If you search “cat” and “Christmas” on Twitter, you’ll find funny photos and videos. Especially popular: the cat disassembles the tree or at least keeps an eye on it. Some people come up with the idea of putting the Christmas tree in a cage for safety reasons. Not the cat.
But as funny as it is and as exciting for the curious animals – Christmas harbors dangers for cats. You don’t have to do without glittering decorations and atmospheric plants right away, but you should at least think about what could happen.
A Christmas tree is enticing for a cat and encourages climbing and claw sharpening. The balls glitter invitingly according to the motto “Catch me!”
But if they break, animals and people can injure themselves on the sharp shards. If the cat climbs the tree, it can get stuck and tip the tree over.
The risks cannot be completely avoided if you want to decorate your home in a festive way. However, if you decorate a little more sparingly and place the tree in such a way that it does not fall over immediately if a cat attacks, a lot is already gained.
It is also advisable to offer the cat a different change of pace so that the Christmas tree is not at the top of their to-do list. This can be a scratching post or a snuggle cave.
Pet owners should avoid real, i.e. burning, candles on the tree. If the cat fur catches fire, it becomes very dangerous for everyone involved. The animal can seriously injure itself and will panic on contact with fire.
What doesn’t immediately come to mind when you think of “Cats and Christmas” are probably the dangers of tinsel and artificial snow. If the animals swallow tinsel, in the worst case you have to go to the vet’s practice on the holidays because lumps have become knotted in the animal’s stomach.
Artificial snow can be toxic or at least unhealthy. It should therefore be placed in such a way that cats cannot lick it. The water in which the Christmas tree is standing should also be inaccessible to the animals. Because resins can dissolve in it, which is why it is no longer suitable as drinking water.
Some plants that are popular around Christmas and New Year’s Eve contain toxins and should be placed out of the cat’s reach. These include the poinsettia, the Christmas rose, the amaryllis, mistletoe, holly sprigs or lucky clover. Coniferous wood also contains toxic substances. If the cat has nibbled on it and shows signs of poisoning such as pain, drowsiness, vomiting or diarrhea, a visit to the vet is also advisable.
And last but not least: Christmas can be stressful not only for humans but also for pets. Because everyday life and the environment are changing drastically. Suddenly the apartment is full of people. The cat should have a place where it can retreat undisturbed and enjoy Christmas in a relaxed manner.
Sources: “Heart for Animals”, “Katzen-Leben.de”
You can see in the photo series: When the butter melts in the oven, it can actually only be about Christmas baking. Not in Carolin Loße’s bakery! Her cookie recipes are all animal-free. That doesn’t detract from the taste.
