Safety Tips to Keep Your Holidays Feline-Friendly
Ahh … the smell of fresh pine needles, the twinkle of lights, and the aroma of fresh-baked cookies. As you transform your home into a festive wonderland filled with new decorations, winter plants, and sweet treats, Cat Care of Vinings is here with a few reminders for making the holidays safer for the feline members of your household.
Cats and Holiday Stress
It’s easy to lose track of time when the holiday rush hits, but when your cat’s routine changes, she can experience stress and anxiety. To the best of your ability, keep your cat on her regular schedule, and make sure she has plenty of indoor enrichment to fill her time while you’re filling stockings.
Timber!
Make sure your Christmas tree is securely anchored. A big tree that topples onto a small kitty could cause a serious injury. Also, pets should never drink tree water; it could contain fertilizer residue or bacteria that could upset your kitty’s tummy.
Poisonous Plants
Smooching under artificial mistletoe is perfectly acceptable, so opt for silk or plastic versions of your favorite holiday foliage to protect your curious cat. The following common seasonal plants are not-so-festive for our pets to ingest:
- Mistletoe
- Holly
- Poinsettias
- Pine needles
- Christmas rose
- Amaryllis
- Lily
- Chrysanthemums
Decorate Safely
Lit candles should be kept up high and inaccessible to pets, or simply use “flameless” candles for a festive glow. When choosing tree decorations, take a pass on the tinsel, and hang breakable ornaments out of paw’s reach. And while it’s hard to avoid the presence of wires and extension cords, do your best to keep them covered or hidden from your pets.
Wrap with Care
Cats are notorious ribbon-chewers, and when ingested, ribbons and strings can cause intestinal blockages that require emergency surgery.
Dietary Don’ts
While you’re indulging in all your holiday favorites, make sure that no one is slipping your cat samples under the table. Many of our favorite holiday foods can pose serious problems for our cats, including the following:
- Raw dough
- Alcohol
- Foods containing the artificial sweetener xylitol
- Fatty or spicy foods
- Bones
- Nuts, grapes, and raisins
- Nutmeg
- Dairy products
- Onions and garlic
Feline-Friendly Family Gatherings
Unless you have a cat who is quite the social butterfly, she might enjoy your holiday parties more if she had a quiet room to call her own, complete with a place to snooze, food, water, and a litter box.
At Cat Care of Vinings, we’re proud to focus on the unique needs of cats year round. Please contact us at (404) 792-0700, or request an appointment conveniently from any device.
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CCV is a warm, quiet environment that helps my nervous cat feel more comfortable… The vet techs and office staff are skilled, helpful and friendly. A+
I am extremely fortunate to have taken her to Cat Care of Vinings… They take time to listen…answer questions, offer guidance…compassion, and give frequent and welcome updates.
Knowledgeable, caring vets and a very supportive team. Highly recommended based on my personal experiences…
The staff are always welcoming and hospitable. Doctors will go out of their way to make sure your cat is taken care of and comfortable. They always return your calls and even call to check up on your cat after an appointment.
I was shocked at how little we knew even after more than a decade of cat ownership and regular vet visits. I really can't say enough about how thrilled we are with Dr. Palmer and Cat Care of Vinings. We just feel so fortunate to have you in our lives and are most grateful. Thank you all for all that you do! :-)
At Cat Care of Vinings, every person…demonstrated care. Everything was well explained… I received phone calls updating me on his progress and asking how he was after I took him home. They are compassionate and knowledgeable about cats and that is what really matters.
Where do I begin? There are so many positives about Cat Care of Vinings…this entire practice is on a whole other level… The environment is relaxing and the staff are comforting and supportive.
The quality of treatment and unbelievable care with which my kitten was treated are priceless to me especially as kitten moves into her later years. I wouldn’t take her anywhere else.
These people love your pet almost as much as you do… This seems less like a business and more like a labor of love. [They]…always keep you in the loop of what is happening…and put both you and your pet at ease…providing first rate care for you cat.
…more information than the previous…places… Also,…we did not feel like they were pressuring us into paying for expensive procedures that may or may not work… [They] actually showed care and concern for our kitty…
The veterinarians and staff here are very professional, caring and thorough (they check for things other vet clinics don’t). They genuinely love their clients (i.e. cats)…
Dr. Michael Friedlander is experienced, capable, kind, and caring with my cat and with me. Her staff is also excellent. Besides the excellent care for my cat, Michael also educated me on what I need to do to take care of my cat, such as vaccinations and heart worm prevention. This is a top notch feline veterinary hospital with a top notch staff!
I have had cats my whole life and have used many veterinarians over the years. Cat Care of Vinings provides the best care I have ever received for my 'kids' - cats
…We must say that Dr. Jennifer Palmer…is the BEST. Her medical experience, bedside manner, candor, and quest for knowledge…is immeasurable. She goes beyond the call of duty to ‘reach-out’ for answers and health options you may not be aware of.
The Vets have taken time to know and understand both my kitties. All clinic staff are caring, knowledgeable, and generally first rate.
Cat Care is exactly what it says. The whole office is geared toward all felines… There are cat trees, and cat friendly furniture throughout. But is what is more important is the feline expertise…
This veterinary clinic changed my cat's entire life…[he had] severe dental problems… I was reluctant to…do the procedures… I cannot stress how happy I am… Everyone treats the cats with love and care, and they treat the people with respect and offer great advice.