CHRISTMAS WITH CATS
HOW DO I MAKE CHRISTMAS STRESS FREE FOR MY CAT?
By taking a cat’s eye view and anticipating the potential problems, your cat can have a stress-free festive season:
1 Consider how your cat’s routine and environment could change over the festive period and institute the necessary changes well in advance so your cat can get used to this change of routine.
2 Unless your cat is the resident party animal, you will need to create a safe haven that he can retreat to whenever he feels anxious.A room in a quieter part of the house should be reserved for this purpose. Place familiar items in the room, such as his bed, food, water, litter tray, scratching post, and toys. Plug in a pheromone diffuser to aid relaxation and increase his sense of security.
3 Maintain your cat’s normal feeding schedule and stay consistent with food types and amounts.
4 It’s easy to overlook your cat’s needs when you’re busy shopping, cooking, and entertaining. Set aside some quality time every day to give your cat some extra TLC and a stimulating play session.
5 A house filled with unfamiliar people can be very stressful to your cat. Move him into his safe haven prior to the arrival of your guests. Close the door and put a sign outside politely requesting that guests keep the door closed during their visit.
HOW CAN I KEEP MY CAT SAFE AT CHRISTMAS?
WINTER CARE:
❈ Dry your cat off — after spending time outdoors, your cat will return feeling cold, and quite possibly wet. Dry him off and make sure you provide somewhere warm and cosy for him to curl up in — this is particularly important for older cats.
❈ Inspect the paws — during snowy spells, be sure to inspect your cat’s paws when he returns inside. Cats, particularly those with longer hair, are prone to getting snow trapped between their toes which can compact and turn into small balls of ice and cause discomfort and pain.
❈ Provide a litter tray — even if your cat normally goes outside when nature calls, it may be worth considering providing a litter tray during the coldest months. Some pets will be content to spend their usual amount of time outdoors, come rain or shine, while others may become more inclined to stay indoors a little more when the weather takes a turn for the worse.
❈ Keep him stimulated — provide him with entertaining toys and games, such as a play tunnel, scratching post, or ball game. ❈ Safe from cars — traffic conditions change due to lower visibility and increased traffic at certain times, particularly close to Christmas as shoppers and visitors take to the roads. If you live near a busy road, try to limit the amount of time your cat spends outdoors in the evenings and early mornings to avoid any potential accidents.