Fat Cats and Red Birds

      So this past holiday season when we put our Christmas tree up, neither of our fat cats was in the least bit interested.  They lounged lazily on the back of the couch and watched us decorate as we danced around to my favorite Ray Coniff Christmas CD (ok, we danced around to Ray C for only a short time before he got outvoted and Amy Grant was voted in).  Anyway, the nonchalant cats seemed oblivious to what we were doing.  But sure enough, when we got out of bed the next morning, although the tree was still standing perfectly, there were bird feathers from a red cardinal ornament (thank God only an ornament!) spread throughout the house.    And on the stairs, regurgitated something or other with bits and pieces of scotch tape in it. 

      I guess I need to heed my own advice of the Christmas tree dangers article that I wrote just recently.

     And so the happy holiday season began!

Danger! Cats and Christmas Trees

    Sophie loves Christmas....the lights, the tinsel, the ornaments and the activity.  When I hear about her holiday adventures every year, I am always reminded that I have two of the laziest cats in the world.  Sugar won't even exert enough energy to catch a mouse, and Spice is only slightly more "alive", therefore, although I do take precautions, I don't have to worry too much about their safety during the holidays.  So, it is for active, animated Sophie, my sister's cat and the star of this blog, and for all those like her, that I write this article. 

     Christmas is coming, believe it or not, and soon all of the holiday decorations are going to be going up in homes across the country. WE might not feel ready for it, but our cats ARE!  From behind boxes, from under tables, from the other sides of walls and doors, they will watch us spend hours decorating.  Hanging the wreaths, setting out the candles, putting up the tree.  They will act like they don't know what's going on, but when you least expect it, they will emerge.  Be ready.  Be ready for the mess, the broken ornaments, the knocked over knick knacks of Santa Claus and snowmen, but most importantly, be ready for the lurking dangers lying in wait for you feline family member.

     Christmas trees are beautiful.  Your cat thinks so too, so it is important to make your tree as stable as you possible can.  Start with a well balanced, fairly heavy tree stand (you don't want your cat knocking the whole thing over at the base) and then secure the entire tree to a window or a wall.  Some people actually hang their Christmas trees from the ceiling with rope or fish line to prevent their cats from climbing in them.  Different, but creative.  Overall, an artificial tree is much more safe for cats then a real one, as cats aren't as attracted to "the fake" thing as much as they are to "the real thing".  But keep in mind that an artificial tree can still cause problems especially if your cat eats it, however, getting an artificial tree can erase at least SOME of the dangers.  Do make sure not to get a scented one though, as cats can be very drawn to the smell of pine.  For those who can't live without a REAL tree (I think my husband is the leader of this group), just remember that your cat is going to be very attracted to it and if he decides to take a taste, the pine and other types of needles can pierce his intestines.  Just the tree water itself can make your cat sick, due to bacteria, dirt and fertilizers.  

    Even if your cat does not have an appetite for your tree, she most likely will have an attraction to the ornaments and tinsel you decorate it with.  Glass ornaments can break when your cat decides to use them as toys, and the broken glass, of course, can be a peril.  Tinsel is especially hazardous to cats (and to dogs as well, for that matter).  The shiny, glittery strands are very alluring and make, what cats think to be, wonderful toys.  But beware!  Tinsel can become twisted within the intestinal tract and can even cut through the intestinal wall.  Both of these situations can be fatal.  Most likely, anything less then half an inch long will be eliminated in your cat's bowel movements, but it is still wise to watch for signs of bowel obstruction.  These signs include, but are not limited to, a hunched up stance, lethargy, fever, vomiting, lack of appetite, pain in the abdomen and no bowel movements.  If you think your cat has eaten a piece of tinsel, it would be best to get her to the vet as soon as possible.   Also, if you see a piece of tinsel hanging from her rectum, be sure you do not pull it, as it can rend out the entire intestine.  Get her to a vet immediately.  All in all, the wisest thing would be to not use tinsel on your Christmas tree at all.  There are many other options out there for decorating, including going with a natural look or even with an old fashioned popcorn/construction paper theme.

     One last Christmas tree hazard...the electrical cord.  There is a cord called Critter Cord, designed with a bitter taste to help keep animals from chewing on it.  This can be purchased online and also at limited retail stores.  

      If these tips don't keep your cat out of the tree,  you can resort to the old fashioned method of the spray bottle (spraying your cat, not the tree!).  This can be effective, but only if you are constantly in the room to keep an eye on your pet . An alternative to the spray bottle would be a motion detection system that you can set up near your tree, but at that point it seems like it would be easier just to close your feline friend in another room with his food and litter box while you are gone.

     Even if you follow every technique possible for cat proofing your tree, all cats are different.  You can never be 100% sure that your cat will be deterred by your efforts.  Always having someone with your cat and the tree while they are together would by far be the best game plan.  Closing him in his own space, as mentioned above, would be effective, or leaving him with a friend or a reliable cat sitter would be favorable.

      Now this may sound a bit extreme, but I have seen it done.  Decorating the Christmas tree....and THEN decorating the cat!  Please remember, your precious kitty is your pet, not a novelty or a new fangled contraption.

     Keeping these tips in mind will help to ensure a safe and happy holiday season for all! 

Sophie's toys and how to get them

Sweet Sophie's toys are in the beginning stages. I am new at this blogging thing and so is my sister, so for now, she is trying to knit, knit, knit and get a good amount of toys done for the holidays.....little fish, little balls, filled with fun, crinkly paper, cat nip and little jingle bells...all in Christmas colors for the holidays. If you are interested, please email me. We don't have a paypal account set up yet, but we can work something out in the meantime. Thank you to the followers of this blog.....and thank you for your patience with a couple of newbies!

Sophie's Poem

 Sophie is my sister's cat

and at first glance, she seems a brat.

But do dig deeper, if you dare 

and find it is from love and care,

that she now has a rampant spunk

from timid cat to wild punk!