This text first appeared on iCatCare on the 04th of December 2019 right here.
How to ensure your cat has a cheerful Christmas
Most of us sit up for the festive interval; the meals, the visitors, the tree and decorations. Nevertheless, for cats, Christmas could also be a time of stress and danger of damage. As a species they take pleasure in routine and are delicate to modifications of their atmosphere, making the celebrations difficult. As well as, the season means sure poisonous vegetation and meals could also be accessible to curious cats. At Worldwide Cat Care now we have consulted our veterinary members to ask them what accidents they see right now of yr. Based mostly on this data and with the enter of the Veterinary Poisons Data Service (VPIS) this text presents recommendation on what to maintain out of attain and what to do to minimise the disruption to maintain our cats blissful this Christmas.
Christmas vegetation
Poinsettia may be poisonous however scientific indicators are often delicate
Poinsettia is commonly talked about as a probably toxic plant however its fame is probably unfair. The Veterinary Poisons Data Service informs us that in over half the instances of pets consuming Poinsettia vegetation reported to them, the cat or canine exhibits no indicators of sickness. In the event that they do present any indicators they’re delicate resembling being sick, drooling, refusing meals and being quieter than regular. Even these indicators quickly resolve with none particular therapy. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to maintain the plant out of attain. As well as, mistletoe, holly, ivy and Christmas cherry may cause a tummy upset and must be evaded inquisitive cats.
Christmas bushes and different decorations
Many cat homeowners have had the expertise of their cat climbing the Christmas tree and it falling over. Normally, each are unhurt however it’s price contemplating securing the tree to keep away from this. Accidents are reported from falling from Christmas bushes and from the ensuing smashed baubles, with glass ones notably sharp when damaged. Ingestion of Christmas tree needles and the faux snow utilized to them may cause abdomen upset and different decorations may be ingested leading to a ‘international physique’. Chewing of lights and wires could be a downside, particularly for nosy kittens and it isn’t unusual for cats to move urine simply the place you don’t need them to i.e. the tree, probably an issue if electrical plugs and wires are uncovered. This could be a signal of stress so learn on for strategies to cut back the nervousness cats could endure right now of yr.
One among our vets reported seeing a cat with a singed tail from Hanukkah menorah candles and positively uncovered candles could be a hazard to cats who have a tendency to leap onto window sills and mantelpieces the place candles are positioned. As elevated places are nonetheless accessible to most cats, candles must be stored the place you possibly can control them or left off the Christmas checklist.
Christmas meals
At the moment of celebration meals could also be neglected, left-overs left inside attain. We historically fear about canine and chocolate toxicity for instance however what about cats? Chocolate can also be poisonous to cats, though the quantity a cat must eat to make them in poor health is quite a bit greater than for canine. Indicators of chocolate poisoning together with being sick and passing diarrhoea, consuming quite a bit, showing drunk, trembling and even having a match. Hopefully, a cat’s lesser curiosity in candy treats means this danger is small.
Equally, grapes and raisins, identified for inflicting kidney injury in canine, could have an effect on cats however poisoning is far much less widespread. The VPIS would, nevertheless, advise therapy of cats identified to have eaten these meals, and counsel that for instance mince pies usually are not neglected. Should you suppose your cat has eaten such meals contact your vet and encourage them to name the VPIS for recommendation. With reference to meals, it might be tempting to deal with your cat this Christmas, maybe further cat treats or some scraps from the Christmas dinner. Whereas somewhat left-over turkey will likely be loved by nearly all of cats with out hurt, extreme treats and human meals might make a cat poorly so do attempt to persist with their regular feeding routine this time of yr; they gained’t know they’re lacking out! One other hazard may be cooked poultry bones – they’re onerous for cats to digest and might get caught within the digestive system so be certain your cats can’t raid the bin after the Christmas lunch.
Festive international our bodies
‘International our bodies’ is the time period used to explain non-food gadgets which have turn into lodged in a cat’s physique, typically the digestive tract. They’re much less widespread in cats than in canine, however we had been stunned by the quantity reported by our veterinary members. Once we requested them about Christmas hazards this was probably the most generally reported medical situation linked to the season. ‘Linear international our bodies’, these string or string-like supplies inflicting an issue, seem like the most typical and so tinsel, lametta (the lengthy ornamental strips of tinsel) and string (round meat or used to hold decorations) had been widespread culprits. One among our vet members reported eradicating a sticky mass of sellotape from a cat’s gut in June that had been there since Christmas, evidenced by the adhered holly leaves seen in locations! As talked about above, cooked poultry bones might also lead to damage. In case your cat is seen chewing the tinsel or another string-like materials, forestall their entry if doable and control your pet for indicators of sickness. These indicators may be delicate in cats and embrace merely sleeping extra, hiding away and being sick or refusing meals. Seek the advice of your vet if you’re anxious about your pet and do point out any non-food materials you may have seen your cat chewing.
The best way to make Christmas much less disturbing for cats
This time of yr means numerous modifications to a house, and for cats who typically thrive on predictability, routine and the perceived security of their territory (their residence and backyard), this may be distressing. The furnishings is commonly moved round to accommodate further visitors, the tree is introduced in, lights and decorations are put up, music is performed, all making their residence look, sound and scent totally different. As well as, unfamiliar folks, and worse nonetheless unfamiliar canine could go to the home and even keep for a number of days, once more at variable occasions, interrupting the conventional routine. In an effort to minimise misery throughout this season think about the next:
- Guarantee your cat has a number of secure and comfy locations to cover and get away from the noise and hustle and bustle. A cardboard field or igloo mattress above the wardrobe or below the mattress can present safety. If new beds are added to the house right now, make them scent acquainted by including bedding already utilized by your cat.
- Advise guests to not method the cat whether it is in its mattress, however solely to stroke the cat if it initiates contact. Visiting youngsters could also be eager to see and cuddle the cat however mild stroking on the cat’s initiation have to be insisted upon.
- Friends may be given cat treats and toys to assist train the cat optimistic associations with the brand new folks.
- Guarantee there may be all the time an open door to permit the cat to get away from any noisy events or dinners to a quieter a part of the house.
- Think about plugging in a ‘Feliway’ diffuser into the room the cats spends most time a number of days earlier than the festivities start. This product (obtainable out of your vet) accommodates feline pheromones which can assist the cat really feel safer. Guarantee it’s switched on regularly all through the festive season.
- If guests are sleeping in one of many rooms the cat often makes use of, for instance, for sleeping, consuming or toileting, you’ll want to present the required assets (beds, meals or litter tray) in different quieter elements of the home and ideally, earlier than the guests arrive in order that modifications happen step by step and the cat is comfy with the brand new location.
- If the cat’s litter tray is positioned in a spot that can imply extra folks visitors or noise through the Christmas interval, it’s good observe to supply an extra litter tray in a quieter a part of the house.
- If the cat is especially sound delicate, keep away from crackers and get together poppers.
- If a canine is visiting it might be useful to limit its entry to the cats retreat areas utilizing for instance child gates on the steps.
