents before the 25 if they get a chance.
