Christmas bushes will quickly start popping up in properties throughout the nation. However, in case you are a cat proprietor, this would possibly trigger a couple of points.
To maintain your cat calm round your festive decor, the cat insurance coverage and wellbeing consultants at Animal Buddies Pet Insurance coverage and have revealed 5 methods to assist cease your feline buddy from paying an excessive amount of undesirable consideration to your superbly adorned tree:
Picture credit score: Adam Barge’s cat JoJo at Animal Buddies
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Place your tree away from furnishings
To assist forestall your cat from pouncing in your Christmas tree, Catrin George, animal wellbeing specialist at Animal Buddies Pet Insurance coverage says: “Cats like to climb and pounce, and that is nothing to fret about. However, an adventurous cat and Christmas tree mixed could make for a horrible twosome. Actual pine bushes can pose a well being threat to your cat as they’re mildly toxic1, however even when you go for a pretend tree, any glass decorations can change into harmful if positioned throughout the cat’s attain.
“To assist forestall temptation, we propose putting your Christmas tree away from surrounding furnishings. This could make it tougher to your cat to pounce at or on it. You may additionally wish to think about switching to pet-safe decorations in order that in case your cat decides to aim a climb, nothing will get damaged and no pesky paws will get damage.”
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Give your cat a distraction
Cats can change into bored if there are not any toys round for them to play with, and that is once they would possibly flip their consideration to your tantalising Christmas tree for some leisure. Catrin says: “To stop your feline buddy from becoming bored, be sure you’re offering your cat with common playtime. Investing in some thrilling new toys will even assist cease your cat from taking part in together with your decorations.”
Picture credit score: Sean Battern’s cat, Papi, at Animal Buddies
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Select your decorations properly
You would possibly already know that chocolate could be deadly to our canine pals, however do you know it’s simply as toxic for cats, too? Chocolate accommodates one thing referred to as theobromine which is poisonous to our pets and their well being can decline shortly after ingestion, so chocolate on the tree needs to be averted.
Catrin provides: “Flashing lights, edible and even scented decorations will remember to get your cat’s consideration. This would possibly due to this fact rule out sure fairy mild settings, goodies, or cinnamon and dried oranges for instance. The identical goes for decorations that appear like your cat’s toys – we wouldn’t recommend something feathery or formed like a small animal.
“To hinder any notably curious kitties, or convicted tree climbers, you may additionally wish to think about placing your extra valuable decorations increased up your tree to keep away from any temptation for furry paws.”
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Watch out round lights
To make sure your cat is protected round lights and wires, Catrin says: “Christmas tree lights pose a hazard to cats as they’ll usually be seen as a tempting merchandise to chew on. We at all times advocate that you simply select low voltage LED fairy lights to cut back the chance and ensure lights and wires on the ground and across the plug socket are as tucked away as potential and out of your pet’s attain.”
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Make a protected area
Christmas could be a busy interval with plenty of completely different folks and new additions coming into the house making it fairly unsettling for some pets. To make sure they’ve a protected area, Catrin says: “Typically, cats will change their behaviour and begin doing issues we understand as ‘naughty’ if one thing is upsetting them. To assist hold them calm by means of the festive interval, make certain your cat has a cushty spot they’ll retreat to every time they begin to get overwhelmed. This is not going to solely make them really feel safer, it could additionally cease them from resorting to hiding in your Christmas tree.”
For extra info on the way to cat-proof your Christmas tree, go to: https://www.animalfriends.co.uk/cat/cat-advice/cat-maintenance-and-safety/how-to-stop-your-cat-attacking-your-christmas-tree/
