Christmas treats for cats: Edgewood Vet’s top three
December 21, 2018
Cats may not quite understand the meaning of Christmas… but this doesn’t mean they can’t be involved. It’s also the perfect occasion for you to thank your pet for their continued companionship.
Of course, that raises the question of finding a suitable festive gift for your cat – so we’ve got a few ideas for you.
Plus, winter can be a testing time for pets and their owners, so make sure you get in touch with any concerns. We’re here to help with any worries you may have, whether behavioural (try asking our vet nurse Caroline) or medical (ask for an appointment with our vet Jürgen).
Our three best gift ideas for cats…
- Festive food treats
Cats tend to love cooked turkey or chicken, tinned tuna and other lean meats and fish – as well as packaged treats. If your cat is a healthy weight, occasional extras shouldn’t do any harm. Simply try to make sure they don’t exceed 10% of your cat’s daily calories. An adult cat of 5kg needs around 290 calories each day, so 30 calories of treats (within the 290kcal) is absolutely fine. Make sure you read labels carefully – or weigh food and treats, then look up their nutritional value online. - Games
Depending on how much space you have, items such as activity boards and cat climbing frames can help your cat exercise both their body and their brain. You can also get creative with blowing bubbles, tying toys to a piece of string to swing in front of your cat, a simple cardboard box, or even your tablet (some apps are designed especially for cats). It might even stop them getting into mischief around Purleigh… - New bedding or hiding place
If your cat enjoys cosy spaces, you could see how they get on with a different style of bed, such as a ‘pet teepee’ or ‘pet yurt’ – or a hooded ‘cat cave’ that’s snuggly inside. You can also buy beds designed to be hung from furniture (or even radiators), dependent on your cat’s preferred place to rest. If they seem hesitant at first, perhaps place a favourite toy or blanket inside, to show them that this new object is intended for their use.
We’d love to see your cat enjoying their Christmas gift, so why not post a few pictures on our Facebook page?
