Happy Holidays! Are you putting up a tree this year? If you have a cat, and the answer is yes, you may need to take some precautions to protect that pretty centerpiece. Fluffy has been known to wreak havoc on holiday trees! A Cornelius, NC vet offers some tips on this below.
Fluffy won’t be able to resist batting at shiny, dangling objects that are within paw’s reach. Your kitty will probably consider anything on the lower branches fair game! Therefore, you want to put only a few things in that danger zone. Hang the majority of your decorations, including most of the lights, tinsel, and ribbons, and anything small or sharp, on the top two thirds of the tree.
Does your feline buddy have a cat tower? Make it just as tempting as your tree! Sprinkle catnip around it, and put some fun new toys on it. You may also want to rotate it, so it seems new again.
If you can, put the tree in a corner, so your furry friend can only approach it from one side. Try not to put it too close to things Fluffy can use to gain access to the tree, such as a desk or sofa.
Another thing you can do is block off the tree with a puppy gate. This may not deter a super-determined furball, but it may be enough to keep a fairly lazy cat away.
Sometimes you just have to beat Fluffy at her own game. Take time to play with her every day. Hopefully, your frisky pet will wear herself out chasing after that little red dot or wand toy, and will be too tired to bother with the tree.
You may want to brace the tree a bit. Use clear fishing line to attach the treetop to the wall or ceiling for extra support.
Kitty tree shenanigans can be amusing and frustrating, but they can also be dangerous. It isn’t safe for Fluffy to play with things like tinsel, ribbons, lights, garlands, or small or sharp objects. You may need to keep her out of the room the tree is in, especially when you’re out.
All of us here at Hambright Animal Hospital, your Cornelius, NC pet clinic, want to wish you a wonderful holiday season. Contact us anytime!
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