The holidays are meant to be a joyful time, but for many of us, they’ve turned into a stressful race to an imaginary finish line. Between parties, baking, shopping, and entertaining, there always seems to be one more thing that needs to get done. And all of this holiday stress affects our cats, too.
Cats are creatures of habit and don’t like to have their routines disrupted. They also pick up on our stress, and your stress can actually make your cat sick. I highly recommend managing your own stress during the holidays and take some time to enjoy the season rather than constantly rushing through the days – your cats will thank you for it.
Here are some tips to help your cats have a stress-free holiday season:
Try to maintain regular routines as much as possible
Feed, cuddle and play with your cats at the same time you always do. If you haven’t already established regular play sessions, now is a great time to do this. 10-15 minutes a couple of times a day will provide stress relief for you and your cats.
Give extra cuddles
Chances are, you’ll be spending more time away from home, whether it’s shopping, going to parties, or even traveling. Make up for this by spending extra time with your cats when you are home.
Give calming remedies
Spirit Essences’ highly effective Stress Stopper formula can help your cats cope with the increased hustle and bustle during the holidays. Composure Calming Treats may also help.
Create a safe room
If you’re going to be entertaining and your cat is not the social kind, create a safe room for her where she can be away from all the commotion. Make sure she has a litter box, toys, and water in the room with her. Periodically visit her in the room even while you have guests in the house, and reassure her.
Keep your cats safe from holiday hazards
Use common sense if you’re putting up a tree. Cats and Christmas trees can co-exist if you take precautions. Mistletoe is extremely toxic to cats, poinsettas are also toxic. . Christmas lilies are deadly. For other holiday hazards, read More Toxic Than Poinsettas: Top 5 Holiday Cat Hazards.
To ensure that everyone will have a safe and happy holiday season, manage your own stress, and help your cats manage their stress. You may just find that by slowing down a little, you and your cats will enjoy the season that much more.
Photo: Flickr Creative Commons
