Attention Pet Owners!
Deck the Halls, But Do It Safely, Please...

Although some cats may remain relatively calm throughout the Christmas season, this may not be the case for some kittens and young cats during this exciting time of the year. Their natural kitty cat urge to explore is in high gear and the unusual activity of the house can also keep their imaginations active. The decorated tree you worked so hard to achieve must look like toy heaven to your cat. You will be hard-pressed to stop her from exploring the tree - so instead, here are some tips to make that tree cat-safe. You can do this several different ways:

- Make your Christmas tree as stable as possible. Chances are your cat will try to climb all over it sooner than later. Make sure that the base of the tree is heavier than the top, even after all the decorations are hanging from those branches!

- If you have a live tree, NEVER let your cat drink from the water in the tree stand. Even if you use pet safe preservatives, the tree itself releases toxic sap into the water, so you should cover any access to the water altogether and make it inaccessible to pets. You can also spray around the center of the tree skirt with citrus scented air freshener to help deter your cat from wandering too close.
We Recommend: Refresher Brand Liquid Eucalyptus Fragrance

- Avoid using tinsel, strings and hooks as part of your tree decorations. All are extremely dangerous to cats if swallowed. Fragile ornaments can be dangerous. Make sure to keep all breakable ornaments out of your cat's reach. Also understand that some of the older tinsel may contain lead. Any tinsel will cause the cat serious injury if ingested - contact your vet right away if you think your cat has chewed, eaten or swallowed any tinsel.

- Christmas foliage can be toxic! Bag the boughs of holly and live mistletoe. Sure, they add a nice touch to your holiday décor, but holly can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy if eaten by your pet. And should he sample mistletoe, he could suffer gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Poinsettias and ivy bring on bad digestive upset and pine needles when swallowed can pierce internal organs. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic.

- Fake or Real, it may get chewed! Spray the lower branches of the tree with anti-chew plant spray.
We Recommend: Grannick's Bitter Apple (Also, great for power cords!)

- Christmas can be very stressful for some cats. All the changes in the decoration, having guests over or simply changing the familiar routine can bring on anxiety in your cat. Make sure you don't neglect her. Spend at least 15-20 minutes a day with her, grooming and playing interactive games. If you're having guests, your cat has to maintain some privacy in the house. Be sure the litter pan and the feeding area are far enough away from the festivities, so as not to disrupt their normal habits.

- If temptation is just to much to resist! Keep a small bottle of canned air near the tree. If your cats still go after the tree, a light spritz of air on their back and a stern "NO!" will get the point across. The SSSCat is perfect for those of us who can't be by the tree all of the time.
We Recommend: SSSCat Spray Deterrent

If you suspect that your animal companion has eaten a potentially toxic substance, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's emergency hotline at (888) 426-4435 for round-the-clock telephone assistance. A fee may apply.