How to keep your holiday season cat and kitten friendly
Christmas can always be quick to become chaos, especially with a mischievous cat around! We'll help your home be overrun with nothing but holiday cheer this season.
We all know how cats and kittens can be: chaos and mischief are an essential part of daily life. Adding sparkly lights, decadent food, and many more members of the family can definitely ramp up the opportunities for a fur-raising end to the year. So how can you keep the peace, and have an equally fabulous and relaxed Christmas for everyone involved? We'll help you have the meow-zing holiday season you've been dreaming of, and keep even the furrier members of the family included in the festive fun.
Here's our first tip for leaving seasonal vet trips off of your bingo card for the year.
Paws off the decorations
It can be so tempting to dress your home up with all the sparkle and festive cheer there is, but Christmas decorations can be the ultimate playground for your kittycat friends. Many holiday decorations can be harmful to cats due to their materials, length, or textures, even if they may seem unassuming at first. Examples of particularly tricky decorations include tinsel, due to it being dangerous if ingested, baubles, due to them being dangerous if broken, and wired lights for both reasons. We all know how much cats love to cause chaos and play, so in our experience, it's best not to risk it if you're not sure. Festive plants, including wreaths and Christmas trees, can be hard to compromise on since they're so iconic for the holidays. However, pine needles and holly berries can be toxic to pussycats, so can end up making your holidays more funky than fresh. We recommend striking a balance between a holiday-themed and a cat-themed home, by tailoring your decorations for both your fur babies and your space. For example, keep the more delicate and chaos-inducing decorations up high out of your cats reach, or swap toxic materials for cat-safe alternatives. You can also discourage your cats for eating your ornaments or tree with natural methods, such as lining the base with orange peel, as most cats can't stand the smell of the citrus oils.
Now that your cat has their paws off your decorations, how can you keep their paws off your dinner too?
Food for thought
Your Christmas dinner can be one of the best parts of the season, and we can bet your cat is thinking the same too. With delicious turkey, chicken, roasted veg, and cream puddings, your furry friend is bound to be licking their lips and purring up a storm for a yummy bite of it all. However, many foods that are mouth-watering for us can be deadly for our kitties, no matter how much they want a taste. It's important to keep cats out of the kitchen and away from holiday feasts, to ensure they don't sneak a bite and throw up festive cheer all over your brand new carpet. Make sure any leftovers are tucked away from thieving paws, and guests know not leave plates unattended, as even cat-safe foods, such as poultry, can cause upset tummies when cooked for humans, or eaten in large quantities. Boxes of holiday sweets and treats can also pose a threat, as chocolate and confectionary can be very toxic for pussycat pals, and determined kitties can break into sealed boxes even without opposable thumbs. We recommend keeping festive chocs and sweets in cupboards or out of reach for a puke-free season, and more treats for you. Bring your cat in on the fun and stop them from being tempted, by making them their own delicious Christmas dinner. Check out our article on making your own tasty cat treats, or serve them a bowl of delicious and seasonal Tilly & Ted recipes, such as our festive Chicken Mousse or Turkey Pâté with Chicken and Squash.
The holiday season can be a party and a half, but even the most extroverted need some alone time. Make sure your kitty can take time for themselves.
It's my party, I'll hide if I want to
For a lot of people, the holidays can turn into a full party, with family and friends visiting all throughout December. Even the most sociable of cats like to take time for themselves, so make sure your kitty can find some solitude if your home is a busy one this season. Allowing your cat their own quite space can help them chill out and enjoy the season too, so having a separate room or space for them is key. Make sure this is a space people will not be coming and going from, and your guests know to let your furry friend have some peace, even if some pets and cuddles are had along the way. Having high up hideaways or cosy dens your cat can escape into also means you can still enjoy company without worrying about the mental health of your best floofy pal. If you have an indoor-only cat, it can be useful to ensure all guests are aware of the kitty and their safe space, so they can be vigilant when opening and shutting doors and no great holiday escape occurs.
Speaking of parties, with lots of guests comes lots of noise. How can you have fun and keep things quiet for your kitty?
The festive period can be a loud one, with fireworks, bells, singing and dancing all season long. Pussycats tend to prefer a quieter time overall, and many kitties can become stressed and scared from loud noises, so if possible, keep the volume lowered to help your cats relax. Make sure guests are aware of your cat's needs, and try to contain noise to certain rooms, so that your kitty can escape into a quieter space if needed. If you know you're in for a loud and chaotic one this year, help your cat cope by creating a chill space for them with plenty of cosy spots, yummy food, and toys to play with. We recommend a hearty portion of our Tuna with Salmon Mousse, to keep cats happy and ready to deal with whatever comes their way. You can also use natural diffusers to calm your kitty and prepare them for the seasonal chaos, such as Feliway.
Not every kitty can be part of the holidays if their home is not hosting, so don't make your cats an afterthought this Christmas.
Many of us are driving home for Christmas to be with our friends and families, and our furry pals can't always come. Your kitties are just as much a part of the family, so if they're staying at home, make sure they have everything they need for a wonderful time. Most cats can be left alone for up to 24-48 hours, and are good at taking care of themselves. However, it is essential that they have access to all their resources, and are in a safe space to be independent in. Ensure any dangerous items and rooms are shut away, and everything they need is in familiar and comfortable spots. Clean out that litter tray just before leaving, and keep fresh water topped up too. Make sure they have enough food down to last them, such as a big portion of our super yummy Chicken with Beef Chunks, or an automatic feeder set up with our Tilly & Ted Salmon Traybake to have them purring every mealtime. If you're going away for more time, have a friend or cat-sitter visit regularly to keep them fed, watered, and their litter cleaned, as well as giving them some much needed cuddles and playtime. Although cats are used to spending time alone, they also need their social time, especially if they are an only-cat, so make sure to come home soon and celebrate the season with them.
If you want to find the purr-fect meal to treat your kitties to this Christmas, check out our full range of cat food to find whisker-licking goodness for cats of every shape and size. From chicken-free recipes, to hearty classics, we guarantee your pussycats will be feeling paw-some all season long.
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