Planning a safe holiday for your cat

When it comes to the holidays, there are so many things to be careful about – not gaining 5 kg on cookies, not blowing all the money on gifts and, of course, making sure that your cats are healthy, happy and safe. Here are some helpful tips from your friends at Hills Pet Nutrition on how you can make this happen.

• Provide privacy. Guests can get in the way of your pet, so keep the holiday hype away from his favorite spot so he can relax.
• Keep poisonous and dangerous plants away. For example, mistletoe and poinsettia are poisonous to animals, and swallowed pine needles can cause blockages in the digestive tract. Try to make sure that your cat does not have access to these plants. So you can save yourself from a trip to the veterinarian.
• Choose safe jewelry. There are many different decor items that can create problems for your cat. For example, ribbons and tinsel are often the reason for calling emergency veterinary care. The wires from the lights can cause serious burns or electric shock if your pet starts playing with or chewing on them. You can prevent this by keeping all decorations out of your cat’s reach or in an area that she doesn’t have access to.
• Make your holiday trips safe and prepare ahead of time. Take special precautions when traveling with your cat, no matter what you are traveling on. A few days before departure, consult with your veterinarian about how to properly prepare for the trip.
• What can’t a cat eat? Table food is not for pets. Many holiday foods are very fatty and salty and can upset your pet’s stomach. Not to mention the extra calories! Chicken bones should not be given to a pet: they can easily get stuck in the digestive tract, and other foods, such as grapes or onions, are poisonous to animals. In short, food for people is only for people. Stay disciplined and feed your cat only the right food: Science Plan, or Prescription Diet for optimal health.
• Since chocolate can cause sickness and even death in pets, it should be avoided entirely. Chocolate contains theobromine, a powerful cardiovascular and central nervous system stimulant that is very slowly eliminated from the body.
• If your pet has occasional upset stomachs, try feeding them Science Plan Sensitive Stomach & Skin adult cat food. For best results, gradually switch from the old food to the new food over a period of 7 days to avoid indigestion or rejection.