This text first appeared on iCatCare on the 04th of December 2019 right here.
How to verify your cat has a cheerful Christmas
Most of us look ahead to the festive interval; the meals, the friends, the tree and decorations. Nonetheless, for cats, Christmas could also be a time of stress and danger of harm. As a species they take pleasure in routine and are delicate to modifications of their atmosphere, making the celebrations difficult. As well as, the season means sure poisonous crops and meals could also be accessible to curious cats. At Worldwide Cat Care we now have consulted our veterinary members to ask them what accidents they see right now of 12 months. Based mostly on this data and with the enter of the Veterinary Poisons Info Service (VPIS) this text provides recommendation on what to maintain out of attain and what to do to minimise the disruption to maintain our cats pleased this Christmas.
Christmas crops
Poinsettia might be poisonous however medical indicators are normally delicate
Poinsettia is usually talked about as a probably toxic plant however its fame is probably unfair. The Veterinary Poisons Info Service informs us that in over half the instances of pets consuming Poinsettia crops reported to them, the cat or canine exhibits no indicators of sickness. In the event that they do present any indicators they’re delicate resembling being sick, drooling, refusing meals and being quieter than regular. Even these indicators quickly resolve with none particular remedy. However, it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to maintain the plant out of attain. As well as, mistletoe, holly, ivy and Christmas cherry may cause a tummy upset and must be refrained from inquisitive cats.
Christmas bushes and different decorations
Many cat homeowners have had the expertise of their cat climbing the Christmas tree and it falling over. Normally, each are unhurt however it’s price contemplating securing the tree to keep away from this. Accidents are reported from falling from Christmas bushes and from the ensuing smashed baubles, with glass ones notably sharp when damaged. Ingestion of Christmas tree needles and the pretend snow utilized to them may cause abdomen upset and different decorations might be ingested leading to a ‘international physique’. Chewing of lights and wires could be a downside, particularly for nosy kittens and it isn’t unusual for cats to cross urine simply the place you don’t need them to i.e. the tree, probably an issue if electrical plugs and wires are uncovered.  This could be a signal of stress so learn on for methods to scale back the anxiousness cats could undergo right now of 12 months.
One among our vets reported seeing a cat with a singed tail from Hanukkah menorah candles and positively uncovered candles could be a hazard to cats who have a tendency to leap onto window sills and mantelpieces the place candles are positioned. As elevated places are nonetheless accessible to most cats, candles must be saved the place you’ll be able to control them or left off the Christmas checklist.
Christmas meals
Right now of celebration meals could also be overlooked, left-overs left inside attain. We historically fear about canine and chocolate toxicity for instance however what about cats? Chocolate can be poisonous to cats, though the quantity a cat must eat to make them in poor health is so much larger than for canine. Indicators of chocolate poisoning together with being sick and passing diarrhoea, consuming so much, showing drunk, trembling and even having a match. Hopefully, a cat’s lesser curiosity in candy treats means this danger is small.
Equally, grapes and raisins, recognized for inflicting kidney harm in canine, could have an effect on cats however poisoning is way much less frequent. The VPIS would, nevertheless, advise remedy of cats recognized to have eaten these meals, and counsel that for instance mince pies should not overlooked. When you assume your cat has eaten such meals contact your vet and encourage them to name the VPIS for recommendation. With regards to meals, it could be tempting to deal with your cat this Christmas, maybe additional cat treats or some scraps from the Christmas dinner. Whereas slightly left-over turkey might be loved by the vast majority of cats with out hurt, extreme treats and human meals may make a cat poorly so do attempt to persist with their regular feeding routine this time of 12 months; they received’t know they’re lacking out! One other hazard might be cooked poultry bones – they’re laborious for cats to digest and might get caught within the digestive system so ensure your cats can’t raid the bin after the Christmas lunch.
Festive international our bodies
‘Overseas our bodies’ is the time period used to explain non-food gadgets which have grow to be lodged in a cat’s physique, usually the digestive tract. They’re much less frequent in cats than in canine, however we have been shocked by the quantity reported by our veterinary members. After we requested them about Christmas hazards this was essentially the most generally reported medical situation linked to the season. ‘Linear international our bodies’, these string or string-like supplies inflicting an issue, seem like the commonest and so tinsel, lametta (the lengthy ornamental strips of tinsel) and string (round meat or used to hold decorations) have been frequent culprits. One among our vet members reported eradicating a sticky mass of sellotape from a cat’s gut in June that had been there since Christmas, evidenced by the adhered holly leaves seen in locations! As talked about above, cooked poultry bones might also lead to harm. In case your cat is seen chewing the tinsel or another string-like materials, stop their entry if potential and control your pet for indicators of sickness. These indicators might be refined in cats and embrace merely sleeping extra, hiding away and being sick or refusing meals. Seek the advice of your vet in case you are frightened about your pet and do point out any non-food materials you’ve gotten seen your cat chewing.
The right way to make Christmas much less hectic for cats
This time of 12 months means plenty of modifications to a house, and for cats who usually thrive on predictability, routine and the perceived security of their territory (their dwelling and backyard), this may be distressing. The furnishings is usually moved round to accommodate additional friends, the tree is introduced in, lights and decorations are put up, music is performed, all making their dwelling look, sound and odor completely different. As well as, unfamiliar individuals, and worse nonetheless unfamiliar canine could go to the home and even keep for a number of days, once more at variable instances, interrupting the traditional routine. With the intention to minimise misery throughout this season think about the next:
- Guarantee your cat has a number of protected and comfy locations to cover and get away from the noise and hustle and bustle. A cardboard field or igloo mattress above the wardrobe or underneath the mattress can present safety. If new beds are added to the house right now, make them odor acquainted by including bedding already utilized by your cat.
- Advise guests to not strategy the cat whether it is in its mattress, however solely to stroke the cat if it initiates contact. Visiting youngsters could also be eager to see and cuddle the cat however light stroking on the cat’s initiation have to be insisted upon.
- Friends might be given cat treats and toys to assist train the cat constructive associations with the brand new individuals.
- Guarantee there may be all the time an open door to permit the cat to get away from any noisy events or dinners to a quieter a part of the house.
- Take into account plugging in a ‘Feliway’ diffuser into the room the cats spends most time a number of days earlier than the festivities start. This product (obtainable out of your vet) incorporates feline pheromones which may help the cat really feel safer. Guarantee it’s switched on regularly all through the festive season.
- If guests are sleeping in one of many rooms the cat normally makes use of, for instance, for sleeping, consuming or toileting, you should definitely present the required assets (beds, meals or litter tray) in different quieter elements of the home and ideally, earlier than the guests arrive in order that modifications happen step by step and the cat is comfy with the brand new location.
- If the cat’s litter tray is positioned in a spot that may imply extra individuals site visitors or noise through the Christmas interval, it’s good apply to offer an extra litter tray in a quieter a part of the house.
- If the cat is especially sound delicate, keep away from crackers and social gathering poppers.
- If a canine is visiting it could be useful to limit its entry to the cats retreat areas utilizing for instance child gates on the steps.
