Cats are perfectly designed. From tail to whiskers, each part of a cat has multiple jobs to perform. Cats are compact and streamlined—perfect hunting machines. They are Nature’s Masterpieces—built for perfection.

Keep people food out of reach! Many of the foods and drink we feast on during the holidays are toxic to cats and dogs. In addition to spices such as onion, garlic and sodium, fatty foods, chocolate and other people food can cause our animal companions serious health issues.

Buy safe toys. The toy should be large enough to ensure that your pamered feline cannot swallow it. Toys should not have any sharp edges and your cat should not be able to dismember and swallow the pieces. Place toys with strings and wires out of reach of cats when there is no one around to supervise.

Toxic Xmas Holiday plants include: Mistletoe, Poinsettia, Holly, bittersweet, Boxwood, Jerusalem Cherry and Christmas trees. Some of these plants will kill if ingested, others cause painful intestinal upsets. Pine needles are toxic and can pierce intestines and cause other injuries. Always monitor your cats around these festive holiday plants or play it safe with fake!

Instead of surprise gifting a friend or loved one with a cat, take them to the shelter or breeder so that your friend can meet and choose the cat they connect with. Choosing a companion cat is a personal experience—a bonding between person and cat.

Place litter boxes in areas where cats will not feel they can be trapped. Ideal litter box spots allow cats to see any potential threats and easily escape. Closets, cabinets and most bathrooms are bad places for boxes since cats can potentially be cornered.

Toss out the laser pointers and laser toys! In addition to being harmful to eyes, laser pointers and laser toys frustrate cats since they can never catch the elusive dot of light. Cats need the satisfaction of feeling their “catch” beneath their paws.

Convert outside cats into happy, healthier indoor cats. Make the indoors more fun than outside. Interactive toys, high places to climb, warm places to nap, yummy cat food, plenty of scratching posts, regular play and clicker training will help convince your cat that living inside 24/7 is preferable to the cold, wet outdoors.

Even a weekend can be too long alone. In addition to fresh food and water, litter boxes need to be scooped on a daily basis. And, most cats enjoy company. Find a friend or hire a cat sitter to check on them at least once a day while you are away enjoying your holiday.