Holidays Information

Three Steps to Reduce Holiday Stress for Your Kitty


The annual holidays can be a very stressful time for your cat. This is the time of the year when that strange tree goes up, bright trinkets are hung (but all your cat hears is "No, no, bad kitty!" when she tries to explore them), delicious food is prepared (cats need not apply to eat it!), and lots of strange people come tramping into the house.

Some cats are in their glory, being in the middle of the tree decoration tradition, while others react to differences in the household by cowering in fear. Plus, if the holidays stress you out (raise your hand if they don't; the rest of us would like to know your secret), it'll be communicated to kitty, and she may react in kind. And sometimes that fear and stress manifests itself in your cat urinating outside her litter box.

Here are three steps you can do to reduce holiday stress for your cat.

First, keep the household changes to a minimum. Think about where you might put the Christmas tree. If you put the tree in a place that normally belongs to kitty, she could be mighty upset with you. Her reaction could range from hiding for days to urinating underneath the tree, if not trying to pull it down. Look for a location that pleases both the human and animal population in your house. If that's not possible, and knowing how cats can be, you'll have to settle for pleasing one or the other. My bet is it's whoever pays the bills.

My cat Scout thinks the Christmas tree is a new litter box location. She'll urinate on the tree cover. That's a treat to clean! I have to keep a plastic liner under the tree to facilitate the clean up. I make double certain to keep all the litter boxes clean, but she feels a need to express herself creatively at this time of the year. It's her way to contributing to the tree decorating tradition.

Next, if you own a scaredy kitty, confine her to a safe room when hosting holiday events in your home. If possible, confine your kitty in a place that guests won't stumble in. Put her food, water, and a clean litter box in the room. Stop in from time to time to reassure her that it's alright. If there aren't adequate hiding spots in her room, think about putting a box or large paper bag in with her, and encourage her to burrow in it.

Finally, purchase some natural flower essence compounds to put in her food or water all during the holiday season. There are several good remedies that are recommended for situational stress. Add a few drops in kitty's food or water twice a day, and you'll see results within 24 hours. Flowering essences are also safe for human consumption, so if you're contemplating a fall into insanity, take a few drops yourself!

You can also purchase synthetic hormone substances that come pre-packaged in a bottle that plugs into any electrical outlet in your home. This remedy lasts approximately a month.

Good luck, and happy holidays to you and your family - humans and animals!

About The Author

Nancy E. Wigal

www.cat-urine-odor-advisor.com

nancy@cat-urine-odor-advisor.com

I'm a cat lover who has had cats since childhood. Quite a few of these wonderful creatures are available for adoption because they don't use the litter box, and the previous owner has grown frustrated trying to solve the inappropriate elimination problem.

I have one of those cats, and I've successfully discovered the reasons why she wouldn't use her box. I created the Cat Urine Odor Advisor to help cat owners understand the materials, solutions, and resources that work together to eliminate cat urine odor from their homes.


MORE RESOURCES:

FASTSIGNS(R) News: Greet the Holidays With Signs and Graphics
MarketWatch - Nov 21, 2008
Despite the weakened economy, throughout stores, businesses, schools and churches, signs and graphics are everywhere, generating excitement for the holiday ...


Expanded train service offered for holidays in NJ
Newsday, NY - 5 hours ago
NEWARK, NJ - New Jersey rail travelers will have more options than usual over the Thanksgiving holiday. NJ Transit is offering expanded early getaway ...


Straits Times

Kohl's to Offer Wider Price Cuts For Holidays
Wall Street Journal - Nov 19, 2008
Associated Press Last year on Black Friday, the kickoff of the holiday shopping season, the retailer didn't cut prices on its most expensive, ...
Kohl's to offer wider price cuts for holidays- WSJ Reuters
colorado voices Be apart of Christmas Denver Post
Brown: Maybe this year we should skip Thanksgiving Daily News Tribune
WCTV - Daytona Beach News-Journal
all 430 news articles


Montauk lighthouse brighter for the holidays
Newsday, NY - 15 hours ago
Almost 3000 small white bulbs will be mounted on the 110-foot tower and adjacent keepers' quarters, outlining the structures for the holidays. ...


Holidays Won’t Bring Much Cheer for Retailers
Wall Street Journal Blogs, NY - Nov 21, 2008
The low point coming squarely within the holiday season will mean a particularly brutal period for retailers, a new Conference Board survey shows. ...


Investment Firm President Encourages Charitable Giving During the ...
MarketWatch - Nov 21, 2008
Heifer International -- Since 1995, FBB has given its clients an "Ark" from Heifer International each holiday season. This Gift Ark donates 15 pairs of ...


Expect Wii Shortage for Holidays, Gamestop Says
PC World - 1 hour ago
Wii shortages during the holiday season are nothing new, having occurred for the past two years, but nevertheless the trend is expected to continue again ...


How to help during the holidays
Detroit Free Press, United States - 4 hours ago
Give the gift of food or time to those who are in need. Please see the list below for Detroit area organizations that are in need of support. ...


Los Gatos groups stress need for holiday volunteers
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - 22 hours ago
The traditions of the Thanksgiving holiday go back centuries. However, its roots are not only in the big, juicy turkeys we serve each year; the holiday's ...


Crain's Chicago Business

Holidays — and then some
Crain's Chicago Business, IL - 2 hours ago
When she married a Serbian man, she extended her holiday season: After her family's celebrations on Dec. 24 and 25 are his family's events on Jan. ...
Your holiday survival guide Knoxville News Sentinel
all 2 news articles

Holidays - Google News

home | site map
© 2006