Cats Just Want to Have Fun!

signed, No Name Kitty

Dear No Name,
With pleasure, I write. . .OK all you cat owners, read on! No Name is not alone. With all the hustle-bustle of the holidays, it's easy to unintentionally neglect our companion pets. First of all, some of the seasonal plants such as poinsettias are poisonous. Many decorations are potentially hazardous. It's a lot to ask your pet to stay away from dangling tinsel, flashing lights, electric cords and ornaments. A fresh tree indoors is irresistible to both cats and dogs. It's just not fair to expect them to stay away from these. It's like leaving a glass full of ice-cold water in a room with a person who has just jogged 3 miles in the Mojave Desert and saying, "Don't touch." Let's be realistic! Prevention is the best measure here. It can save you the headache of constant redecorating and possible heartache should your pet be injured. It will also save your pet from frustration and unpleasant reprimands. If you cannot trust your pet in a room full of holiday trimmings, then lock them out. But at the same time, it is essential that you take time out to play with, exercise, train and give special attention to your pets. Schedule at least two, 20 minute sessions a day to give your pet your undivided attention. Unplug the telephone, turn off the TV and get on the floor with your pet. Make this special time fun and active. You should be a major part of this energy-venting session. If you aren't, they will find ways to entertain themselves when you are not at home. These unsupervised activities could have disastrous results. A well exercised and happy pet will contentedly sleep the day away while you are busy tending to holiday activities. From the Cat's Point of View contains chapters that explain and illustrate safe but effective booby traps you can use to train your cat to stay away from specific places.