Tips for Keeping Cats Safe at Christmas

Cats are attracted to many Christmas decorations, unaware of the dangers they present. Follow these Christmas safety tips for cats to keep your feline friend healthy and safe this Christmas season.

A Christmas tree is a very dangerous curiosity for a cat. To keep your cat safe at Christmas, keep it away from the Christmas tree. If possible, put the tree in a separate room the cat does not have access to it, or keep the cat in a closed off area of the house, away from the Christmas tree. If the Christmas tree and the cat must share the same room, for the cat's safety, do not leave him/her alone in the same room as the Christmas tree. When a cat tries to get to those shiny Christmas decorations, the tree can topple over, the ornaments can break and the cat can get injured, requiring an emergency trip to the vet.

Needles that come loose from a real Christmas tree can puncture a cat's intestines, so keep them picked up so your cat cannot swallow them.

Special water designed for Christmas trees contain preservatives that are poisonous to a cat. Use plain water or cover the water.

Christmas lights are another attraction to a cat, especially when blinking. Put the cat in another room when the lights are blinking or supervise your cat when he is in the same room with the blinking lights.

Cats love strings and things that shine. Avoid decorating with tinsel. Tinsel is a great danger to cats. It can get wrapped around the cat's teeth and when swallowed can cause obstruction of the intestines requiring surgery. Ribbons, rubber bands and yarn can also cause life threatening injuries if swallowed. Many plants are poisonous to cats. Mistletoe, poinsettias, holly berries, buckeyes, marijuana, and lillies must be kept away from cats for their safety. Either avoid these plants totally or hang them high from a ceiling where the cat has no way to reach it.

Foods that should not be given to cats include chocolate, onions, and caffeine. Instruct smokers to help you keep your cat safe at Christmas by keeping cigarette butts away from them. Cats can get nicotine poisoning, a life threatening emergency.

Keep all spills in garages cleaned up at Christmas and all year around. Cats can die from 1 tablespoon of that sweet tasting antifreeze.

If you suspect your cat has gotten into a poison or not sure if something is safe for your cat, you can call or check with the ASPCA on line, or call the National Animal Poison Control Center at 1-800-548-2423, available 24 hours a day, for answers to questions. (There may be a charge for the call). Of course, contact your veterinarian or on-call vet service.

Cats like to hide and snuggle next to a car's engine during cold months. Before starting your car during the Christmas season, bang on the hood or beep the horn to make sure there are no unpleasant surprises when starting your car. If unsure, go ahead and open the hood and check.

Supervise all kids handling your cat. For the safety of your cat and the children at Christmas, tell your young guests how to treat the cat properly. If they are too young to follow the rules or choose not to, remove the cat to a quiet, separate room. This will keep the peace at Christmas by preventing kids from being clawed or bitten by an upset cat. If you know your cat does not appreciate a lot of people and noise, provide him with a quiet area away from the Christmas activities to keep him calm and happy.