How to celebrate Christmas with your cat

Christmas is one of the most anticipated events of the year – the food, the sparkly lights, thoughtful gifts and spending quality time with friends and family. It is totally natural therefore that you would want to include the feline members of your family in the festive fun. But not all the activities us humans partake in are suitable for cats. So here is our ultimate guide to making Christmas a time that your cat will enjoy too.

Advent calendars

Children of all ages, and adults too, enjoy the build up to Christmas by counting down the days with an advent calendar. There is no reason why your cats can’t have their own advent calendar too. Whilst they won’t understand the countdown to the big day they will most certainly appreciate a daily treat. Some include toys as well as a tasty treat. Enjoy choosing one that is perfect for your cat. Do not be tempted to share your chocolate advent calendar treat with your cat as chocolate is poisonous to cats.

For a cat friendly advent calendar:

Only buy advent calendars specifically made for cats

Christmas trees

Many of us opt for a real Christmas tree and most species are not toxic. However, the needles can cause an upset tummy for your cat if ingested and potentially cause damage internally from the sharpness of the needles. Opt for a Christmas tree species that doesn’t drop its needles. Keep your Christmas tree watered to help reduce needles dropping and vacuum regularly. Make sure that your cat is unable to reach the tree’s water container as this water can contain pine resin, preservative chemicals and other substances which are toxic to cats.

The decorative baubles, shiny tinsel and twinkling lights are most certainly tempting especially to a young playful kitten. The danger is if they climb the tree and it topples over so consider securing your tree to the wall or ceiling. Secure baubles well so if they do have a playful tap they aren’t knocked off. Avoid using glass baubles, if they break the broken glass could result in a broken paw. If your cat is prone to chewing wires use battery powered LED lights on your tree. Chocolate is toxic to cats therefore avoid edible decorations.

Tip: Placing pine cones sprayed with citronella around the base of the tree may deter your cat from investigating it, they do not like the strong citrus aroma.

It may be an idea to ensure the Christmas tree room is out of access when you are not around or asleep.

For a cat friendly Christmas tree:

Buy an artificial tree
Why not opt for a completely different kind of tree – a fabric or a cardboard tree? We love this Christmas tree wall tapestry!
Secure the tree to the wall or ceiling to avoid the danger of toppling over if it does get used as a climbing pole
Secure decorations firmly on to the tree avoiding glass decorations or tinsel
Buy decorations especially made for cats – soft felts, cardboard and material are great alternatives
Put a blanket and some of your cat’s favourite toys near the tree so she may then be more interested in her favourite belongings rather than the tree.

Christmas plants

Some popular Christmas plants are toxic to cats therefore best to avoid having these in the house or ensure they are safely out of your cats reach. These plants include:

mistletoe
poinsettias
holly berries
amaryllis
lilies
Christmas cactus

Check out our article ‘Has my cat been poisoned’ for more information. If you think your cat has consumed anything poisonous then contact your vet immediately.

For cat friendly Christmas plants:

There are plenty of silk or artificial plants available that can provide the festive colour to your home without the risk of making your cat poorly. The choice online is vast – Christmas trees, festive wreaths, garlands, pot plants, bouquets and even individual sprigs of holly and mistletoe. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Christmas decorations

Snow globes can contain ethylene glycol, also known as antifreeze. This is highly toxic to cats. Whilst there is no danger if they are happy to leave it alone, if it was knocked over and they licked it or ingested it whilst grooming it could prove fatal. Any glass ornaments are also dangerous, if knocked over they may cut their paws on the broken glass. It is best to avoid candles unless you are always present whilst they are lit. Also, artificial snow is toxic to cats.

For cat friendly Christmas decorations:

There are decorations specifically for cat such as a festive catnip stocking
Opt for soft fabric decorations such as felt or velvet, and paper or cardboard decorations
Decorate your mantlepiece with a Christmas stocking especially filled with many little cat treats and gits. Whilst your cat may not appreciate a whole lot of opening gits on Christmas day, why not introduce a new treat or toy from the stocking in the days leading up to Christmas?

Christmas dinner

The Christmas dinner is the highlight of the day for most people – beautiful turkey with all the trimmings of pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, stuffing and vegetables galore. The smell of the cooking turkey is tempting for humans and cats, but your cat will not thank you for this rich, high fat content meal. An upset stomach is not going to please your cat, or you! If you decided to share some turkey, then small amounts are best. A little turkey breast is fine but avoid giving fatty pieces as this can cause an upset stomach too. Make sure any turkey you give your cat is well-cooked. Under-cooked turkey can contain salmonella bacteria and just like us, cats who consume it can get sick. Turkey bones can splinter and cause blockages in the throat and digestive system therefore ensure any turkey you give your cat has absolutely no bones at all.

For cat friendly Christmas dinner:

A little lean turkey breast meat is fine as an exceptional treat
Even better would be to treat your cat to some luxury turkey wet cat food, there are plenty of varieties to choose from.

Festive food

Many of the food and drink we consume over the festive period is actually harmful to cats. These toxic foods include:

Chocolate is very toxic and veterinary advice should be sought immediately if your cat has consumed any. It can be fatal therefore ensure no chocolates are left around where your cat may try them. Be wary of any wrapped chocolates under the tree if your cat is prone to prying in the presents pile. Do not hang chocolate decorations on the tree.
Grapes and raisins are found in many Christmas food including Christmas cake and mince pies and they can cause kidney failure in cats.
Onions and garlic, both cooked and raw, can be toxic therefore do not let your cat lick any gravy or sauce spillages.
Alcohol, even in small quantities, can be dangerous.

Check out our article ‘Has my cat been poisoned’ for more information. If you think your cat has consumed anything poisonous then contact your vet immediately.

Indulging your cat with additional rich food over the festive period really isn’t the best way to treat them, it’s better to give them additional attention and a new toy or a new bed.

For cat friendly Christmas food:

A few treats specifically made for cats will be just perfect.
If you insist on trying something new try some of the gourmet broths and soups now available for cats (a hit in our household all year round!).

Christmas presents

Who doesn’t love presents? And whilst your cat won’t really know if you bought her anything or not, if your household is anything like ours, Christmas simply wouldn’t be complete without ensuring the cats have been treated to gifts too. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, in fact, your cat would probably have just as much fun if you kept some of the empty boxes from other presents. Cats love to hide and what better than a new box to explore and hide in.

For cat friendly Christmas presents:

Check out our article ‘Best gifts for cats’ which include our favorite finds. The list of suitable presents could be endless, but our gifts can include:

A fun new toy
A comfortable new bed or blanket
A brand new scratching post
Some special treats or luxury cat food to try
Keep some boxes for her to play with. Check out our article ’18 Games to play with your cat’ for ideas on how to use those leftover boxes

Friends and family

The Christmas household can be a very busy one with high energy levels and excitement especially with children around. It is a time that is usually busy with many visitors calling by, some of you may have family and friends staying over too. Some cats may enjoy the additional attention, but it is still important that there is somewhere that your cat can go to have some peace and quiet time. Allocate a visitor free room if possible where your cat can go. Put some food, fresh water and a litter tray there, make sure there is somewhere comfortable and warm to have a nap, and respect your cats wishes if she withdraws form social engagement.

For cat friendly visitors:

Ensure a visitor free room where your cat can go for quiet time
Observe and respect your cat’s wishes as to how much socialising she is comfortable with
Try to keep your cat’s routine as normal as possible amidst the excitement and chaos.

Christmas jumpers and costumes

The Christmas jumper is certainly a growing trend with parents and grandparents joining in with their children in this new craze. And whilst it may be very tempting to dress your cats up to look super cute too it may be worth pausing a while and consider is this really making your cat happy? A quick photo with a cheeky Christmas hat will do no harm but to dress them up all day in a festive outfit? Here’s why your cat may not like being dressed up:

Cats depend on their sense of smell for communicating so to have her fur covered in a foreign smell will not be natural to her. She will probably spend a lot of time cleaning and grooming when it is removed.
The new strange sensation of clothing may cause her to become frightened and anxious at which point many cat’s instinct is to run away and hide. And if this costume is still on her this will only cause further distress if she can’t take it off.
Any buttons, ribbons or decorations on the costume may prove a choking hazard if your cat starts chewing them. This could result in an emergency visit to the vet.

Do not force your cat to do anything they don’t want to do, they could cause injury to themselves or you could get scratched or bitten too.

For cat friendly dressing up:

Of course, there are always some cats who defy the rules, and a few may enjoy some playful dress up time. To ensure your cat is happy and comfortable bear in mind the following:

Introduce any costume or accessory to her slowly, let her smell and investigate it.
Ensure it doesn’t interfere with her eyes, nose or whiskers and that she can move freely in it.
Stop if she shows any signs of becoming stressed.
Most importantly, never leave your cat unattended in a costume.

Travelling over the Christmas period

Many choose to go away over this busy period either visiting friends and family or opting for a vacation. Ensure your cat-sitter or cattery is booked well in advance. If you are travelling with your cat you also need to prepare for this in advance too.

For cat friendly travelling:

Everything you need to know, whether travelling by car, bus, train or plane is explained in detail in our article ‘Tips for Travelling with your cat’. This article will help you plan your journey in advance with tips to ensure the journey is as stress free as possible for your cat, and you.

Wintry weather

Most of us wish for a white Christmas, picture perfect postcard scenes, cosy nights in in front of a roaring fire and plenty of delicious food and drink. But for those of us who have cats who wander outside, we need to aware that heavy snowfall and icy temperatures comes with some risks for them. Listed below are some key things to consider when the temperatures start plummeting outside.

For cat safety and comfort in wintry weather:

If your cat hasn’t experienced snow before, allow them to wander outside in a safe enclosed area and stay with them while they investigate the new sensation of snow.
Keep your cat in overnight – apart from avoiding falling freezing temperatures your cat will be safer from traffic accidents too.
Ensure any outside water bowls that your cat uses are not frozen over. Make water available indoors too.
The cold may particularly affect elderly cats or ones that suffer from arthritis. Make a warm, comfortable place for them to rest.
Check cat flaps are still accessible. They can sometimes freeze or become blocked by snow.
A warm engine can be the perfect place to hide or have a nap on a cold day. Check your vehicles before starting the engine.
Shelter is key in winter for cats who are allowed access to the outside. Leave a door slightly open on an outbuilding or shed or simply make a sturdy, dry home-made shelter out of a box and some waterproof sheeting.
Anti-freeze is highly toxic to cats. A very small amount of antifreeze can cause kidney failure and death when ingested by cats. Ensure bottles are stored safely out of reach and clean up any spillages thoroughly.
Rock salt is also used regularly in winter to de-ice slippery paths. It is toxic to cats, they can very easily consume rock salt if they lick it off their paws whilst grooming.

And finally…….Christmas should be a time for love, joy and laughter and by considering all members of the family, including the furry feline members, everyone will be able to enjoy and relax over the holiday season. Merry Christmas to you all.

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