Cats and Christmas – How to protect the tree from the house tiger

Tips for pet owners
Cats and Christmas – How to protect the tree from house tiger attacks

Christmas with cats – it can be fun, but in the worst case it can also be dangerous. Here are a few tips to ensure that people and animals stay relaxed. The Christmas tree is a challenge.

Anyone on X, the former Twitter, searches for “cat” and “Christmas” searches find funny photos and videos. Most popular: The cat takes the tree apart or at least keeps an eye on it. Some people come up with the idea of ​​putting the Christmas tree in a cage for safety reasons. Not the cat.

But as fun as it is and as exciting for the curious animals – Christmas poses dangers for cats. You don’t have to give up glittering decorations and atmospheric plants right away, but you should at least think about what could happen.

The Christmas tree – climb, chase balls and catch tinsel

A Christmas tree is tempting for a cat and invites you to climb and sharpen your claws. The balls glitter invitingly according to the motto “Catch me!”

But if they break, animals and people can be injured by the sharp shards. If the cat climbs the tree, it can get stuck and tip the tree over.

The risks cannot be completely avoided if you want to decorate your apartment festively. However, if you decorate a little more sparingly and place the tree so that it doesn’t fall over in the event of a cat attack, a lot has been gained.

It is also advisable to offer the cat some other variety so that the Christmas tree is not at the top of their to-do list. This can be a scratching post or a cuddly cave.

Open fire and burning candles

Pet owners should avoid using real, i.e. burning, candles on the tree. If the cat’s fur catches fire, it becomes very dangerous for everyone involved. The animal can be seriously injured and will panic if it comes into contact with fire.

What you don’t immediately think of when thinking about “cats and Christmas” is probably the dangers of tinsel and artificial snow. If the animals swallow tinsel, in the worst case scenario you have to go to the vet’s office on the holidays because lumps have become knotted in the animal’s stomach.

Artificial snow can be toxic or at least unhealthy. It should therefore be placed so that cats cannot lick it. The water in which the Christmas tree stands should also be inaccessible to animals. Resins can dissolve in it, which is why it is no longer suitable as drinking water.

Poinsettias – not the only poisonous plants for cats

Some plants that are very popular at Christmas or around New Year contain poisons and should be placed so that they are out of reach of the cat. These include the poinsettia, the Christmas rose, the amaryllis, mistletoe, holly branches and lucky clover. Softwoods also contain toxic substances. If the cat has nibbled on it and shows signs of poisoning such as pain, drowsiness, vomiting or diarrhea, a visit to the vet is also advisable.

And last but not least: Christmas can be stressful not only for people, but also for pets. Because everyday life and surroundings change drastically. Suddenly the apartment is full of people. The cat should have a place where it can retreat undisturbed and enjoy Christmas in a relaxed manner.

Sources: “Heart for animals“, “Katzen-Leben.de“

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