How to Give Your Cat Stress-Free Holidays

 

Even in normal times, the holidays can be stressful for pet cats.  In this strange year when things will certainly be different and stressful for people, your cat will feel it, too.  We all know that cats love their routines and the holidays bring the one thing that can really throw them off:  Change!

During December, many things in a cat's environment can be different (decorations, Christmas trees, rearranged furniture, and lots of new smells), as well as changes to normal routines like meals and even bed time.  Put them all together and you may have a very keyed-up cat on your hands.  To amplify things even more, if you tend to stress during the holidays, your cat will pick up on that and share it with you!  Even normally calm and even-tempered cats can react to the bustle of the holidays.

Happily, there are lots of great ideas out there to help keep your cat calm and happy this time of year.  If your house gets noisier, be sure your cat has a safe, quiet space to "get away from it all."  If they're social and like to be where you are, make sure they have a hiding place where they can observe.  The ideal spot might be in a corner or somewhere higher up.  When your cat feels ready, he'll come out and join you.

If you must travel this holiday season and your cat isn't going with you, make sure a responsible friend, relative or licensed pet sitter is on hand to keep your cat's routine going.  Normal feeding times, regular litter box scooping and having some "people time" every day will go a long way towards keeping your cat happy and stress free.

CLICK HERE to read up on other ways to give your a cat happy and stress-free this holiday season!

If you celebrate by opening presents, make sure there are at least one or two for your furry family members!  There are countless awesome gifts for your cat available, from catnip to toys to motion-sensitive water fountains to elaborate climbers!  You'll find lots of ideas on our Pinterest page!