How to Make Christmas Fun for You and Your Cat
Ho, ho, ho, cat lovers! It's that time of year again, when the halls are decked with boughs of holly and your cat is eyeing the Christmas tree like it's a climbing wall at a local crossfit centre. Fear not, though, because Christmas can, and should, be fun for both you and your cat. So, tie the Christmas tree to the wall, grab yourself a notepad, and jot down some of the following suggestions!
Deck the Halls with... Catnip!
First things first, let's talk decorations. Your cat sees that towering Christmas tree as the ultimate playground, complete with shiny balls to swat and garlands to unravel. Instead of trying to keep them away, why not make the tree cat-friendly? Hang some cat-safe ornaments, like plush toys, from the lower branches to give your kitty a chance to get in on the holiday spirit. If you’re worried your cat might still try to pull the tree down, some catnip-infused scratchpads near the base of the tree could be enough to pull their attention elsewhere.
Cat-tastic Presents
Everyone deserves a little something under the tree, even your feline friend! Grab some toys or a new feather wand for your cat and really try to wrap them in a way that will make the unwrapping process as entertaining as possible for your cat. Think about adding lots of extra pieces of paper to the job so they have plenty to shred. Watching them tear into the paper is a gift in itself!
The Great Catmas Feast
While you enjoy your Christmas dinner, don't forget to treat your cat to a special meal, too! Whip up some cat-friendly treats or indulge them with a bit of turkey (just be sure it's boneless and without any seasoning). It's a purr-fect way to include your feline friend in the festivities. If you decide to give them real meat, and the meat is dry, consider adding a small amount of water to help them get it down. Cats do a lot better with a little moisture in their food.
Meowy Christmas Card Photo
Admittedly, this one might be less for your cat and more for you. At least once, capture the festive spirit with a Christmas card photo including you and your cat. Most cats don’t like to be dressed up, so a costume is not recommended, but you can dress yourself up and hold your cat for the photo! Another great way to do it is to get a shot of you with the cat, then embed a close up of the cat’s face in the upper corner of the photo! Even if your cat has a grumpy expression the entire time, you'll have an adorable holiday card to send out, as well as a fantastic memory to cherish.
Kitty Advent Calendar
Countdown the days to Christmas with a cat-themed advent calendar! There are plenty available for purchase at pet stores, or you can opt to make your own. Regardless, each day, ideally, your cat gets to open a little door and discover a tiny surprise which could be a treat, a toy, or something else they might enjoy.
Let the Holiday Spirit Flow
Making the holidays fun for you and your cat is easy. It’s all about finding fun ways to get them involved, catproofing where you can, and distracting them when necessary. Being the curious creatures they are, the more new and interesting things you can introduce them to, the better. Enrichment is a big part of helping develop a cat into an intelligent, calm, well-rounded animal and events like Christmas can provide them with some fascinating new experiences.