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You are here: Home / Kitty Wisdom / 7 Surprising Holiday Items That Are Dangerous to Cats

7 Surprising Holiday Items That Are Dangerous to Cats

November 29, 2022 By: Summer Samba9 Comments

Some holiday dangers aren't obvious, and Summer has listed 7 that could potentially harm cats, plus suggestions on what to do.

The holidays can be a fun, joyful time (or at least, they are supposed to be!). But they can also be a treacherous time for cats. Many dangers have been covered extensively. I’m sure you all know better than to decorate with tinsel or angel hair, to watch your cords and lights, and take care where you hang your glass ornaments. But there are some unexpected and surprising holiday items that are dangerous to your cat. Things you may not have thought about. So I will mention a few of them here.

  1. The most toxic holiday plants.
    One plant that people don’t realize is dangerous is mistletoe, and the stores sell it in droves during this season. Holly too, especially the berries. If your cat ingested enough of these, it could kill them. So please, only decorate with fake versions of these plants.

    Other toxic plants include Amaryllis and Paperwhites, and of course, Lilies should never, ever come near your cat. Although Poinsettias are frequently mentioned as toxic, they aren’t as harmful as the above plants. Still, they shouldn’t share your home with your cat.

  2. Christmas tree dangers.
    Cut Christmas trees can pose several dangers. They might be treated with preservatives or fire retardants that could poison your cat. The water you use to keep your tree fresh is another danger, and full of potential toxins if your cat laps at it. Make sure to cover up the water source so your cat can’t get it. The sharp needles, too, can harm your cat’s digestive system if ingested. Artificial trees are generally much safer, but it’s best to monitor your cat around them if they are something new to them.
     
  3. Homemade dough ornaments.
    If you have kids (or were one once), you probably know all about making fun ornaments with flour, salt and water. It was one of my human’s favorite holiday crafts as a child. But they could also cause sodium poisoning if your cat happens to eat any part of them. Enjoy them, but make sure to keep them away from your cat.
     
  4. Snow globes.
    Those enchanting globes with the delightful winter scenes and snow floating through a thick liquid? They can kill your cat. That liquid is ethylene glycol, which is antifreeze, and if the globe breaks and your cat licks or steps in the liquid — or even gets it on their fur — it’s an emergency. Antifreeze kills cats every year. Don’t bring it in your house in the form of snow globes. My human owns a few and is getting rid of all of them.
     
  5. Liquid and dry potpourri, and essential oils.
    So many potpourri ingredients and essential oils are harmful to cats that it almost goes without saying, you should skip these altogether.
     
  6. Cooking twine.
    If you are roasting a turkey or some fancy cut of meat this holiday season, make sure you immediately dispose of the twine you used on it as soon as you’re done cooking. There is nothing tastier to a cat than these meat-flavored strings, and like tinsel, they could cause potentially fatal intestinal damage if swallowed.

    And of course you know to keep cooked bones away from your cat already, right? Along with popular ingredients like onions and garlic. There are so many hot dishes and toxic-to-cats foods in the kitchen during the holidays, it’s best to keep your cat closed up in another part of the house when the kitchen is its busiest.

  7. Candles
    And you do know never to keep lighted candles around your cat, I’m sure. My human has pretty candles with fake flames that she and her boyfriend frequently enjoy.

There are a lot more items that are dangerous to cats during the holidays. But the ones above you may not have considered — or, as with candles, may not have thought of a solution. I hope this list helps, and that you and your kitties stay safe through the holidays.

If you can think of any other unusual items that could pose a seasonal danger to cats, do mention them in the comments.

Other posts you’ll enjoy:

  • 9 Christmas Truths About Cats
  • Cat Rules for the Holidays
  • A Fun Christmas for Your Cat? Here Are 9 Tips!
7 Surprising Holiday Items That Are Dangerous to Cats
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Comments

  1. BellaDharma an BellaSita Mum says

    December 1, 2022 at 3:59 pm

    Hello Summer! BellaSita Mum here! Excellent post!
    I knew all of the dangers except for the snow globes! I seriously thought it was just water.
    I have iven away every ornament & no longer even have a tabletop tree.
    I have 1 snow globe. It is a Moose with a string of lights entwined around his Antlers….
    It is now safely on a shelf that is is enclosed. Thank you for these timely tops!
    {{{hugs}}} BellaSita Mum an ***purrss*** BellaDharma

    Reply
  2. Katie Isabella says

    December 1, 2022 at 5:20 am

    There was one on there I never knew about!!!

    Reply
  3. Indulgedfurries says

    November 30, 2022 at 8:21 pm

    Great list, Summer. I have no worries about poinsettias. Their supposed danger is highly overrated.

    I’ve found another real danger is inexpensive cat toys, especially the ones that often come in the 10-pack of toys in a clear plastic stocking. Some of them have string wound around a ball or other string-like items that come apart very easily.

    Reply
  4. Melissa & Mudpie says

    November 30, 2022 at 3:26 pm

    Very important reminders! I only have one extra special snow globe and it’s waaaay up out of any kitty’s reach.

    Reply
  5. Memories of Eric and Flynn says

    November 30, 2022 at 12:56 pm

    It is always good to have a reminder.

    Reply
  6. Cathy Keisha says

    November 30, 2022 at 11:13 am

    Artificial trees can be dangerous also. Some contain the same fire retardants as the real ones along with formaldahyde and other chemical treatments. Swallowing the “needles” can also cause blockages. They’re prolly easier to knock down since there’s no water in the bottom to weigh it down. This is our first year with a fake tree so we’ll see how it goes.

    Reply
  7. Catherine Lingg says

    November 30, 2022 at 8:53 am

    I knew most but thank you for this very helpful blog. You may save a life Sunmer

    Reply
  8. PAT K says

    November 30, 2022 at 6:54 am

    I did know several of these but not all. Reminders are always helpful
    too. Love the dress it’s a classic style with the fabric mix.

    Reply
  9. Meezer'sMews&TerrieristicalWoofs says

    November 29, 2022 at 11:59 pm

    Good advice, and we are sure a lot of that applies to us pups, too.

    Reply

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