How To Make Your Cat Happy This Christmas

The holiday season is a wonderful time to share joy and gratitude with your feline friends. Read on for How to Make Your Cat Happy (at Christmas).

Grab our classic guide: For Happy Cats And A Happy Holiday Season: Think Like A Cat

Enjoy this new version plus extra ideas and tips to make sure your cats are comfortable, safe, and happy during this festive time of the year.

Bonus: homemade holiday treats recipe and more!

Keep your cats away from cooking areas. The smells of delicious food may tempt your cats to jump on the counter or stove, where they can get burned or injured by hot pots and pans.

They may also ingest something that is toxic or harmful to them, such as chocolate, onions, garlic, raisins, or alcohol.

To prevent accidents, keep your cats out of the kitchen while you are preparing and serving your holiday meals. The same goes for the salty nibbles served for guests on easily accessed coffee tables.

 

Be careful with scraps from your holiday meal.

Some human foods are safe for cats to eat, such as plain cooked turkey, chicken, or fish.

However, avoid giving your cats anything that is spicy, salty, fatty, or contains cooked bones, as these can cause digestive upset or choking. Also, do not give your cats dairy products, such as milk, cheese, or cream, as most cats are lactose intolerant and can develop diarrhea or vomiting.

Not all cats are human food lovers. My Otto is and I monitor him closely. He’s okay with a dab of cheese or butter but you want to treat your cats, give them their own special treats that are made for cats and approved by your veterinarian.

 

Know which holiday plants are toxic to cats. Not sure? See our full list. Pet Poison Awareness Some of the common plants that are used to decorate during the holidays are poisonous to cats, such as poinsettias, mistletoe, holly, lilies, and amaryllis.

If your cats ingest any part of these plants, they can experience symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, or even death.

To protect your cats, keep these plants out of their reach or avoid having them in your home altogether. You can opt for artificial plants or cat-safe plants, such as catnip, cat grass, or orchids.

 

 

Avoid using ribbons, tinsel, and other string-like materials.

Cats love to play with shiny or sparkly things, but these can be very dangerous if they swallow them. Ribbons, tinsel, and other string-like materials can cause a serious intestinal obstruction that requires surgery.

They can also get tangled around your cat’s neck, mouth, or limbs, causing injury or strangulation.

To prevent these hazards, do not use these items to decorate your tree, gifts, or home. Instead, use paper bows, thick cloth ribbons, or garland made from beads or felt.

You can also make your own cat-friendly ornaments, such as felt mice, pom-poms, or cardboard stars.

 

Some cats like our Odin and Otto are sociable and love company but please respect those who don’t.

 

 

Provide your cats a safe and cozy retreat.

The holiday season can be stressful for some cats, especially if there are a lot of visitors, noise, or changes in their routine.

To help your cats cope, make sure they have a quiet and comfortable place where they can escape and relax.

This can be a spare room, a closet, a cat tree, or a cardboard box. Provide them with their favorite bed, toys, water, and litter box.

You can also use calming products, such as Feliway diffusers, sprays, or collars, to reduce their anxiety.

Let your cats decide when they want to join the festivities or stay in their retreat. Do not force them to interact with anyone or anything that makes them uncomfortable. Even sociable cats like Otto like to hide. We also keep extra cardboard boxes around because cats love them.

 

 

Hire a reliable and cat-savvy pet sitter. They are booked well in advance so please plan accordingly.

If you are planning to travel during the holidays, you may need to leave your cats at home with a pet sitter. Choose someone who is trustworthy, experienced, and knowledgeable about cats. Ask for references and check them.

Meet with the pet sitter before you leave and show them where everything is, such as the food, water, litter box, toys, and emergency contacts.

Leave detailed instructions about your cats’ needs, preferences, and personalities. You can also ask the pet sitter to send you updates and photos of your cats while you are away.

ADOPT DON’T SHOP

The holiday season is too busy for most people to consider adoption but it’s a great time to visit a shelter in advance.

We visited a shelter 4 times before bringing Otto home. Please never gift a pet as a surprise. Pets are family members and a lifetime responsibility.

 

 

Make your own catnip toys or treats for your cats.

You can use socks, felt, or fabric scraps to make simple toys stuffed with catnip. You can also bake some catnip cookies or muffins using catnip, flour, eggs, and water (recipe below). Your cats will love these homemade gifts and enjoy the stimulating effects of catnip.

This isn’t it, but Odin as a kitten being naughty is hard to resist reposting.

Homemade Holiday Cat Treats

Preheat oven to 350°F

Mix well in a bowl:

1 (4-oz.) can tuna in oil, well-drained and flaked, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 large egg and 1 tablespoon dried organic catnip.

Form into tiny balls (@ 6 dozen)and place on a greased cookie sheet. Flatten the balls with a spoon if you like.

Bake about 15 minutes or golden and crisp. Allow to cool. Store in an airtight container. Keep refrigerated or freeze.

 

Dress up your cats in festive outfits or accessories. If your cats are comfortable with wearing clothes or hats, you can find some cute and cozy outfits or accessories for them to wear during the holidays.

• You can choose from Santa hats, reindeer antlers, elf costumes, or holiday sweaters. Your cats will look adorable and festive, and you can take some great photos of them.
• I confess to buying an entire wardrobe of stylish bow ties for Otto. He loves them but this year no one was interested in kitty Santa hats. A lacey confection for a Baroque portrait is in the works but it’s a surprise.

• Create a cat-themed Christmas tree or wreath.
• You can decorate your Christmas tree or wreath with cat ornaments, toys, or photos. You can also use cat-shaped cookie cutters to make some edible ornaments out of dough or peanut butter.
• Try making some paw print ornaments using salt dough or clay. Your cats will appreciate the cat-friendly decorations and may even join in the fun. Every year I add a new cat themed ornament or two.

 

• Play some Christmas music or movies for your cats.
• Cats can enjoy listening to music or watching movies (not too loudly), especially if they are soothing. You can play some Christmas music or movies for your cats to keep them entertained and relaxed.
• Choose from classical, jazz, or instrumental music, or movies featuring cats or animals. Your cats will enjoy the sounds and sights of the holidays and may even cuddle with you if treats are nearby.

If you really want your cat to be happy, it goes beyond the tips in this post. May I suggest the best gift of all? Be Kind.

We hope these tips will help you and your cats have a purr-fect holiday season.

Remember to cherish every moment with your feline companions and show them how much you love them. Do you have other suggestions?

How to Make Your Cat Happy

Look for our annual Christmas post later this week🎄🐈‍⬛🎉

Love and purrs,

Layla, Odin, Otto and Angel Merlin