Kitties and Xmans worries...for some humits that is!

This is not a Xmas tree humit...really now!

Here we go again...you know...the jolly and festive time of the year is almost upon us and my humit of course has just reminded me of my duties (like I needed reminding really...) that I need to give some Xmas advice for the safety of all kitties to their humit carers because you know sometimes humits can get really excited during this time with trees, lots and lots of food and drink, outside trees that are brought inside to be decorated with lots of shiny things, etc, etc while at the same time they seem to forget that us, kitties, don't get really excited, rather quite the opposite, we tend to get stressed and very anxious. Although some kitties might remain calm throughout this festive season in reality and for the most part kittens and young or even senior cats, react because this is indeed a very exciting time. You see, OK, OK at least for some kitties (as Choo Choo and Ripley definitely not included in this general category of curious and explorative cats) , their natural urge to explore (he, he right!) is in high gear this time of the year and all the unusual activity of the house can affect them too!

I mean just think about if for a minute, humits, as any decorated tree looks like toy heaven (and saying it once again) to some cats. So as humits can't really guard that decorated tree all the time, which tree any other time of the year would normally be outside and all of the sudden like magic it has been brought indoors by you who are some times very very peculiar humits and who you, humits, therefore can't prevent your kitties from exploring that tree - so instead, you should try some of my Xmas tips to make that tree cat-safe.

First of all humits need to make sure that the Christmas tree is as stable as possible as there are good chances that the kitty of the house will try to climb all over it sooner than later. So you humits need to 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 kitty drink from the water in the tree stand. Most people use some form of special chemicals to help preserve the tree and these can be deadly for us, kitties! Even the tree itself releases toxic sap into the water, so the humits need to cover the water altogether and make it inaccessible to everybody else in the house, us, kitties, of course included. Although I don't purrsonally think that is such a good idea, the humit might also want to try spraying around the center of the tree skirt with lemon scented air freshener to deter any kitties from wandering too close (yak!).

If you can you, humits, try to avoid using tinsel, strings and hooks as part of the tree's decorations. All of which are extremely dangerous to us, kitties if swallowed. Fragile ornaments can be dangerous. Glass shreds on the carpet are a safety hazard to humits as well as us, kitties - so keep all breakable ornaments out of our reach.

Also humits don't forget that Christmas foliage can be toxic too! Holly, mistletoe, poinsettias, ivy and Christmas roses, as well as the Christmas tree itself are all harmful to all animals in the house (humits included of course). Holly and mistletoe can be even fatal. Poinsettias and ivy bring on bad digestive upset and pine needles when swallowed can pierce internal organs. So humits try not to use ornamental plants or keep them well out of reach and always remember to sweep up any dead needles lying about and always be on the look out.

Another thing that humits should be extra careful about is when burning candles which although are festive at the same time they can be really dangerous...not just for us but for everybody else that is! If you humits insist in burning candles, do so safely. Don't forget that sometimes a curious swish of a tail, can cause a burning candle to dump over and disaster can result. Inquisitive kitties can burn their nose, ears paws or tail getting to close to a flame. Instead of spending the Holidays with your family, then you might end up spending it with your kitty at the your vet's!

Christmas can be very stressful for some kitties. All the changes in the decoration, having guests over or simply changing the familiar routine can bring on anxiety in your kitty. So you need to 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 kitty has to maintain some privacy in the house. Be sure that all the litter trays and and the feeding areas are far enough away from the festivities, so as not to disrupt your kitty's normal habits.

All right I really shouldn't say this, I mean who am I to complain about too much food being available but on the other hand and it is unfortunately the truth that rich Christmas food is not really good for us, kitties (darn it!)! So ideally humits need to make sure that their kitties keep to their regular diet and don't feast on Christmas delicacies. Most of the foods you humits would eat this time of the year (and you would definitely eat a lot!) are really bad for us, kitties, and may cause upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea. You should also tell your guests this too so they don't try to feed your animals without your permission.

Finally and very very importantly ....Never, never give a kitten or a puppy as a Christmas present! Let all your friends and family know that this is not an acceptable present under any circumstance. Far too many cute kittens and puppies who begin their lives as Christmas presents, they end up shortly afterwards in the local shelter or on the streets, abandoned. Getting a cat or a dog is a life-long commitment that should receive the special consideration it needs.

So all you kitties and your humit carers have a great festive season....wherever you are!