Don't Go Near There! 3 Steps To Protect Your Cat During The Holidays
Now that the holidays are here, it's time to get ready for the parties and the decorations. If you've got cats in your home, it's also time to start safeguarding them against hazards. You might not know this, but the holidays can be particularly dangerous for cats. To help keep your cat happy and healthy during the holidays, here are three important safety measures you should take.
Leave Your Tree Bare for a Few Days
If you're going to be decorating a tree during the holidays, remember that it's going to look like a new play zone for your cat. Instead of bringing the tree in and immediately decorating it, leave it bare for a few days. Give your cat enough time to get used to it. Be sure to shoo it away if it tries to climb in it. The last thing you want is to give it the false impression that it's okay to climb in the tree. Once your cat is no longer interested in the tree, go ahead and start with the decorations. Make sure that you keep the electrical cords for the lights up off the ground, or choose battery-operated lights instead. You don't want your cat to chew through the cords and injure itself, or start a fire.
Cover the Water Reservoir
If you've chosen a live tree this year, you'll need to place water in the reservoir. The water will help keep the tree moist, which will reduce the chances of fires. However, it's important to remember that the water in the reservoir will be harmful to your cat to consume since it will have a pine tree soaking in it. To prevent your cat from ingesting the water, and getting sick, place a cover over the water reservoir. A simple way to keep your cat out of the water is to place foil over the reservoir.
Switch to Battery-Operated Candles
If you're going to use candles for your decorations or to set the mood during your festivities, you'll want to keep them away from your cat. The flickering flames can be quite the enticement for curious cats. Unfortunately, not only will the flames burn your cat, but if the candles are knocked over while they're lit, you could end up with a house fire on your hands. Protect your cat and your family by switching to battery-operated candles for your holiday decorations.
Make sure your cat is protected from injuries during the holidays. For other tips on how to safeguard your cats, be sure to speak to your local animal hospital or veterinarian.