I confess. I am not a fan of the holidays. The older I get, the less work I want to do, which means the holidays really get me anxious. I’d much rather sit around in the warm sun, nap and do nothing. Guess I should have been a cat, huh? At any rate, we can’t avoid the holidays altogether, especially when we have family relying upon us to make it all happen, and as if we don’t have enough to do already, we also have to take into consideration the health and safety of our pets during these busy weeks ahead.
Now that Thanksgiving is just a few days away, it’s important to take note of how we can make it safe for our cats. It’s easy to get caught up in the flurry of things to do, but remember that your feline friend should enjoy a safe and healthy celebration, as well. Cattime.com offers a few tips and suggestions.
First of all, keep all of the food in mind. Save it all for the humans this week. There will be feasts galore, I am sure, and more than likely your cat will be interested to know what is being served. However, if your kitty partakes in the rich meats, veggies and yummy desserts, she could end up with some serious health problems. The fat content alone in what we eat on Thanksgiving is difficult enough for us to digest (post-dinner nap, anyone?), and it can wreak havoc on our cat’s digestive system, leading to upset stomach, constipation, diarrhea or vomiting. It can also put your cat at risk for issues of the pancreas. None of these things are what you want to celebrate, I am sure.
Other food items to keep away from your cat include poultry bones, dried fruits, nuts, chocolate, onions, mushrooms, alcohol and several types of herbs and spices. Sage is a commonly used spice at Thanksgiving and it can seriously threaten your cat’s central nervous system if ingested in large quantities.
Even though you will be busy tending to many things this week, be sure to maintain a regular schedule for your cat. All of the chaos can make your cat stressed, so try to stick to her routine as much as you can. This means to still take her outside for some play if she is used to it. Keep her feeding schedule the same, too. A routine will make your cat feel some sense of normalcy at a time when you feel “normal” has just flown out the window.
If you are having guests over, be sure to set out the ground rules. Let them know you have a cat and advise them not to give her any table scraps or treats. If your cat becomes nervous around meeting new people, you should consider putting her in a back bedroom when your guests arrive.
This is also the time to set aside a quiet place for your cat to relax. Cats can become overwhelmed just as easily as we can, so set up a safe sanctuary for her to relax. This should be quiet, calm and away from the flow of party traffic. Make sure to provide some of her favorite toys that will comfort her and put her food and water dishes in a place readily available to her. Be sure to step away from your guests on occasion to check on her throughout the celebration and give her some love!
Also, keep the collar secure on your cat and make sure her microchip information is current in the event she should escape through the front door our out the back gate. (Despite everyone’s best intentions, this can happen.) If you haven’t had your cat microchipped, now is a good time to speak to your vet about getting one implanted before the holidays are in full swing.
While this may seem overwhelming, it really is quite simple and once you have ensured your cat will be safe, cozy, comfortable and secure, you can enjoy the holiday celebrations as you desire!
Written by Ann Butenas
An internationally-recognized author and writer, Ann began her professional writing career at age 12 and began speaking while in college. She has been published thousands of times over the past three decades in all media forms, was former editor and publisher of KC Metro Woman magazine, and has also hosted three talk radio shows in the Kansas City area.
