Planning a Safe Christmas for Your Cat

When it comes to Christmas, there are so many things to be careful of — not gaining weight on indulgences, not getting yourself into debt by buying presents — and of course keeping your cats healthy, happy and safe. Here are some helpful tips from your friends at Hill's Pet Nutrition on how you can do just that.

• Provide solitude. Guests may cramp your cat's style, so keep their favourite place free from the hubbub so they can relax.
• Keep poisonous and dangerous plants away. Plants like mistletoe and poinsettia are poisonous, and ingested pine needles can cause digestive tract blockage. Keep your cat away from these plants and you just might save yourself a trip to the emergency vet.
• Decorate safely. There are a variety of decorations that can cause problems for your cat. Ribbons and tinsel are frequently implicated in veterinary emergency rooms. Light cords, when chewed or frayed, can cause severe burns or electrocution. Prevent these disasters by keeping decorations out of your cat’s reach or locked in an inaccessible room.
• Make trips safe and prepare for them well in advance. Take special precautions when travelling with your cat no matter how you choose to travel. Several days before departing, consult with your veterinarian about how to properly prepare for a trip.
• Table scraps aren't cat snacks. Many festive foods are loaded with fat and sodium and can cause stomach upset. Not to mention the additional calories! Chicken bones can easily get stuck in a cat’s digestive tract and other foods like chocolate and onions can be poisonous. In short, people food is meant for people. Stay disciplined and keep your cat on the right Science Plan or Prescription Diet cat food for optimal health.
• Chocolate can cause illness and even death in cats, so should be avoided completely. Chocolate contains theobromine, a potent cardiovascular and central nervous system stimulant that is eliminated very slowly in cats.
• If your cat experiences occasional stomach upset, consider Science Plan Sensitive Stomach & Skin for adult cats. For best results, your cat should gradually transition over 7 days from their current cat food to the new cat food to avoid digestive upset or food avoidance.
• Are you looking for a recipe for a healthy homemade cat treat? Check out these cat treat recipes.