As you turn your home into a winter wonderland this season, cat-friendly holiday decorations are essential for keeping your curious feline safe and happy. Just like cozying up with your cat during the holidays, it's about creating joyful moments in a space where they can explore without risk.
Whether you’re decorating your home in San Diego, CA, your apartment in Minneapolis, MN, or your rental home in Nashville, TN, this guide offers tips and inspiration to help you craft the perfect cat-proof space during the holidays, ensuring your celebrations are both special and safe for you and your kitty.
1. Safeguard your festive decor from playful paws
Curious cats and holiday decorations can be a tricky combination. From climbing the tree to swatting at ornaments, cats are naturally drawn to the shiny, new additions to your home. To avoid mishaps, consider using cat-friendly holiday decorations that are safe and secure while still bringing festive cheer to your space. It's important to take steps that discourage your feline from causing any trouble.
Secure your large decorations
Connecticut-based pet photographer, Lovelee Paws, shares some important tips to keep in mind as you begin decorating. “Remember to pet-proof your home for the holidays when decorating. Avoid big, dangly things or anything that hangs. Secure your larger decorations—yes, your tree counts—to the wall and floors if possible. Lastly, try to minimize shiny or flashy objects— especially important kitty owners—to reduce the temptation to play with them, especially if they’re small enough to be a choking hazard. Simple is better when it comes to decorating a pet-friendly home for the holidays.”
Swap out fragile items for cat-friendly holiday decorations
Protecting the smaller decorations is just as important as safeguarding the larger ones, especially when curious pets are around. NALA’S Pet Closet, an online pet store, offers their personal tips. “Deck the halls with pet-friendly cheer and swap out glass ornaments for shatterproof ones. Keep the sparkly stuff higher up—because curious paws love a good climb. Skip the tinsel and go for pet-safe, chew-proof decorations instead. Battery-powered candles bring a warm glow without the risk of singed whiskers. And for a final festive touch, use natural goodies like pinecones and pet-safe plants, so your decor is as safe as it is merry.”
Modern Space Living echoes this sentiment, focusing on the importance of cat-friendly holiday decorations, specifically ornaments, which are often a target for playful felines. “Make your holiday decor cat-friendly by using soft, fabric ornaments and avoiding small, breakable items that pets might chew. Consider placing decorations out of reach, and choose cat-friendly alternatives to traditional holiday plants, like faux holly or pet-safe herbs, to keep both your space and your pets safe and festive.”
Hawaii Cat Cafe in Honolulu, HI, offers their expertise on the topic with a specific warning about strings and ribbons. “To keep your pets safe while decorating this season, we recommend being mindful of keeping anything stringy, like pieces of ribbon, out of your pet’s paws. If ingested, string or similar items can require surgical intervention.”
Overall, It’s best to tailor your holiday decorations to your cat’s habits and instincts. Pawfect Photo Moments, based in Colorado Springs, CO, sums it up best. “For cats, opt for unbreakable ornaments and lights, non-tearable gift wrap, and a shorter tree (or no tree at all) if they’re climbers. Avoid small decorations, small children's toys with tiny parts, confetti, or anything that could be a choking hazard. The key is to think about what your pet loves to chew or play with, and keep potentially dangerous items out of reach or set aside in a safe place.”
Skip the tree and explore creative options
A tree is often the centerpiece of holiday décor, especially for Christmas, but it can quickly become a playground for adventurous cats. Mew Haven Cat Cafe in New Haven, CT, understands that in a room full of curious felines, sometimes forgoing the tree altogether is the safest option. However, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the festive spirit—they’ve found clever ways to celebrate without compromising on holiday cheer.
“Keeping holiday decorations intact and safe from adventurous kitties can feel like a full-time job. At the cat cafe, we use shatterproof ornaments and place them high up, safely out of paw’s reach. Avoid any materials that could be dangerous if ingested, like tinsel or paper streamers. For extra security, make sure the tree is stable to prevent toppling if your cat decides to climb and investigate. Or, if you’d prefer to skip the tree, try arranging string lights on the wall in the shape of a tree for a festive, feline-friendly alternative.”
The Joy of Cats, a dedicated cat blog, shares another creative way to embrace the tree-less option. “In my home, we decided to skip putting up a Christmas tree. We hang ornaments from cabinets and hooks that are high enough to not tempt our cats. We also avoid anything with tinsel or ribbon to avoid choking hazards.”
If you can’t give up having a beautiful tree as your holiday centerpiece, then consider trading a live tree for a fake one this year. Carolyn at My Three Cats, a cat-focused ecommerce store, shares a personal perspective, “One thing that never occurred to me was how deadly my live holiday tree potentially was to my cats and dogs. Once I realized this, the fake tree won hands down. While the pine fragrance of a live tree is lovely, pine needles are mildly toxic and downright dangerous if ingested. Real trees are also preserved with toxic chemicals that make their standing water dangerous to pets.”
2. Make a safe space for your cat to relax
With all the holiday excitement, it's important to create a safe space where your cat can relax and escape the festivities. Cat-friendly holiday decorations can help minimize stress by avoiding hazards, but it's also important to have a cozy retreat ready for your cat as they can easily become stressed by changes in their environment. Setting up a quiet, cat-friendly retreat helps them feel secure and comfortable during the holiday season.
Right Meow Cat Cafe in Fuquay-Varina, NC offers expert advice, “Ensuring your home is safe for cats is essential during the holiday season. Along with avoiding the use of decorations and toxic plants that can pose serious health hazards, it’s important to minimize stress. Try to maintain your cat’s favorite spots during decorating, and provide a quiet retreat where they can escape the hustle and bustle of holiday gatherings. This way, your feline friend can enjoy the season safely and comfortably.”
KBSPETS, known for their floral cat trees, also emphasize choosing cat-friendly holiday decorations that can withstand a curious cat’s exploration and avoiding toxic plants. Even with all the precautions in place, cats being cats will still find a way to play with your cat-friendly holiday decorations. Consider investing in the Hexaflora cat tree, a plush and sturdy design that can double as a mini Christmas tree. With cozy 'petal' perches perfect for lounging, this will be your cat's ideal retreat during the holidays. They'll have their own festive climbing spot to relax in, leaving fragile decorations safe from swats and paws.
Outdoor Bengal, an online store of products and services for adventure cat training, agrees with providing a cat tree for your kitty. Not only does it provide a space for your cat to enjoy but it helps prevent any accidents as well. “To keep your cat from climbing the Christmas tree, try offering a more exciting alternative. Place a cat tree near the Christmas tree as a substitute. It’s more important that the alternative is as engaging as the Christmas tree itself adding toys or catnip.”
3. Avoid toxic plants and fragrances this holiday season
When decorating for the holidays, it’s easy to put out the first gingerbread-scented candle or festive plant to set the mood, but it’s important to consider your cat’s safety. Many holiday plants and fragrances can be toxic to cats. By choosing cat-friendly holiday decorations, you can still create a cozy, festive atmosphere without worrying about your feline friend’s health.
Choose cat-friendly plants
When it comes to cat-friendly holiday decorations, Terri J Photography suggests a practical approach, “When planning your decorations, consider your pets’ safety by avoiding traditional holiday plants like poinsettias, mistletoe, and holly. Faux greenery is a great alternative, offering less mess and lasting longer. Pine branches are also beautiful and bring that welcoming Christmas aroma into your home.”
Jersey Cat Cafe adds, “Traditional holiday plants can be dangerous to pets, so why risk a trip to the vet? Opt for a classic pine tree instead of holly or consider faux plants that are safer and simpler to manage. Your purrfect fur babies will be sure to enjoy the holidays alongside their fur family all season long.”
Limit essential oil risks
Sweet Harvest Farms, an online shop for organic bath and body products, knows the importance of being pet friendly. They offer their personal advice when inviting essential oils into your home. “Many skin-safe essential oils, including Cinnamon, Citrus, Clove, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Pine, Sweet Birch, Pennyroyal, Hyssop, Wintergreen, Tea Tree, Ylang Ylang, and Peppermint, can be dangerous to pets. While essential oils in diffusers can enhance the holiday atmosphere, they pose a risk if inhaled or ingested, even in small amounts. If using a diffuser or candle with essential oils, ensure it is in a well-ventilated space with airflow, and limit use. Always consult your veterinarian before using essential oils around pets to ensure their safety.”
4. Include your cat in the festivities with their own treats and toys
Cats love to imitate their owners, especially during the holidays when they see you enjoying festive treats and decorating the house. To help them feel included and avoid temptations like nibbling on human food or playing with delicate decorations, offer treats, toys, and even cat-friendly holiday decorations of their own. This way, they can join in the festive fun without getting into trouble.
Plan holiday treats your cat can safely enjoy
Meow Cat Lounge in Westbrooke, ME, encourages pet owners to make thoughtful plans for their cats during the holidays. “Plan ahead to include your cats. Keep their favorite cat treats on hand for the holidays. If you’re eager to share human treats, some small pieces of boneless, cooked, lean turkey or chicken also make for a healthy and delicious treat. If someone does feed them cooked chicken or turkey, make sure there's no garlic used.”
Create fun playtime distractions
At Catfé Montclair, located in Montclair, NJ, they know that holiday decor and curious cats can be a handful. They share their expertise on how to keep the holidays festive and feline-friendly. “Choose shatterproof ornaments and hang them high, out of reach from swatting paws. Skip the tinsel (it’s just too tempting), and go for flameless candles to avoid any whisker-singeing surprises. Pet-safe plants are the way to go, so no poinsettias. A few cozy nooks and extra toys will keep your cats too busy purring to ‘help’ redecorate.”
Keeping your cats entertained with their own toys and cozy spots makes all the difference. By providing plenty of cat-friendly distractions like scratching posts, interactive toys, or comfy beds, you can keep them engaged and away from your holiday decorations.
Cat-friendly holiday decorations for a safe and festive season
As you decorate for the holidays, remember that creating a festive, safe environment for both you and your cat is essential. By taking a few simple precautions like securing decorations, choosing cat-friendly plants and scents, and providing your feline friend with their own space and treats—you can ensure that the holiday season is filled with joy for everyone in your home. Happy holidays to you and your furry friend.