If you own a cat, safety is a continuous and daily commitment that you make as its owner. During the holidays as our schedule becomes busier, strangers (to your cat) come into your home, and as we are required to multi-task more, some safety precautions may fall by the wayside.

Don't let your cat become a statistic. The following 4 suggestions will help make sure you and your cat have a great holiday. Avoid Holiday Plants
Mistletoe and Poinsettias are 2 favorite holiday plants that many people bring into their homes for the holidays. Keeping these popular seasonal plants totally out of your home is best. They are both toxic-the Mistletoe more than the Poinsettias, but don't take a chance with either of them.

Clear Away Small Toys
If you are having small children as visitors during the holidays that will bring small toys such as beads, marbles, small game board pieces, make sure your cat is confined to another room or the cage in the same room so it remains safe but feels included in the gathering.

Warn children not to feed the cat anything unless you give them permission. After the children have gone, make sure all small pieces that could possibly cause choking have been cleared away before allowing your get to run free again.

Keep Away from People Food
Holiday parties contain a lot of food that is great for people but toxic for cats. Remember your cat can climb to unbelievable heights so make sure that foods that are toxic to cats such as chocolate, tomatoes, green potatoes, garlic, grapes and raisins are contained in pet proof containers.

To avoid any possibility of your cat ingesting these foods from the table at a party, or having an unknowing guest feed these foods to your cat, put your cat in his cage with a favorite toy in a room well away from the party, and ask guests who know you have a cat not to go into the room.

Avoid Electrical Hazards
Try to keep the use of electrical cords to a minimum as they are a hazard not only because of electrocution but for choking. Many times they are seen as a new toy to your cat who may be tempted to swat at (and knock over) decorations, chew, or pull-none of which are good.

Heavy plastic tubing is a great way to protect cords from a cat who might want to chew or claw at them. These can be purchased inexpensively from most hardware stores and are cheap insurance for your cat's safety and your peace of mind.

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