No, Don’t Jump There! Tips to Keep Your Cat Away From Holiday Decorations

Every time the holidays come around, you can’t wait for your favorite holiday music: the sound of a cat being somewhere they shouldn’t be. This song is a little different from one house to another, but you always become a featured artist on the track with chorus lines like, “Get down,” “Not again,” “Why do you do this?” and “I shouldn’t have put that up this year.” 

Cats just can’t stay away from holiday decorations. They love them. You love your cat almost as much as they love everything they shouldn’t touch. Yet, you can’t help but wonder how to keep them away from decorations that bring more joy in one piece rather than several. 

Keep Catnip Toys Around the House

Cats and catnip go together like cats and catnip. They’re a good pair. Keep your cat happy during the holidays by picking up a few holiday-themed catnip toys. You can even place them strategically around the house as decorations. Your cat will likely prefer these toys over the less aromatically attractive regular decorations. Keep them out of any holiday trees, though, to avoid a cat-tastrophe. 

Stay On Guard While You’re Home

One of the most effective ways to keep your cats away from holiday decorations is a bit taxing: You must stay vigilant. Don’t let your guard down—they’re just waiting for you to look away. You can keep your cats away from decorations when you’re staying on guard or just hanging out at home and tempting your cat to hang out next to you. You might want to invest in cozy bedding for cats to have near or on the couch and decorate that with some fun cat toy “decorations” or cute seasonal toys.

Provide a Safe Comfort Zone for Cats

Cats need a place to escape when the excitement gets too much. It can help curb destructive behavior as well. Build a little safety zone for your cat, including a bed, toys, a water bowl, food, and a litter box. Since the holidays are a busy time, it can help to invest in automatic cat feeders and water fountains so your furry feline friend always has what they need. A top entry litter box and mats are great for the holiday season because they also help keep things a little neater. You might as well decorate the litter box, too. It could help! 

Invest in Interactive Toys

Tire your furry friend out with an interactive cat toy whenever you can. Like dogs, cats are less likely to partake in the usual cataclysmic holiday chaos when they can play. An interactive toy like a toy mouse with wheels can keep them active and entertained, especially if you combine it with a few treats to make it seem like they’re getting something whenever they catch the mouse. Cat scratching posts can help satisfy their urge to scratch holiday decorations like trees, while toys like cat wands can help you spend time together, even during hectic holiday periods. 

Practice Positive Reinforcement 

Whenever your cat feels very generous and listens when you tell them not to pull the tree down by its lights or yank the garland and accompanying candlesticks off the mantle, reward them. Give them a treat or lots of scratchies behind the ears. Not every cat wants to be petted or coddled like a dog, so find a means of reinforcing positive behavior in a cat-friendly way that suits their personality. Consider getting an attractive food storage container to keep their favorite treats fresh and close at hand.

Recognize (and Avoid) the Most Tempting Decorations

All decorations are tempting, but some more so than others. If you’re a cat person with more than one cat in your house, you should actively avoid hanging tinsel, putting up shiny bobbles, and adding bells to decorative pieces. Of course, every cat has their own taste, so some might go for the bigger decorations. Do what you can and try the other techniques when you can’t eliminate the problem decorations. 

Additionally, please avoid keeping real poinsettias in your home. These are toxic to pets.

Cat parents know how to handle their cats, but sometimes the season's stress can make you see red—and not the fun kind of ribbons and bows. You might just need a gentle reminder that cats are great, and their chaos is a part of their appeal.

About Petmate 

Your four-legged friend can turn the day around whenever you feel a little down. With such an important companion in your life, it’s crucial that you give them the proper care and attention they need, and Petmate can help. The pet supply manufacturer has everything pet parents need to build a comfortable space for their dogs and cats, including a highly rated top entry litter box, dog food storage container options, and large dog kennels. Petmate will also help you stock up on essential products like cozy bedding, pet bowls, and fun toys. Whether it’s a specialty product like a Chuckit! Launcher or an everyday item your pet needs for comfort and safety, Petmate ensures you can find your furry family member’s ideal product. 

Get everything you need to create a comfortable holiday home for cats at petmate.com