The holidays are just around the corner, and you still don’t know, fabCat, if your furballs will earn a fancy cardboard palace from Santa Paws or if they’ll find a lump of coal under the tree this year? We’ve got some tips for you so celebrating with your cats doesn’t have to mean 24/7 surveillance of the Christmas tree to ward off a feline mountaineer. Stick with us!

Safe Holidays with Your Cat: What to Remember, fabCat

Let’s start with the essentials—your cat’s safety. After all, a falling Christmas tree is not just a hassle for whoever has to pick up the shattered ornaments—if your kitty doesn’t dodge the falling tree in time, things could get really dangerous. This holiday season, keep these in mind, fabCat:

• Secure your Christmas tree. If your cat might climb it, make sure it’s properly anchored. Use a sturdy stand or pot, consider attaching the tree to the ceiling or wall, and evenly distribute ornaments to balance the branches. If you’re going with a real tree, choose one in a pot to minimize the risk of your cat drinking the water, which could be harmful.
• Choose safe decorations. Go for ornaments made of plastic, felt, or wood—not glass. If you’re using garlands, paper ones are best. Skip tinsel, ribbons, and anything your cat might swallow. For lights, pick ones with cords out of your cat’s reach to avoid tempting their curious paws.
• Opt for cat-safe plants. Skip mistletoe and poinsettias, and go for a Christmas cactus instead—it blooms beautifully and won’t harm your cat if they decide to test their teeth on it.
• Keep candles out of reach. Sure, a scented candle makes for a cozy holiday vibe, but open flames and curious furballs don’t mix. If you light candles, keep them out of your cat’s reach, always under supervision, and avoid scents that might irritate their sensitive noses.

Your cat is bound to wander near the holiday table sooner or later. Make sure they don’t swipe anything harmful, and why not treat them to their own festive feast? Check out our feline-friendly holiday menu here:

Christmas Meowsterchef for cats – what can you feed your kitty at the table?

What Gift to Get Your Cat for the Holidays?

Does every cat get into mischief now and then? Of course. But Santa Paws still visits them every year with presents! So, what can you put under the tree for your furballs to let them feel the magic of the season and truly enjoy their gifts?

New scratching posts. You know us, fabCat—scratching posts are a must-have in every cat’s kingdom. A shiny new post for sharpening claws is a true treasure under the tree. To make your shopping easier, Santa Paws has dropped a whole sack of discounts on www.mykotty.eu for the iconic LUI, the strongman VIGO, luxurious XL scratchers, the mobile duo TOBI and YODI, as well as cozy beds and cat toys. Something for every taste 🙂

Favorite treats. It might be a small thing, but when everyone’s enjoying cheesecakes, gingerbread, and other aromatic holiday goodies, don’t let your cats feel left out. Serve them their favorite tuna, dried meat snacks, or a snuffle mat packed with their favorite treats. After all, calories don’t count on Christmas Eve.

A fresh pot of cat grass. You won’t believe it until you try, but this is seriously one of the best ways to distract your cat from nibbling on the tree or hay under the tablecloth. Plus, since winter means thicker coats and more swallowed fur, cat grass doubles as a natural hairball remedy.

Other surefire gifts for cats include toys stuffed with fresh catnip (like Kung Fu toys), vertical scratchers, new bowls, a litter box upgrade, or even a vet check-up. Your cat might not love the last one, but a healthy cat is a happy cat 🙂

New Year’s Eve with Your Cat: How to Keep Them Calm

Ready for some New Year’s fun? That’s fantastic! Cats, however, would probably prefer to spend New Year’s Eve in the calmest atmosphere possible. As responsible cat parents, we know their needs always come first. Remember that cats don’t understand why there’s suddenly so much noise, loud music, and fireworks outside. From their perspective, the world might as well be ending. So how can you help your cats stay calm and happy, fabCat?

• Close and cover the windows. Some cats aren’t afraid of fireworks and will even sit on the windowsill to watch, but if your kitty isn’t one of them, tightly closing and covering windows can significantly reduce the noise.
• Prepare a safe hiding spot. Ideally, it should be in a quiet, cozy area away from the windows. It could be a bedroom, living room, hallway closet, or bathroom. The key is to give your cat a place where they feel secure and can nap or stay occupied rather than anxiously waiting for the chaos to pass.
• Spend time with your cat. You don’t need to hover, but let your cat know you’re there for them. Play with a wand toy, train them with treats, or snuggle up on the couch with a blanket and a good movie. Make the night feel as normal as possible.
• Going out? Arrange for company. Surely you know someone who isn’t planning to party that night. See if they can spend time with your cat while you celebrate the New Year. If something (knock on wood) goes wrong and your cat gets stressed, it’s better to have someone there to help than to hope for the best.

No matter what your holiday plans are, we hope you spend them in a warm, family atmosphere with your cats by your side and smiles on your faces. Wishing you a peaceful and Merry Christmas, fabCats!

Warm wishes,
the myKotty team