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Keep the holidays happy
by being pro-active to eliminate any possible dangers to your beloved
pets! Remember - your cat isn't a novelty item & it's dangerous
to try & decorate your cat with ribbons etc!! |
Artificial snow is toxic to cats, so is best avoided. Chocolate is toxic to cats, the darker the chocolate, the more toxic. Chocolate contains both caffeine & theobromine, which are both toxic. If you suspect your cat has eaten chocolate watch for signs of restlessness & vomiting, if in doubt, see your vet. Poison plants include Holly, mistletoe, poinsettias
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Be careful with tinsel, if you must have it on your tree, place it at the top of the tree where the cat is less likely to be able to get at it. Tinsel AND Ribbons can be caught around the intestines & stomach & cause a blockage, which will result in emergency (and costly) surgery to remove it. It can also wrap around the tongue or even cause death by choking A safer alternative are the strands of beads. Ornaments should be securely attached to the tree to prevent them being knocked off. Also place delicate ornaments up high where they're less likely to be knocked off & broken. When there is nobody around, unplug Christmas lights, you may want to try applying a cat repellent such as bitter apple to the lights to deter your cat from chewing the wires, obviously if this was to happen it could cause a fatal electric shock. Candles are especially popular over the Christmas holiday period, be careful to make sure your cat can't get close to lit candles.
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Buying a kitten as a gift is fine as long as the person receiving the kitten has asked for a pet & is prepared for the commitment of pet owning for the next several years. Pet ownership is a big responsibility & shouldn't be entered into lightly. Never buy a pet as a surprise gift for somebody!! Animal shelters can tell you that one of their busiest times of the year is just after Christmas people bring them unwanted pets Also, because Christmas is usually such a chaotic time, it is best to try & arrange to collect your kitten after Christmas to avoid undue stress on the animal.
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If you are going away on holiday, you
may have several alternatives:
Whichever option you take, make sure you leave a phone number where you can be contacted & your vet's telephone number in case of an emergency. |