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Holidays Spell Potential
DANGER for CATS
This FACT SHEET Can HELP
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Some cats view a Christmas tree as the world’s
greatest scratching post. Set up your tree on a
wide, flat, stable base, and consider anchoring it
to a window or wall using fishing line. Ornaments
should be pet-safe, i.e. made of fabric or wood.
Glass ornaments may fall and shatter, cutting an
animal's foot. Tinsel, ribbon, or popcorn strands,
if swallowed, may cause intestinal obstruction.
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Christmas tree water, if ingested, can make your cat
sick if it contains fertilizers, or if it has become
stagnant. Use a skirt or a cloth to cover the water
source at the base of the tree.
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Crowds and indoor festivities may frighten cats. If
throwing a party at home, make sure your cat has a
safe, quiet room all alone. Party horns, fireworks,
and loud music may make cats anxious and upset.
Please try not to take your cat with you to parties.
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With so many guests coming in and out, cats can dart
out the door during holiday season. Make sure your
cat has a collar and proper ID tags.
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If
you are traveling away from home during the
holidays, try to have a trusted family member,
friend, or professional pet sitter care for your cat
when you are away. If you must travel with your pet,
avoid airline travel, unless you can take your cat
in the cabin with you, rather than the cargo hold
below. Check with your airline regarding
guidelines.
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Be
careful with holiday leftovers. Chicken bones can
cause gastrointestinal obstructions, and chocolate
can be toxic to cats and dogs. An unattended
poultry carcass is a disaster waiting to happen. Any
sudden change in diet has the potential to cause
stomach upset. Aluminum foil and cellophane candy
wrappers can be harmful if swallowed as well.
Clever cats will quickly discover the turkey string
in the garbage, and if ingested, can cause stomach
upset or intestinal obstruction. Keep garbage cans
covered, or throw the turkey string in an outdoor
garbage receptacle.
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Exercise caution with lit pumpkins, Christmas and
Hanukkah candles. Curious kittens may get burned or
start a fire if they knock candles over.
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Some kittens like to chew on exposed wires, putting
them at risk for electrocution. Wires from holiday
lights should be taped to baseboards or hidden as
much as possible.
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Some dogs may tolerate festive holiday attire, but
cats rarely enjoy being dressed up. If you insist
on an outfit for your cat, make sure it’s safe. It
shouldn’t constrict movement, hearing, vision, or
ability to breathe. There shouldn’t be any dangling
or easily swallowed pieces on the costume.
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Some holiday decorations can be dangerous.
Poinsettias, mistletoe, ivy, and holly berries are
poisonous. Lilies are commonly used in seasonal
floral arrangements, but most varieties are
poisonous to cats and can lead to kidney failure.
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Ribbons and bows from holiday gifts are enticing to
cats and kittens. Ingestion of them can cause
intestinal blockage.
Updated
12/17/06 |
