## Christmas: a celebration for humans, a danger for cats

**December**:
- Tree indoors.
- Sparkling lights.
- Fragrant foods.
- Visits from relatives.

**For the cat**:
- **Total chaos**.
- **Stress**.
- **Daily dangers**.

**Every year**:
- Veterinary emergency rooms full during the holidays.
- Poisonings, obstructions, falls.

Let's take a look at the 10 dangers to be aware of.

## Danger 1: the Christmas tree

### For the cat

**Temptations**:
- Climbs (even if "it shouldn't").
- Knocks down ornaments.

**Risks**:
- Tree fall (injuries).
- Breakage of ornaments.
- Ingestion of fragments.

### Solutions

**"Cat-proof" tree**:
- **Secure it to the wall/ceiling** with invisible wire.
- **Heavy base**.
- **Small tree** positioned high.

**"Kid-friendly" tree**:
- Shatterproof ornaments.
- No thin wires.

**Fake tree**:
- Safer than real (no eaten needles).

## Danger 2: lights

### Risks

- **Chewed wires** (shock).
- **Strangulation** with long wires.
- **Burns from bulbs**.

### Solutions

- **Conceal wires** behind furniture.
- **Protective wire covers** (available online).
- **LED lights** (less hot).
- **Turn off** when not at home.

## Danger 3: dangerous decorations

### Types of risky decorations

**Metal wire/tinsel**:
- Ingestion = severe intestinal obstruction.
- **AVOID** with cats.

**Glass balls**:
- Breakage = glass everywhere.
- Cuts on paws/mouth.

**Strings and ribbons**:
- Possible ingestion.
- Intestinal obstruction.

**Small decorations**:
- Choking hazard.

### Solutions

- **Shatterproof ornaments**.
- **Decorations without metal wire**.
- **No long ribbons**.
- **Decorations placed high** (out of dog's reach).

## Danger 4: toxic foods

### Dangerous holiday foods

**Chocolate**:
- Ubiquitous in gifts.
- **Toxic to cats**.

**Pandoro/Panettone**:
- **Raisins** = toxic.

**Dried fruit**:
- Almonds, macadamia nuts.

**Onion, garlic** in dishes:
- Toxic to cats.

**Alcohol**:
- Toxic even in small doses.

**Fatty leftovers**:
- Bacon, ham, salami.
- Acute pancreatitis.

### Solutions

- **Keep food out of reach**.
- **Sealed trash bin**.
- **Table not accessible**.
- **Educate family members**: do not give leftovers.

## Danger 5: toxic Christmas plants

### Dangerous plants

**Poinsettia**:
- Toxic (vomiting, irritation).
- Common in homes.

**Mistletoe**:
- Toxic (cardiotoxic).

**Holly (Ilex)**:
- Berries are toxic.

**Lily flowers**:
- **EXTREMELY LETHAL**.

**Hyacinthus (hyacinth)**:
- Toxic.

### Solutions

- **No toxic plants** at home.
- **"Fake" plants** for decoration.
- **Safe plants** if you want real ones (see dedicated article).

## Danger 6: candles and fire

### Risks

- **Burnt wax** = burns.
- **Knocked over candles** = fires.
- **Strong scents** = respiratory stress.

### Solutions

- **Battery-operated candles** (LED).
- **Inaccessible locations**.
- **Never lit without supervision**.

## Danger 7: wrapped gifts

### Risks

- **Chewed paper**.
- **Swallowed ribbons**.
- **Sealed boxes** with the dog inside as a joke.

### Solutions

- **Never put the dog in a box**.
- **Immediately collect packaging**.
- **No long ribbons**.

## Danger 8: visits from strangers

### Stress for the cat

- **Unknown people** in the house.
- **Loud children**.
- **Noisy gatherings**.

### Consequences

- Acute stress.
- Escape.
- Stress cystitis.
- Apathy.

### Solutions

- **Safe room** for the cat.
- **Feliway diffuser**.
- **Do not force** interaction.
- **Refuge space** always available.

## Danger 9: fireworks (New Year's Eve)

### See dedicated article for dogs

**For cats**:
- Same stress.
- Possible escapes.

### Solutions

- Closed room.
- No outings.
- Relaxing music.
- Feliway.

## Danger 10: extreme temperatures

### In winter

**Heating**:
- Cats get too close (burns).

**Cold outdoors**:
- Never let sensitive cats out too long.

### Solutions

- **Screens in front of heaters**.
- **Never confine the cat** in a cold room.

## The "safe room" for the cat

**Setup**:
- Quiet room (bedroom, study).
- Food, water, litter box.
- Comfortable bed.
- Optional Feliway.
- Hiding spots.

**When**:
- Numerous visits.
- New Year’s Eve.
- Changes at home.

## The "anti-dangers" calendar

### Beginning of December

- Tree set up properly.
- Safe decorations.
- Toxic foods hidden.

### During holidays

- Vigilance.
- Safe room available.
- Routine maintained.

### New Year’s Eve

- Fireworks strategy.
- Calmness.

### End of holidays

- Cat decompression.
- Normal routine.

## Emergency numbers

**Pet Poison Control Centers**:
- **CAV Milan**: 348 0166666.
- **CAV Pavia**: 0382 24444.

**24/7 Veterinarian**:
- Number saved in your contacts.

## Typical stories

**Dramatic story**:
- Cat eats raisins from panettone.
- Acute kidney failure.
- 5 days of veterinary therapy.

**Avoided story**:
- Family knows the dangers.
- Food hidden.
- Tree secured.
- Cat relaxed.

## Myths to debunk

**Myth 1**: "Cats are careful, they avoid dangers".
**False**: curiosity prevails.

**Myth 2**: "Poinsettias are not dangerous".
**False**: they are toxic.

**Myth 3**: "Metal wire is fine".
**False**: fatal obstruction.

**Myth 4**: "Only New Year’s Eve is a problem".
**False**: all of December.

## The truth

**Christmas** is a time of **increased dangers** for cats.

**The 10 dangers**:
1. Tree.
2. Lights.
3. Ornaments.
4. Toxic foods.
5. Toxic plants.
6. Candles.
7. Gifts (ribbons, paper).
8. Visits from strangers.
9. Fireworks (New Year’s Eve).
10. Temperatures.

**Prevention**:
- Safe tree.
- Hidden food.
- Non-toxic plants.
- Safe room.

**Investment**: a few changes, total prevention.

**Benefit**: cat alive, healthy, calm.

Celebrate the holidays with joy. Without fear for your cat.