Merry Christmas – for cats too!

We hope that this year we can celebrate Christmas again with the whole family and many friends! So that your cat can enjoy the Christmas season as much as you do, there are a few things to consider. We have put together the most important tips here.

Beautiful Christmas decorations now put us in a festive mood, and we are already looking forward to visits from dear people during the holidays. To ensure our cats don't experience too much stress during this time and aren't exposed to greater dangers, there are a few things cat owners should keep in mind. Not every cat behaves the same way. For a playful and adventurous cat, you'll primarily need to ensure safe decorations, while for a reserved, anxious cat, you'll need to focus more on avoiding too much stress.

Which fir trees are suitable as Christmas trees for cat owners?

The Christmas trees commonly used here are not poisonous to cats, and most cats don't even try to eat the needles. Nevertheless, you should remove fallen pine needles as a precaution – if swallowed by your cat, they can lead to intestinal irritation and constipation.

Some cats like to drink the stagnant water from the Christmas tree stand. Since it cannot be ruled out that this water contains pesticides, fertilizers, or preservatives, you should cover the opening of the stand so that your cat cannot drink from it.

Tips for cat-safe Christmas trees and decorations

For some cats, Christmas trees are very attractive. As soon as they are set up, they try to climb and explore the tree. Others show little interest in the tree, and still others approach the new home accessory with much skepticism and prefer to give it a wide berth.

If your cat enjoys climbing, then you must primarily ensure that the tree has a secure stand. In addition to a large, stable stand, the tree may need to be additionally secured to the wall or ceiling. Transparent fishing line, which is almost invisible yet very stable, is suitable for this, among other things.

Fragile Christmas ornaments should only be hung in the upper part of the Christmas tree, where they are out of reach for your cat. If glass ornaments fall and break, there is a risk that the cat could injure its paws on the shards. For this reason, such baubles should be secured not only with simple hooks but with strings or safety hooks. You can also completely forgo fragile baubles and decorate the tree with materials made of wood, cardboard, or sturdy plastic.

Tinsel can be very attractive to cats. However, if swallowed, it can lead to intestinal obstruction. Therefore, if you use tinsel at all, hang it only in the upper part of the tree. Also, be sure that there is no fallen tinsel on the floor. Fairy lights can also encourage your cat to play. These should therefore be fastened tightly to the tree, and no loose cables should hang down.

Even if you have taken all these precautions, you should never leave your cat unsupervised in the same room with the decorated Christmas tree. Therefore, if possible, place it in a room from which you can exclude the cat.

Good food for us - Risk for the cat

Of course, we would like our Precious ones to also benefit a little from the many culinary delights we enjoy during the holidays. A little salmon or a piece of ham quickly ends up in the cat's bowl. A small piece of these treats usually doesn't harm, but too much can lead to digestive problems, and in sensitive animals, even to acute and life-threatening pancreatitis. If you want to give your cat something especially good for Christmas, then rather offer them a special cat snack!

Another danger is the netting around rolled ham. After removing it, immediately throw it into a cat-proof bin. If swallowed by your cat, it can lead to intestinal obstruction. 

Gift ribbons and candles

Many cats love to play with gift ribbons. If swallowed, these can also lead to a dangerous obstruction in the intestines. Therefore, make sure that no loose ribbons are lying around after wrapping or unwrapping gifts.

Burning candles can awaken your cat's curiosity. If it can approach the candle unhindered, there is a risk that it could singe its whiskers, burn its nose or paws, or that its tail hairs could catch fire. Therefore, always place candles out of your cat's reach, and never leave a candle burning when you leave the room.

Poisonous Plants

Many young cats and those kept indoors permanently like to nibble on houseplants. However, some typical Christmas plants are poisonous to cats. Especially amaryllis, hyacinths, and all lilies are very poisonous! If you receive such plants as gifts, it is best to place them in a room to which the cat has no access. If this is not possible, give these plants to someone who does not own a pet.

Poinsettias are less dangerous plants, as cultivated varieties are usually non-toxic. Nevertheless, cats may react with an upset stomach and vomiting if they eat them.

Reducing Christmas stress for cats too

For many cats, visits from family and friends at Christmas mean great stress. Perhaps we ourselves are stressed during the preparations, which our sensitive housemates naturally notice. Unfamiliar smells, loud conversations, and Christmas music cause further excitement. Too much stress not only disturbs the cat's well-being, but it can also have health consequences for them. For example, stress is a risk factor for bladder infections. It can also trigger increased grooming behavior, which can go so far as to create bald spots in the coat.

Therefore, during the holidays, offer your cat several retreat options in the apartment. Place their cat scratcher, their bed, their food, and their water in a room that guests do not enter and where they can retreat at any time.

If you already know that your cat struggles with such stress, you can also help them with a special plug-in diffuser that releases calming and stress-reducing pheromones into the environment (e.g., Feliway Optimum). Additionally, you can start giving your cat a calming food supplement several days before Christmas. Various products are available that provide relaxation and well-being with natural substances such as milk proteins (Zylkène), green tea concentrate (Anxitane), with valerian (Pet Remedy), lemon balm and lavender (marsavet Calm Tropfen), or CBD (anibidiol) for relaxation and well-being.

Gift Ideas for Cats

Since our pets are part of the family, we also want to bring them joy with a small gift for Christmas. Playful kittens will be happy about a fun toy, while older and calmer cats will appreciate a new cozy bed. We have put together some gift ideas for you.

We wish you and your four-legged friends a wonderful and safe Advent season, and peaceful and relaxed Christmas!

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