Holiday Hazards for Cats

“Tis the season to be jolly” and we all want to be sure our furry children have as much fun as their people.

Cats are curious, adventurous, brave creatures, and the month of December offers all sorts of new and interesting things for them to explore, smell and eat.  Here are a few ways to keep our pets safe as we decorate and celebrate our way through the holiday season.

Cats and Chocolate

We humans LOVE chocolate and want to share this love with our kitties.  Please don’t.

Chocolate contains the compound theobromine, which is a cardiac stimulant and diuretic.
Theobromine can cause the pet's heart rate to increase dangerously or it may cause the heart to beat irregularly.  There is a greater risk with dark rather than milk or white chocolate, since it contains a higher level of theobromine..  Cats can’t clear this chemical from their bodies as quickly as humans, and if it builds up in the cats system, it can be potentially lethal.

Some symptoms of chocolate poisoning in cats is increased urine production, diarrhea, lethargy, vomiting, depression and muscle tremors.  Please call your vet if you suspect chocolate poisoning.

Kitties and Poisonous Plants

Even though cats are carnivores, they still love to eat plants.  The most deadly plant for cats this time of year is mistletoe.   Poinsettias can cause mouth irritation, upset stomach and sometimes vomiting, but they are not nearly as bad as their toxic reputation.  Christmas trees, pine needles and even water from around the base of the Christmas tree can cause oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, trembling and hind end weakness.

Other plants that are poisonous to cats are castor bean, foxglove, lily-of-the-valley, Japanese yew, oleander, azalea, rhododendron, hydrangea, amaryllis, daffodils, iris, hyacinth and honeysuckle. 

 Oh Christmas Tree……Oh Christmas Tree……How I’d love to climb thee….

 Look what Santa Claus brought for ME!!!!  Ornaments to break, electrical wires to chew, tinsel and pine needles to eat, branches to climb, tree water to drink, ribbons to chew, pretty paper to rip.

Here are a few tips to keep kitty safe:

·        Choose a spot for the tree away from furniture which kitty can use as a launching pad onto the tree.  Also be sure to secure the tree to the wall or ceiling.

·        NO HOOKS!  Hang your ornaments with ribbon or yarn.  You don’t want your furry friend to swallow a sharp hook or get it stuck in his paw.

·        Put only pet-safe ornaments on the bottom branches of the tree.  You don’t want kitty chewing or stepping on broken ornaments, or eating small ornaments.  Spending Christmas in the vet’s office is not merry.

·        Beware of the Hanukkah Menorah candles.  Kitty flambé is not very festive.

·        Keep the tree water covered and inaccessible.

·        Swinging from electrical cords or chewing on them may seem like fun to kitty.  Make sure all electrical cords are out of reach or taped to the wall or floor. 

·        Sweep up the pine needles before they become kitty’s snack.

May you and all your loved pets have a happy and healthy holiday season.