How to Celebrate Christmas With Your Cat

Christmas is a favourite time of year for many people, but as with all big events, plenty of planning and preparation goes into the big day. For those with cats, however, it can be hard to know how to include your furry friend in the celebrations.

Celebrating Christmas with a cat needn't be a difficult task, but it's important to make sure that your pet is happy, safe, and comfortable during the festive season. 

Read on for my top tips and tricks around how to celebrate Christmas with your cat!

Not quite sure where to start? Luckily, there are plenty of easy ways to include your cat in the festive cheer. I've outlined some of my favourites in the list below.

1. Cat Advent Calendars

Get your cat involved with the festivities right from the start with a feline-friendly advent calendar! Cat advent calendars offer a great opportunity to bring your cat into the festive season in a way that they're sure to love. There are plenty of different advent calendars for cats to choose from, so do some research and make sure yours is ready for December 1st! 

If you're stuck for a choice, my cats love the Lily's Kitchen cat advent calendar (not an ad, just a recommendation from Winnie and Winston!)

2. Beware Poisonous Plants

Decorating your home with seasonal greenery might look beautiful and Christmassy, but did you know that some of the most common festive plants are actually harmful to pets?

Watch out for:

• Christmas trees: if you're a fan of real trees, make sure to choose spruce or a fir rather than a pine tree, as pines may cause liver damage in cats
• Poinsettias: the sap is mildly toxic to both cats and dogs and could give your cat diarrhoea or an upset stomach if licked or eaten 
• Mistletoe: with mistletoe, artificial is best if you have a cat in the household as mistletoe berries and leaves are hazardous for cats

3. Special Christmas Dinner

Though it can be tempting to treat your cat to a miniature portion of your turkey dinner, there are much better Christmas day treats available. My cats love Dreamies for an occasional treat, and they also go crazy for the turkey and ham feast from Lily's Kitchen (again, not an ad, just my cats apparently have expensive taste).

If your cat has a sensitive stomach or doesn't cope well with changes to their diet, it's best to simply stick to their usual meals. This doesn't mean that they have to miss out on all the fun, though. You could always give them a fun new toy, or just make it up to them with plenty of cuddles!

4. Festive Home Hazards

With plenty of exciting new things popping up in the home at Christmas time, it's important to keep your cat safe. We all know cats love to climb Christmas trees, but there are plenty of other potential hazards to consider, including:

• If you have a real tree, make sure to regularly vacuum any fallen needles to avoid your cat ingesting them
• Keep chocolates, mince pies, and other festive treats out of reach of curious paws
• Be aware that your cat may try to play with (or eat) decorations such as fairy lights, tinsel, or ribbon
• Where possible, don't leave your cat alone with the Christmas tree in case they climb it, drink the water from the pot (in the case of a real tree), or play with baubles hanging on the tree

Kittens are particularly prone to getting into mischief as they explore new and unfamiliar surroundings, so make sure to keep your eye on them! 

5. Keep Your Cat Stress-Free

Just bear in mind that some cats can feel unsettled by changes in their space - such as Christmas decorations or lots of unfamiliar guests - and this can make them feel stressed or anxious. If your kitty is a bit on the nervous side, don't panic - just remember that their well-being should always come first. 

Make sure that you know the warning signs of stress in cats, and if concerned, maybe try to dial back your cat's involvement in the festivities. If you are expecting guests, create a quiet, cosy space for your cat to retreat to if they need some alone time. Don't forget that your cat should always have access to their water bowl and litterbox, for indoor cats. You could also try using a spray or diffuser such as this one. 

So, if you're a cat owner, hopefully, these ideas will help you to make the most of the festive season with your pet. Whether this is your first Christmas with your cat or just another one of many, there's always something new you can try to make sure that both the two and four-legged members of the family have a Christmas to remember! 

Do you have a cat? Share your tips for celebrating Christmas with a cat in the comments below!