We all hope our holidays are the most wonderful time of the year. But for many cats, the extra activity and changes can turn their safe home into a scary, new landscape. Here’s how help your cats sail through the holidays with you.
Will you decorate?
Cats love predictability. Rearranging the decor—and sometimes the furniture—to add decorations can be stressful for some kitties.
The best way to decorate? Let them adapt by helping! As you bring out each item, let the cats ‘meet’ it by sniffing. If you have to rearrange furniture, move it slowly.
If you put up a tree, give them a chance to rub on it and claim it as theirs. Save the fragile ornaments for your upper layers and let the cats have sturdier ones below.
If you have a cat who can’t resist climbing the tree (and let’s face it, that’s a perfectly natural thing for many cats to do!), don’t fight feline instincts. Now is the time to give them their own new cat tree and reward them for going on–or in!–it instead.
Avoid items that are sharp or small enough to swallow, just like you would with a tiny human. And live candles? Enjoy them supervised but please snuff them out after so they don’t singe or burn your kitties.
Slowing down while you decorate can be good for your holiday stress too. Your cats can help you savor each little change and be present for this special time of the year.
Will you have visitors?
If friends and family coming to stay with you over the holidays, consider your cats’ point of view. You may have grown up with these people but your cats may have never met them, so will need a little time to adjust.
Place your cats in their Safe Room (their favorite room, probably the one they started their lives with you) while you let your human guests settle in theirs. Then give your friends or family kitty treats to offer, and lend them your cats’ favorite wand toys. Having a good experience with the new humans will help smooth the way to kitty friendships.
If your cats decide they’d rather stay in their Safe Room because the rest of the house is just too people-y, let them! Give your cats a chance to make friends on their own time.
Most cats don’t appreciate other animals in their territory, so please ask your guests to leave their dogs and cats at home. If they must bring their pets, either confine your pet guests to their room or let them out only when your own cats are in their Safe Room.
Keeping them separate may seem rigid, but your cats will appreciate not having their home invaded by other animals who may or may not be friendly.
Will you have special food?
Most cats won’t be attracted to food like candy and cookies, but if you have one that is, make sure they don’t have access.
As a carnivore, your cat will probably be most interested in any meat you’re serving. Plain meat can be a treat for your kitties; just don’t overindulge or they could have tummy upsets.
The most tempting and dangerous food item will probably be your turkey. Make sure neither your cats nor your dogs have access to the bones. Cooked bones can splinter and could send your pets to the ER with life-threatening results.
Will you host a party?
A holiday party melds territory changes with strangers from outside and tempting food. The easiest way to keep everyone happy is to install your cats in their Safe Room before the guests arrive.
Give them their favorite food, toys and maybe a little holiday catnip cheer. That can make the difference between hiding terrified under the bed or relaxing and having their own happy holiday party while you have yours.
Sara Ferguson is the Director of Happy Cats Haven, a feline rescue and adoption center in Manitou Springs, Colorado, where everyone gets all the catnip they want for the holidays.
