Holiday Safety - Vet in Arlington Heights

Keep cats safe this winter

Outdoor cats are susceptible to frostbite on their ears, tails and paws. Please keep cats indoors, especially in the winter.
Antifreeze is toxic to cats and dogs. As little as a teaspoon of antifreeze can be fatal to cats. It’s best to keep cats away from any antifreeze containers and spills.
Cats may crawl under a car hood looking for warmth. If you park your car outside or in a garage your cat can access, thump on the hood or honk your horn before starting your car.

Cats may not appreciate the commotion of visitors during the holiday season. If necessary, seclude your cat during gatherings for their peace of mind.
Ensure that your cat cannot access your visitors’ coats, bags and purses. These items often contain candy, cosmetics and medication, all of which can be toxic to cats.
Medications, including marijuana, over-the-counter medicines and prescription medications can be toxic to cats. Make sure cats don’t have access to them.

All cats should be properly identified with collar tags with their name and their owner’s address and phone number. All pets should also be microchipped. Proper identification can help quickly reunite a lost cat with its owner. Keep your contact information up-to-date with the microchip company.

Wrapping paper, bows and ribbons can cause obstruction and require surgery to remove. Keep all wrappings out of the reach of cats, especially kittens.
Keep tree water covered. Tree sap and chemicals used to keep trees fresh can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Holiday plants can cause upset stomachs or even lead to death. Please keep plants out of reach or spray them with a bitter tasting liquid, available at most pet stores. Amaryllis, azalea, boxwood, Christmas cactus, chrysanthemum, holly, mums, mistletoe and paper whites/daffodils are all toxic to cats. Although poinsettias can cause stomach upset, they are not as toxic as is commonly believed.
Lilies are especially toxic to cats. In fact, lilies are so toxic to cats that veterinarians recommend that they not be allowed in homes with cats.
Popular holiday decorations such as ornaments, tinsel and strings of light can lead to trouble for cats. Keep such decorations out of the reach of your cat.
Liquid potpourri is toxic to cats and should also be kept out of reach.

Holiday meals are fine for humans but overindulgence may cause vomiting and diarrhea in your cat. Please refrain from feeding your cat human foods. Garlic, onions, grapes, raisins and chocolate are among the foods toxic to cats. It’s always best to keep your cats (and dogs) on their usual diet. If you want to give them a special treat, consider a new toy or a pet-specific treat. Check online for a full list of toxic foods.
Keep your garbage secure and out of the reach of your pets. If cats ingest string or bones, they can get caught in the intestinal tract and have to be removed surgically.
Alcohol is toxic to cats and should be kept out of the reach of all pets.