Cats and holidays sometimes mix about as well as oil and water. Aside from issues of cat safety, there's also potential for cats to either be ignored by busy families or become overstimulated by the festivities. In either case, kitties can become restless and anxious, which may result in undesirable behavior. But it doesn't have to be this way. Keep reading for some ideas on how you can make holidays with cats relaxed and fun for you and your feline companion.
Prepare a Safe Space
Your kitty needs to be able to retreat somewhere that she can chill out when the hubbub becomes too much for her. This is especially true if you'll be throwing parties or hosting overnight guests with whom she's not familiar. Even if you won't be providing hospitality in your home during the holidays, cats get anxious about changes to their environment. While a tree suddenly appearing in the living room might inspire more curiosity than anything else, if you have to rearrange the furniture to accommodate the tree, your cat might become stressed by such a change.
Designate a room or a quiet part of the house to serve as your cat's haven during the holidays, preferably in or adjacent to the location of her litter box. Make it comfortable and inviting for her by providing her bed and her favorite toys, and move her food and water dishes there, too, but keep them away from her litter box. It's also a good idea to normalize things for your cat by keeping up her normal eating and exercise routines as much as possible, suggests the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Conseils savoureux
Establish House Rules
If you do have guests, be sure they understand that your kitty's safe space is off-limits. By all means, allow guests to interact with your cat, if she's up to it, but don't force her to leave her retreat to be social. If children will be visiting who are unfamiliar to your cat, be sure to lay some ground rules for how they should treat her. If you start to see her get anxious around guests take her to her safe place. A more social cat might be willing to explore during your holiday events so unattended plates of food could become a quick snack for her. Make sure guests do not feed her human food or leave their plates unattended to avoid any unwanted holiday weight gain.
Include Your Kitty in the Fun
Here are a few ideas for including your favorite furry pal in your holiday traditions:
- Get her a new toy. A holiday-themed cat toy laced with catnip will not only help keep your kitty distracted and out of trouble while you trim the tree or wrap gifts, it will also be entertaining to watch her have fun batting it around.
- Take her shopping. Skip the Black Friday frenzy and instead fix yourself a mug of hot chocolate, put up your slippered feet and invite your kitty to keep your lap warm while you do your holiday shopping online.
- Take her to see Santa. Many pet stores and rescue shelters, and even some malls offer pictures with Santa for your pets. If your cat enjoys getting out and meeting new people, this could create some lasting holiday memories.
- Say cheese! Get your kitty in on the family Christmas card. If she's not cooperative about posing, simply stage the picture so that she's somewhere in the frame. You can help make her more accommodating by wrapping an empty box with holiday gift wrap and placing it where she can easily climb into it. If she tolerates costumes well, you could also dress her up and snap some cat selfies to share on your social networks.
- Include her in the family gift exchange. She may end up liking the wrapping paper or box more than the gift you give her, but it will still be fun watching her play.
How ever you choose to celebrate holidays with cats, the important thing is that your kitty doesn't feel neglected or ignored. Just remember to give her space for when her environment gets too crazy. By following these guidelines, you'll help to make cats and holidays a compatible match.
Produits Similaires
Sterilised Cat - Croquettes pour Chat Adulte Stérilisé
Hill’s Science Plan Adult Sterilised - Croquettes pour Chat Adulte Stérilisé au Canard est un aliment spécialement formulé avec la technologie ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit. Il s’agit d’un aliment équilibré, formulé pour répondre aux besoins du chat stérilisé, afin de l’aider à maintenir son poids de forme et à rester en bonne santé.
Hypoallergenic - Croquettes pour Chat Adulte (1-6) - à l'Oeuf et aux Protéines d'Insectes
Hill's Science Plan Hypoallergenic - Croquettes pour Chat Adulte à l'Oeuf et aux Protéines d'Insectes est un aliment complet pour les chats adultes âgés de 1 à 6 ans. Formulé pour les chats à la peau et l'estomac délicats, avec un nombre limité de sources de protéines nouvelles de haute qualité et sans céréales.
Perfect Digestion - Croquettes pour Chaton
Hill’s Science Plan - Perfect Digestion - Croquettes pour Chaton au Poulet et Riz Complet nourrit le microbiome unique de votre chaton et l’aide à atteindre son plein potentiel.
Perfect Digestion - Croquettes pour Chat Adulte
Hill’s Science Plan Perfect Digestion - Croquettes pour Chat au Poulet et Riz Complet nourrit le microbiome unique de votre chat et l’aide à atteindre son plein potentiel.
Articles Similaires
Brushing & Food: Keys to Maintaining Your Cat's Oral Health
Did you know that brushing your cat
Comment accueillir un chaton
Découvrez comment accueillir un chaton et lui donner le meilleur départ possible dans la vie. Pour plus de conseils sur les soins du chaton et du chat, visitez le site Hill’s Pet.
Quand commencer à donner une alimentation solide aux chatons ?
Découvrez le meilleur moment pour faire passer les chatons à une alimentation solide pour une croissance et un développement en pleine santé. Consultez Hill’s Pet pour découvrir d’autres conseils d’experts sur les chatons.
Boules de poils chez le chat: causes et traitements
Découvrez les causes des boules de poils chez le chat ainsi que les traitements efficaces pour garder votre chat en bonne santé. Pour plus de conseils sur la santé du chat, consultez le site Hill’s Pet FR.
Mettez votre chat au régime sans qu'il le sache
Notre formule hypocalorique vous aide à contrôler le poids de votre chat. Riche en protéines de haute qualité pour développer une masse musculaire maigre, elle est élaborée avec des ingrédients ciblés pour un repas savoureux et nutritif. Des antioxydants cliniquement prouvés, comme les vitamines C et E, contribuent au bon fonctionnement du système immunitaire.
Mettez votre chat au régime sans qu'il le sache
Notre formule hypocalorique vous aide à contrôler le poids de votre chat. Riche en protéines de haute qualité pour développer une masse musculaire maigre, elle est élaborée avec des ingrédients ciblés pour un repas savoureux et nutritif. Des antioxydants cliniquement prouvés, comme les vitamines C et E, contribuent au bon fonctionnement du système immunitaire.