Holidays With Fluffy

The holidays are officially in full swing! At this time of year, we see lots of adorable seasonal photos of kitties being extra cute … and often, extra frisky. Here, a local Norwalk, CA vet discusses holiday cat care.

Don’t forget to get something for your kitty’s stocking! Catnip mice are a classic holiday gift, and will always be popular with our feline pals. You can also try something more modern, like catnip bubbles, robotic mice, or mechanical fish that ‘swim.’ Want to go all out? Get Fluffy a comfy new bed, a window seat, or some cat furniture.

Keep Fluffy’s safety in mind as you are decorating. Seasonal plants, tinsel, ornaments, ornament hooks, electric lights, ribbons, and anything small or sharp can all be hazardous. Candles, fireplaces, and potpourri burners are dangerous as well. Place these things out of paws’ reach!

In the wild, trees provide kitties with lookout points, nail care stations, safety, and shelter. In your living room, they’re basically just fun for Fluffy. Pick a tree with a sturdy base, and secure the top to the wall or ceiling with fishing line. Decorate the bottom part of the tree sparsely, using only sturdy ornaments that won’t break. You may also want to tire your cat out with fun play sessions, so she’s too tired to attack the tree.

If Fluffy is bold and outgoing, she may not bat an eye when you have company. Your kitty may even hop into your guests’ laps for cuddles and attention! More timid cats, however, will bolt for cover as soon as the doorbell rings. If you have a shy pet, put your scaredy-cat in a quiet back room with food, toys, treats, a litterbox, and comfy bedding when you have visitors.

Canned tuna or chicken in water makes a great treat for your kitty. You can also offer Fluffy some cooked, plain meat, fish, or chicken, without the skin, bones, or fat. Sodium free broth, cat milk, and shredded deli meat are also fine.

Spend some quality time with Fluffy over the holidays, and make sure she doesn’t feel neglected. There’s really no better way to enjoy a quiet holiday night than by settling in with a good seasonal book or movie, a hot beverage, and a purring cat.

Happy Holidays! Please contact us, your Norwalk, CA vet clinic, anytime.