Turkey Day is this month! And that means family, food, and festivities… While you’re getting ready for the big day, be sure to make a few preparations for your furriest family members, too. They’ll be thankful you did! Here are some tips to ensure your feline friends have a purrfect Thanksgiving, too!
Get ready for begging – yes, even from the cat!
The smell of a home-cooked holiday meal can be extremely overpowering and even the most behaved cat will be at the table hoping for a bite. Provide your cat with a distraction while you’re eating to ensure that they stay away from the table. A puzzle toy stuffed with cat treats is the perfect way to keep your feline friend consumed for several minutes so you can enjoy your holiday meal.
Not all scraps are good scraps.
The food is the best part of the holidays! But not all human food can be cat food. It is important to know which holiday foods are toxic to your pet before you start feeding him your scraps. For example, make sure you stay away from chocolate, raisins, onions, etc. since they can cause a lot of harm to your cat’s health. While turkey is tasty, it’s often cooked with spices, butter, and fats that can be quite dangerous for your furriest family member.
Beware of cooked bones.
Every now and then, it’s okay to feed your furry loved one some scraps of your meal. However, you should NEVER feed your pet cooked bones. Be sure to throw away leftover turkey and ham bones. Cooked bones have the potential to splinter and can be extremely detrimental to your pet’s health, causing damage to the intestine if accidentally swallowed.
Guest overload.
Turkey Day festivities always include a handful of guests. With people constantly coming in and out of the door, your furry loved one may be tempted to sneak out and run away. Make sure your guests know they need to respect your cat’s space – and also not to let your pet outside.
Plan an escape route.
Even the friendliest cats can get stressed with a lot of people coming and going. Make sure your feline friend has an escape route in case they get overwhelmed. Let your guests know to leave them alone if they need it.
Give your cat some extra love.
Remember that your furry loved one can sense when you are stressed out and may begin to act up or get scared. Try to give them some extra love and treats during, what can be a very confusing and stressful time of year.
Body language is key.
Children (and some adults) can get very excited and noisy during the holidays. Pay close attention to your cat’s body language to make sure that they are comfortable and not getting overwhelmed by the festivities. Have a safe, quiet place for your cat to escape to if they need it.
Follow these tips to ensure a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday for your furriest family member. Your cat will thank you for it!
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