Cat owners planning to deck the halls should be careful what they bring into their homes this holiday. Many of the season’s shiny baubles and festive foliage can pose a danger to your curious kitty.
Quick thinking in a crisis can save your furry friend. But more importantly, decorating your home with your cat’s safety in mind can help you avoid an emergency altogether.
5 Common Decorations that Are Hazards to Your Cat
Some of the most popular decorations are the worst things you can put into your home when you have cats. Other items pose smaller risks, but it’s important to be aware of all of them just the same.
- Tinsel: Shiny tinsel looks an awful lot like your cat’s toys. If they manage to swallow some of it while playing, it can obstruct their digestive system, or worse — slice through their intestines like wire.
- Cables and Lights: Bright, blinking lights pose as an electrical danger if your cat tries to chew through the wiring.
- Christmas Trees: If your cat likes to climb, they can hurt themselves should the tree topple over. Real trees also produce mildly toxic oils, and — though rare — the pine needles can cause internal damage if swallowed.
- Ribbon, Bows & Other Wrapping Materials: Much like tinsel, ribbon and other wrapping accessories can injure your cat if they swallow them.
- Festive Plants & Floral Arrangements: Poinsettias, holly, mistletoe, lilies, and dieffenbachia can poison your kitty if they chomp on their leaves or berries.
How to Handle a Cat Emergency This Holiday
If you’re reading this article too late, your cat might have already gotten into something they shouldn’t. At this point, you should rush your furry friend to the vet for assistance.
Unfortunately, a visit to the vet can be challenging to afford, especially at this time of year. Not only are you spending more on the holidays, but you may also pay more if you need to see a vet after hours or on the holiday itself.
If you don’t have enough cash to spare at this time of year, you can find a personal loan online for help. Many online personal loans come with simple applications you can fill out quickly to find out if you qualify. If approved for a personal loan online, you can receive your funds directly in your bank account, so you can handle your cat’s vet bill quickly.
An online personal loan won’t solve everything, but it will give you more time to come up with the funds to pay for your emergency. Depending on your financial institution, you may pay off what you owe over multiple months.
Make Sure You Cat-Proof the Holidays
You can avoid the heartbreak, stress, and financial pressure of an emergency vet visit by preparing your home with your cat in mind. As a recap, here’s what you can do to put your pet’s safety first:
- Skip the tinsel.
- Tidy up electrical cords or wipe them down with hot sauce to discourage nibbles.
- Secure your Christmas tree so it doesn’t fall over.
- Don’t use ribbon to wrap presents.
- Decorate with these cat-friendly plants instead.
