Cat-Friendly Ways to Decorate Your Home this Christmas

How to Make Your Christmas Decorations Cat-Friendly

If you’re worried about putting up decorations with your cat around, here are some of our best tips to make sure your Christmas décor is cat-friendly:

Create a Cat Safe Christmas Tree

Trees can be an exciting object for cats. The dangly decorations and twinkling lights make them look like fun places to climb. But picking up shattered decorations isn’t exactly the most exciting festive activity!

To prevent the tree from tipping, use a weighted base to keep it secure from mischievous paws. Place the tree in a safe spot, such as a room your cat doesn’t usually enter or tucked into a corner. Alternatively, try using a mini tree on a cupboard or mount it to a wall for an extra cat safe Christmas tree.  

Choose the Right Decorations

To prevent injury and risk, choose felt, wood, fabric or shatterproof ornaments instead of breakable glass or glittery ones that can shed into small parts. Avoid using tinsel around the house and on your tree, as it can cause intestinal blockages if your cat ingests it. 

Make sure your cat-friendly Christmas decorations are hung securely, using twine instead of sharp hooks that could hurt your kitty’s paws. As well as securing the decorations, attach the lights securely to the trunk so they aren’t dangling, reducing the temptation for any playful felines! 

Take Safety Precautions

It’s important to take precautions to keep your furry friend safe. To deter your cat from climbing the tree, you can wrap the base of the trunk in foil while also bringing some festive shine to it! If you have a real tree, be sure to cover the water in the Christmas tree stand to prevent your cat from drinking from it, as it may contain sap or other harmful substances.  

For lights around the home, keep the electrical cords hidden and covered to prevent curious kitties from getting a shock. If it’s not easy to hide the cords, you can use a cardboard tube as a protective casing or employ cord protectors to keep your cat safe.

Keeping a Calm Environment When Decorating with Cats

The festive season can be a stressful time for cats, as there are a lot of changes, different people, unfamiliar noises and unusual smells. There are a few steps you can take to keep a calm environment when putting up your Christmas décor with cats around:

• Maintain quiet zones away from noisy gatherings that your cat can relax in. If your cat is in this area, make sure to leave them undisturbed and ensure that they have constant access to the area. This will help them feel secure in this space. 

• Plug in FELIWAY® Optimum in their safe space to reassure and comfort your cat with messages of enhanced serenity. 

• Make sure your cat can easily access their resources, such as litter trays, scratching posts, and food, from these calm areas. 

• Avoid bright, flashing decorations near your cat’s resting areas to prevent any discomfort.  

Festive Safety Tips

• When decorating with cats around, avoid edible decorations such as popcorn strings, as these may contain hazardous ingredients for your cat.

• Keep dangling decorations in upper areas away from any wandering paws!

• Keep ribbons and string from gift wrapping out of reach. Although cats generally won’t rip into gifts, be mindful about leaving gifts containing chocolate or other toxic foods for cats around the tree. 

• Unplug lights when you are not in the house so there are no electrical or fire hazards.

• Use LED lights, as these do not heat up in the same way, so there is a reduced chance of burns if your cat gets too close to them.

• The flame of a candle can attract cats’ attention, as their eyes are designed to detect small movements. This can pose a risk, as they can get singed paws or noses or even accidentally knock them over during moments of curiosity. 

• Snow globes often contain ethylene glycol, which is highly poisonous for cats. It’s best not to have them, as if they get knocked over, they can break and leak.

Other Ways to Have a Cat-Friendly Christmas

• Observe your cat’s reactions to new decorations and adjust them if they display uncomfortable body language or a negative reaction. 

• Introduce changes gradually to help your cat adapt to the festive period. For example, start by moving the furniture to clear space for the tree for a day or two. Then, add the bare tree, and finally decorate it, allowing your cat to explore at their own pace. Reward your cat with treats like Happy Snack by FELIWAY® when they calmly accept the changes to build positive associations.

• If your cat is particularly playful or interested in the tree or other cat-friendly Christmas decorations, make sure to supervise them when they are nearby. 

• Try providing them with a cat-friendly alternative, such as a new cat tree, scratching post, catnip toy or cardboard discovery box to draw their curiosity away from the decorations.

• Avoid dressing your cat up as part of your decorations or theme. Instead, use festive bedding, cushions, pet stockings and toys to create the look you want. When introducing new items to your cat, you can spray the items with FELIWAY® Classic. Simply wait 15-minutes for the spray to settle before allowing your cat to approach the area, and it will quickly help make them more familiar and comfortable for your cat.

• Instead of using human food as a treat, offer your cat Happy Snack by FELIWAY®. This milk protein-based treat is a delicious, lickable snack that you can add to your cat’s daily routine to help them stay calm during the festive period. 

For more festive cat care tips, continue exploring our FELIWAY® blog online. And don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter to stay in the loop with everything we’re up to!