Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill

Holiday Advice for Cat Owners

holiday advice for cat owners

The big holiday months are just around the corner, which means you’re probably gearing up for all the festivities! From cooking and decorating to hosting guests, the holidays can be a busy and stressful time for anyone, let alone people with pets! For cat-owners, the holidays can be a little tricky, especially if your cat doesn’t particularly like social gatherings and you plan on hosting a family get together. That’s why the Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill has put together some holiday advice for cat owners that will help get both you and your kitty through the season as happily as possible!

Best Advice for Cat Owners at the Holidays

Between decorations, weather, guests, and food, there are a lot of new and unfamiliar things that your kitty might encounter this holiday season. Here is some holiday advice for cat owners to help your cat adjust:

  • Know what food is okay for cats — Your kitty might sniff out the food you’re preparing for the celebration, but be careful what they actually eat! Turkey skin, bones, and gravy might make your cat sick. If they’re curious, feed them a small bite of plain turkey meat and see how they react. If they’re okay in a few hours, another bite or two is probably okay, but make sure it’s bone-free.
  • Keep your cats away from toxic plants — Many holiday plants look great in your home, but they’re unfortunately toxic to kitties! Do your research before buying a plant to put in your home, but to start with, cats should avoid interacting with poinsettias, lilies, and evergreen trees.
  • Manage your cat’s social anxiety — If your cat isn’t a people-person, having a lot of guests over may stress them out. To help your cat remain calm, ensure they have their own quiet space away from people where they can hide and stay out of the way. Closing off the upstairs level of your home or even shutting them in your bedroom are great ways to give your cat their own temporary space until the party is over.
  • Be mindful of weather — Most cats don’t like the wet or the cold, but for the curious cat who does, snow isn’t a great idea. Your cat will be okay to poke around in the snow for a minute or two, but anything more than that and your cat could get sick. If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your cat. Plus, if your cat’s fur gets too wet, it might not hold the heat as it’s supposed to. You don’t want your kitty to get hypothermia! 

If Your Cat Seems Sick, Call the Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill!

Even if you follow this holiday advice for cat owners, we all make mistakes! We try our best to protect our kitties from the hazards that accompany the holidays, but sometimes mistakes happen. If your cat eats something they shouldn’t or looks sick from the cold, contact your closest emergency vet immediately. For everything else, give the kitty experts at the Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill a call! Schedule an appointment with us today at 856-662-2662.

Cat-Friendly Fall Decorating Tips

cat friendly fall decorating tips

With the changing of the weather comes the fall season! There are so many occasions to celebrate during autumn, which always means fun decorations. However, for those with pets, we want to make sure they’re safe and we aren’t accidentally putting them in danger. That’s why the Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill has some cat-friendly fall decorating tips that will help you keep your best friend happy and healthy during the autumnal months!

4 Tips for Cat-Friendly Fall Decorating

Fall decorations can be fun and spooky, but one scare we don’t want is our cat getting sick or hurt. Here are some tips on keeping your cat safe this autumn:

  1. Keep candy and sweets out of reach– Everyone loves fall treats! Whether it’s candy or baked goods, autumn flavors can’t be beat. However, chocolate and candy isn’t great for your cat to eat. Keep them out of reach in a cabinet or in a bowl that you can cover with a snap-on lid so your cats don’t eat something they shouldn’t.
  2. Be very careful about candles and open flame – Fall candle scents are unmatched, whether it’s pumpkin spice or cozy autumn leaves. However, when you’re a cat owner, you know that a lit candle is not something you can leave unattended for long. Kitties have a habit of knocking things over when exploring tables and countertops, and the last thing you want is a house fire from the pumpkin-spiced candle being pushed onto the carpet. If you do light candles, always keep them within your line of sight and blow them out when you’re walking away. 
  3. Know which flowers are toxic to cats – Chrysanthemums, though the quintessential fall flower, are actually toxic to cats and can cause vomiting, digestive problems, agitation, and breathing difficulties. Wondering which plants are safe to keep in the house? Check out our blog post about living with both cats and plants here!
  4. Be careful with small decorations – A lot of people really get into decorating their house for Halloween and autumn, however, make sure you keep small decorations out of reach of cats. Cats are known to knock things over and even try to chomp on small knick knacks. Such things are better kept in rooms unavailable to kitties or outside to prevent your cat from choking or otherwise hurting itself. 

Choose The Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill

If these cat-friendly fall decorating tips still have left you unsure, then it’s best to consult a vet! At the Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill, we’re always happy to answer any questions you have about cat health and behavior. Plus, an easy way to prevent illnesses and ailments—whether they’re caused by decoration disasters or not—is to bring your cat to the vet annually for wellness checkups or other medical services. We encourage you to get in touch today to set up an appointment for your feline family member! We can be reached at (856) 662-2662, so give us a call!