How to have a Cat Safe Christmas

Christmas can pose hazards for your cat and this is especially true for curious kittens. From the stress of a busy household with visitors dropping by, to dangers of the Christmas tree, it’s important to be aware of the risks to your cat. Here are some tips to help you make your Christmas cat safe.

Important things to remember for a cat safe Christmas

• Keep an eye on your Christmas tree, especially if your cat likes to climb
• Keep festive plants and berries out of reach as they can be poisonous
• Tinsel and other decorations can be dangerous if they are swallowed
• Keep festive foods away from cats – chocolate and raisins to onions and garlic, can be toxic
• Give your cat a safe space to hide and plenty of space to prevent stress

Christmas Trees

The oils produced by real Christmas trees are mildly toxic and irritate your cat’s mouth and stomach. Flashing lights, bright baubles and tantalising tinsel all pose dangers that need to be managed. Whether you opt for a real or artificial tree, there are some things you can do to cat proof your tree:

• Place your tree somewhere that your cat doesn’t usually spend a lot of time 
• Keep your tree away from anything that your cat can climb on, such as a chair, table or shelf
• Use a heavy, sturdy stand to hold your tree or place weights on the base, to stop it toppling over 
• Consider using a tree guard or secure your tree in place to prevent it from falling over if your cat does try to climb it
• Be careful if using plant food or fertiliser for a potted tree, as many are toxic to cats and may leak into the watering tray
• Be aware that potted trees with soil may be used as litter trays
• Pick up any dropped needles as they can be sharp enough to hurt a cat’s paws and can cause damage if chewed or swallowed
• Avoid using tinsel as it is particularly dangerous if swallowed
• Place any hanging ornaments or delicate glass ornaments near the top of the tree, out of reach of your cat’s curious paws
• Avoid edible decorations and secure other decorations to the tree as tightly as possible
• Cover any tree light wires leading to the tree with a cardboard or plastic tube to prevent chewing
• Consider using battery powered LED lights or switch the lights off at the mains when you are not at home
• Don’t place any present for your cat under the tree, especially if they are edible or contain catnip
• Supervise your cat when it is near the tree, especially if they are young or particularly playful – or you may wish to place your tree in a room that can be closed off from your cat when you are not around to supervise

Festive Plants 

Festive plants such as lilies and holly with berries make great decorations but many are poisonous to cats. 

It’s important to contact a vet urgently if you know or suspect your cat has eaten any poisonous plants and to take the suspected plant with you. The following plants should be avoided or kept well out of reach: 

• Lilies – all parts of the plant, even small amounts of pollen, are very dangerous if ingested  
• Mistletoe and holly – the berries are the most toxic
• Amaryllis bulbs, stalks and flowers can be toxic to cats
• Poinsettia plants cause mild signs of poisoning
• Deiffenbachia (Dumb cane or leopard lily) can cause mouth irritation

Christmas treats and foods

While Christmas is a time to indulge in delicious foods and treats, not all of these are appropriate for our cats to eat. As cats will readily lick up anything spilled, take care to clean up spills before they can, especially if it is something hot that may burn their mouths. Take care with the string from cooked meats as it may present an irresistible temptation. Some foods to keep away from cats include the following:

• Onions and garlic – cooked or raw
• Raisins and grapes – even in small quantities
• Chocolate – even in tiny amounts
• Alcohol – whether it is in food or drinks

Other Tips to Prevent Stress in Your Cat

With visitors &/or new smells and objects in the house, Christmas can be a stressful time for cats, especially if you have a nervous cat that does not like change or new situations.

While it’s tempting to involve your cat in the festivities by buying a fun outfit or fancy dress costume, this can make your cat feel very stressed. Many costumes can restrict your cat’s movement, making them less able to express their normal cat behaviour, such as grooming or stretching. Additionally, there is the risk of an outfit being caught or snagged, especially if your cat does not like the outfit and runs to try and escape it.  

In order to help make your cat feel safe, try these tips during the festive period:

• Provide one or more hiding places somewhere quiet so your cat can escape the chaos
• Offer an additional litter tray away from busy areas
• Use a pheromone spray or diffuser to help keep them calm
• Have a special, quiet room available where they can be left undisturbed
• Avoid moving furniture around and excessive cleaning
• Avoid having other animals in your house, or keep them away from your cat

Leaving Your Cat Over The Christmas Period

If you’re heading off on holiday, or visiting relatives and friends over the Christmas period, it’s important that you have a trusted cat sitter or cattery that you can depend on to take care of your cat. 

Many prefer having a cat sitter come to their house so that your cat can stay at home in their own environment. You may choose to have a friend, neighbour or family member stay in your house or visit at least twice a day, or you may choose to use a professional pet sitting service. 

If you use a cattery, make sure that it is licensed with your local authority and/or visit it before making a booking. Some catteries let you do a trial stay to see how your cat copes. Whatever you choose, make sure you leave your emergency contact details, details of your vet, enough cat litter, food and medication, for the time you’re away. 

We hope you find all these valuable and important tips helpful in keeping your cat/s safe, happy and relaxed at all times, during the festive season.

We extend our warmest wishes to you and your wonderful pets for a very enjoyable & safe Christmas and New Year. 

Thank you so much for supporting Purrform during 2025 and we look forward to bringing you more interesting and educational articles during 2026.