Feline friendly advice for the festive season
This Chinese New Year, if you want your cat to be happy, think like a cat. While we’re having a jolly good time, cats have no concept of what a holiday is. For most cats the holidays are really stressful. All they know is their owners are home less and acting differently. They spend more time away from home, visiting and socialising. There may be travel, house guests or more entertaining at home. Homes may have new decorations, new plants, foods and smells. What we call friends, neighbours or cat sitters, cats may consider interlopers in their home, which is a cat’s territory and cats are very territorial. A bored or stressed cat can also engage in destructive behaviour or worse.
1. Chinese New Year decorations
No cat paw can resist shiny dangling ornaments or shiny wrapped candies in a candy dish. Chinese New Year decorations can prove irresistible to inquisitive pets. Ribbons and colourful wrapping paper exert a magical attraction on playful young kittens! Make sure you clear up any ribbons, paper or wrapping as soon as possible, as your cat could easily be strangled by ribbons or swallow pieces of tape or paper.
2. Dressing up your cat
There's no arguing that cats look adorable when they are dressed up in cute little outfits. Traditional Chinese costumes or lion dance outfits all look irresistibly cute on cats. Unfortunately, your cat may not see things the same way. Many cats despise wearing clothing or accessories, especially on their heads. Before you start dressing up your cat this Chinese New Year, make sure you are not creating unnecessary stress. The holiday season can be hectic enough for your cat. Why make things worse by torturing her with that traditional emperor hat?
3. Tangerine Tree/Kumquat Tree/Pussy Willows
Cats are real climbing and balancing experts. Unlike real scratching and climbing trees, festive trees/plants can offer real dangers for a curious cat. The branches of a pussy willow can be particularly hazardous, cutting the paws or even the mouth. If your cat inadvertently swallows a silvery-white furry catkin, there is even the risk of life-threatening internal injuries. Colourful ornaments with different textures and ribbons are just as dangerous, as they may cause intestinal obstruction leading to death if ingested. Your cat may even cause damage by chewing leaves, knocking over pots or vases, or even using the soil as a litter box! Unfortunately, nibbling plants and flowers could send your cat to the emergency vet as they are biologically incapable of being a vegetarian. Its digestive system simply isn't equipped to process the fibrous proteins of plants, explains why your house cat throws up after eating grass.
4. Electrical cords
To your cat, an extension cord might look like just another string to play with. String lights may be even more tempting since they sparkle. If your cat tries to play with or chew on electrical cords, she could end up getting burned or electrocuted. Hang lights out of reach of your cat and secure loose cords so they don't dangle or slide on the floor.
5. Noises
The holiday season is festive and filled with music and chatter. Many people have mahjong parties or small get-togethers with friends and family. All this may seem like fun to you, but what does your cat think? Cats are highly sensitive to noise. Many are shy or nervous around strangers. The general chaos of the holiday season can really stress out your cat. Make sure you provide a safe, comfortable place for your cat to hide with litter box, food, water and a favourite blanket/scratching toy. If you want to take it to the next level, you could even invest in a special diffuser to help relax your cat using synthetic pheromones that are known to have a calming, stress-relieving effect. Ask guests not to leave doors open so your cat won't get out. Make sure your guests know the room is off-limits.
6. Alcohol
Owing to their built and inability to process the intoxicating properties, it is toxic for cats to consume any form of alcohol. Cats get intoxicated far more easily than you might think. Cats can even get alcohol toxicity by ingesting fermented foods if they eat enough of them. Alcohol intoxication commonly causes excessive urination, disorientation and poor breathing. In serious cases, seizures and brain damage may occur. Don’t forget that cats might be attracted to drinks that have milk or cream-based ingredients.
7. Festive food
If a cat has a well balanced cat food for 365 days a year, festive foods can sometimes be a shock to the system. Your cat may develop vomiting or diarrhoea after consuming rich, fatty foods. High sodium foods can cause health problems as well. Dairy products may cause diarrhoea (about half of cats are lactose intolerant). Even if you mean well by filling your cat’s bowl with some tasty treats from your own reunion dinner, keep in mind that our food is generally too greasy, rich and salty for cats. These moments of “kindness” can lead to digestive problems, increased stress on the pancreas and liver, and eventual obesity. Do not leave any leftover poultry bones in your cat’s reach, as these thin bones can easily splinter and cause serious internal injuries.
8. Chocolate
Whilst we are all for some festive indulgence, cat owners should not forget about their felines around such tasty treats. Your cat must never get its paws on chocolate, as it contains theobromine that is highly toxic to cats and can lead to life-threatening issues such as cramping, vomiting, diarrhoea and high blood pressure. Depending on how much chocolate has been consumed, it can even lead to death. The amount of theobromine in chocolate depends on the type of chocolate consumed. The darker the chocolate, the more theobromine present.
If you are well-prepared, there is no need to fear Chinese New Year as a cat owner! Despite the increased risk of danger, the festive season can still be a pleasant experience for you and your cat. By following the above safety instructions and taking time out of baking and decorating to give your cat a little attention and care, you will both be able to enjoy this time of year carefree :)