It’s time to ring in the New Year and the big question is – how will those holiday plans affect your cat? If you’re hosting a party, you need to keep in mind that a lot of the things that make New Year’s Eve fun for us make it a not so great experience for cats. Here are some safety tips from the Northern Illinois Cat Clinic to make the experience safer and less stressful for your cat.
Think like a cat before starting festivities – Walk through your home and look for decorations, food and other things that may be harmful to cats. Decorations like balloons, streamers and tinsel are choking hazards for cats. Make sure they are out of reach so your kitty won’t be tempted to get into the wrong thing.
No cheers for kitty – Those yummy beverages that make or break your party aren’t a good thing for your cat since alcohol can be toxic for pets. Make sure to keep glasses out of reach and clean up spills before they can lap up the left overs.
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Watch the goodies – The same holds true for many of the foods you may serve – from appetizers to desserts to whatever is in between. Watch out for bones (from chicken wings), chocolate, caffeine, Macadamia Nuts, grapes, raisins, undercooked meat and eggs, onions, garlic chives and milk all should be avoided by cats.
Lower the noise – Noisemakers, some fireworks and loud music are all part of the celebration. Because a cat’s hearing is more sensitive than people’s, work at keeping the noise level down – or set up a quiet room for your cat.
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Watch for signs – If your cat wants to wander around during the party, watch for signs that the noise, lights or extra activity may be causing your cat to be stressed. Move your cat to a quieter area if that happens.
Set up a quiet space – One of the best ways to keep your cat less stressed and out of danger for New Year’s Eve is to set up a quiet room for your cat. A bed, food, toys, crate and some quiet noise – like a TV on low – may help keep your cat from getting too stressed.
Check your pet’s ID – Make sure your cat is microchipped just in case he or she slips out. If your cat wears an ID, make sure the information is up-to-date just in case your cat gets out.
Northern Illinois Cat Clinic is a full service cat-only veterinary clinic that has been providing exceptional cat care with state-of-the-art technology since 1982. Their goal is to make your cat feel at home in their comfortable, safe and loving environment. The American Association of Feline Practitioners has recently certified the Northern Illinois Cat Clinic as a Cat-Friendly Practice. Learn more online, visit them at 295 Peterson in Libertyville, or follow them on Facebook.
