8 Ways To Enjoy The Holiday Season With Your Cat
If you’ve got a fur baby at home, naturally you’d want to include them in any of the family fun. The holiday season is certainly no exception, so with Christmas fast approaching, you may be wondering how you can enjoy the festivities with your kitty. Here are eight fun ways you can make the most of this holiday season with your cat.
1. Decorate your cat tree
All cat owners know the struggles of trying to keep a Christmas tree in one piece before the big day arrives. Felines are notorious for vandalizing, pulling down, and attacking Christmas trees, both real and fake. Because of this, you might opt not to put up a tree or choose a smaller one that you can keep out of harm’s way. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t fully decorate!
A great way to get into the festive spirit and involve your kitty in the process is to decorate the cat tree – if you have one. Just be sure to use cat-friendly Christmas decorations and ornaments that they can safely play with. This will give your home some festive cheer and provide your kitty some playtime stimulation too. If you don’t have a cat tree, decorate around their bed or their favorite sleeping spot with some hanging decorations to enjoy!
2. Buy them a present
When shopping for presents, don’t forget your cat! There are many things you can gift to your kitties, such as a new toy or even a comfy cat bed. Alternatively, Christmas is a great time to invest in something that will make life easier for both you and your feline, such as an automatic litter box.
Upgrading to a self-cleaning litter tray like the AutoEgg will significantly benefit your cat’s wellbeing and happiness. It will create a more hygienic and odor-free environment for your kitty to do their business. Moreover, an automatic litter box will give you the gift convenience and save you time in the long run, as you’ll no longer need to scoop!
3. Treat them to a special Christmas meal
Cats love turkey, so why not share your Christmas dinner with your feline friend. Ensure the meat is unseasoned and serve it plain. While it can be tempting to mix in a bit of gravy, many contain a large amount of salt, and some have onions in too, which are toxic to cats. Make sure it’s not too hot and that you properly cut the turkey into very small bits for your cat.
4. Dress them up for a cute festive selfie
All pet owners see their fur baby as the cutest thing in the world. So, why not show your kitty’s cuteness to your friends and family by dressing them up in a festive outfit for an Instagram-worthy photo shoot. If you want to go one step further, you can even share the photos with the ones you love on your seasonal Christmas card!
There are various Christmas themed costumes designed for cats on the market. These adorable outfits will allow you to dress your feline as a reindeer, elf, or even Santa! Just be mindful of how your kitty feels about this, and don’t force it if they’re putting up a fuss. While dressing up may be enjoyable to you, it can make some cats feel uncomfortable or anxious if they’re not used to costumes.
5. Bake pet-safe Christmas cookies
Unfortunately, Christmas cake, mince pies, and festive cookies are not suitable to give to your cat, with many containing toxic ingredients such as raisins and chocolate. If you love to bake festive treats, why not look up cat-safe cookie recipes! You’ll find a wealth of inspiration online, from catnip croutons to tiny tuna snowballs. As a general guideline, flour and eggs are typically okay, but it’s best to avoid adding sugar or milk as these can upset their digestion.
6. Make their bed extra warm and cozy
The festive season brings with it chilly nights – if you’re in the northern hemisphere at least. This makes it an ideal time to replace the blanket in your cat’s bed with a new one that’s extra soft and fluffy. Or, if your feline likes to curl up on the couch with you, snuggle up in front of the fire together with a warm fleece blanket.
7. Spend quality time together
The holiday season always has a way of becoming a busy, hectic time for everyone. Amidst all the planning, shopping, cooking, and partying, be sure to spend some quality time cuddling and playing with your cat. Take this time to appreciate and cherish your feline friend along with the rest of your loved ones.
8. Give to the kitties in need
Lastly, as this is the season of giving, why not give back to the cats less fortunate than your own? While you can make a cash donation to an animal organization, there are other ways you can make a difference too. You can donate cat food or litter to a local rescue center or volunteer your time to help them out for a day.
Every cat deserves a home and a family to love them. Help make this time of year feel special for a cat who may be staying at a shelter or rescue over the holidays.
Keeping your cat calm during the holiday season
Your home is likely to welcome more people than usual around this time of year, and your usually quiet house can quickly become loud and chaotic. As cats are creatures of comfort, the festivities can sometimes get to be a bit much for them.
When friends and family are around, give your cat a safe place to hide and ensure their litter tray is away from busy areas. This is especially important if young kids or other pets are present. If your cat seems anxious or scared, don’t hesitate to put them in a quiet room on
their own, with their bed, litter tray, and plenty of food and water.
Holidays are always better with pets, so don’t forget to include them in the festivities and spoil them a little. Whichever activities you choose to do with your kitty, remember to keep their comfort level in mind.
Watch for signs of anxiety or stress, and give ample quiet time and space.
That way, the whole family can enjoy this magical time of the year. Happy holidays!
