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How Safe is your Cat from your Christmas Tree?

I don’t know about you, but I start getting excited to put up my Christmas tree around Halloween, but I somehow manage to restrain myself until after Thanksgiving. One thing I almost never think about is how deadly my Christmas tree potentially is to my pets. Thankfully, the internet exists and is filled with lots of great pet care resources so we can learn all these important safety tips before anybody gets hurt. Phew!

These 5 tips for a pet-safe Christmas tree were a real eye opener for me. For instance, did you know that if you’ve got a live tree standing in water, you must make sure that your cat or dog can’t get into the water because the tree is preserved with toxic chemicals that seep into the water?

And so much for tinsel on the tree. Tinsel can cause severe damage if swallowed by pets. This news will make my husband happy because he hates tinsel, not because he wants pets to swallow it!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, so let’s make sure it isn’t a tragic time. Be sure to check out the full infographic here and then let us know in the comments if any surprised you! Is there anything you think the list is missing? How safe is YOUR cat from your Christmas tree?

Is Your Cat Happy and Healthy?

Living with a pet is a huge happiness booster for the pet owner as well as having several health benefits, but how can you tell how your cat feels? Is your cat happy and healthy, too?

There are a few simple steps you can take to ensure your cat’s well-being. First, lay the groundwork when they are kittens by spending lots of time playing with them. When you spend time getting to know your kitten’s personality and preferences, you can be sure that you’re setting them up for a long, healthy and happy life.

Also, don’t skip important vet checkups and immunizations so they’ll grow into happy, loving cats.

Sometimes, like when you’ve adopted an older cat (which you should seriously consider!), you don’t have a say in what happens when to your cat as a kitten. Look for signs that your cat is expressing happiness and love, signs like purring or bringing you a ‘present’. Sharing their prey with you is actually a true sign of affection!

Does it ever seem that your cat wants to be right on top of your hands or lap when you’re on your computer? This, too, is a way of expressing their love for you and their desire for your attention, even if it can be a pain in the neck for you.

Finally, why not use this checklist before visiting the vet to make sure your cat is getting the attentive care they deserve?

For more, please check out these 10 tips for a happy and healthy kitten. Make sure to check out these 6 ways your cat shows you that they are happy members of your family.

In what ways does your cat show you that she is happy and healthy?

Giving Back to Our Pets

Now that the holidays are upon us, thoughts turn to shopping and finding the perfect gifts for our loved ones. Is your pet on your shopping list this year?

Because pets have become such an integral part of our lives and families, studies show that most pet parents give their furry friends some kind of gift at Christmas. With all the love and devotion we get from them throughout the year, giving back to our pets at Christmastime just feels right. Toys are the most popular gifts, but bedding, collars and leashes, and grooming products made the list, too. Take a look:

MyThreeCats.com offers a huge selection of wonderful gifts for your cat, as well as the cat lovers in your life. And right now, we’ve got a little something extra for you – when you place an order by December 31, 2014, we’ll include a FREE catnip toy for your kitty. Some might call that a win-win!

So, tell us: will you be giving your pets a gift this Christmas?

Is a Senior Cat Right for Your Family?

It’s Adopt A Senior Pet Month! Did you know that senior cats can actually be the PERFECT pet for busy households? Bringing a young pet into your home can be a ton of work with kids, work, and all the fun activities and running around. But having a sweet pet that is already potty trained and is the best napping buddy can be a dream come true.

Adopting an older pet also gives families the benefit of knowing your cat’s personality is already developed. Quickly, your family will know if a cat is the right fit for your home and lifestyle, if he will get along well with your kids and how much canoodling he can take. This is great news, because another benefit is that pets can really help develop your children’s sense of responsibility and self-esteem! But, just because your new pet already has a fully developed sense of self, don’t think he can’t learn new things. In fact, he might adapt his behavior with new training faster than young cats, due to his cognitive development.

So before writing off older pets, try meeting a few. You might fall in love!

Check out PetMD’s slideshow to read all the fabulous reasons you should adopt a senior cat and tell us in the comments, would you ever considering adopting a senior pet?

Thanksgiving Safety Tips for Cats

Although celebrating Thanksgiving is a wonderful experience for us humans, it can be a very stressful time for our pets. All of the hustle and bustle of a house full of strangers, not to mention all that yummy food, can create an environment that causes pets to become agitated, scared, and even sick.

So what can we do to make sure that our pets remain healthy and happy as we celebrate the holidays?

One great idea for cats is to create a peaceful sanctuary where your kitties can hang out while the rest of the house is filled with guests. A quiet guest room with a door, equipped with your cat’s food, litter box, and maybe even a few toys, will provide a safe place for him to chill out until everyone goes home.

For more ideas, check out this article filled with other helpful hints for keeping kitty safe this Thanksgiving.

Do you have any suggestions for calming a nervous cat during the holidays? Share them in a comment below!