The festive season is a time of warmth, celebration, and decorating our homes with beautiful, shiny things… which, to your cat, look like toys, climbing frames, and hunting targets.
It’s completely normal for cats to be curious during the holidays, but with that curiosity comes a few risks. Knowing what to avoid – and how to set your home up safely – can help prevent accidents and keep your cat feeling calm and confident.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the most common Christmas hazards for cats and give you simple, cat-friendly ways to avoid them.
1. Christmas Trees: Climbing Hazards & Tempting Toys
Cats naturally climb, explore height, and chase movement – which makes the Christmas tree the ultimate cat magnet.
Risks:
Tree tipping over
Needle ingestion
Chewing branches or lights
Playing with ornaments
How to Keep Your Cat Safe:
Use a sturdy, weighted base so the tree can’t topple.
Secure it to the wall using fishing line or clear ties.
Skip tinsel and dangling decorations on low branches – they mimic prey and can be dangerous if swallowed.
Place fragile ornaments high up and keep soft or wooden ornaments low.
Let your cat explore the tree before decorating so the novelty wears off.
2. Tinsel, Ribbon, and String Decorations
Long, shiny, string-like objects trigger your cat’s natural hunting instincts. Unfortunately, if swallowed they can cause serious digestive issues.
Avoid:
Tinsel
Ribbon on gifts
Loose string
Beads and garlands
Safer Alternatives:
Paper ribbon
Felt garlands
Wooden or fabric ornaments
Soft decorations that don’t fray
If you must use ribbon or tinsel, keep it firmly attached and completely out of reach.
3. Fairy Lights & Electrical Cords
Lights twinkle, move, and warm up – all irresistible to curious cats.
Hazards:
Chewing electrical cords
Getting tangled
Burns from older lights
Safety Tips:
Use cord protectors or cable covers.
Keep lights off lower branches.
Unplug lights when you’re asleep or out.
Spray cords lightly with safe bitter-tasting deterrent (never on the cat).
4. Festive Foods Cats Should Avoid
Holiday meals include many foods that are unsafe for cats.
Toxic or Unsafe:
Onions & garlic (including gravy, stuffing)
Chocolate
Raisins and grapes
Alcohol sauces
Cooked bones
Rich, fatty foods
Safe Treat Ideas:
Small portions of plain cooked chicken (no seasoning)
A lick of plain yoghurt
Cat-safe treats or chew toys
A small sprinkle of catnip
5. Visitors, Noise & Routine Changes
The holidays often mean more people, more noise, and less routine – all of which can be stressful for cats.
Signs of Stress:
Hiding more
Hesitating to use the litterbox
Eating less
Grooming more than usual
Avoiding interaction
How to Support a Calm Cat:
Set up a quiet, cat-only room with their bed, litterbox, food, and hiding places.
Use vertical spaces like shelves or cat trees to give them control.
Allow your cat to choose when (or if) they interact with guests.
Keep feeding and play routines as consistent as possible.
Offer scent-based comfort: bedding, blankets, or a worn T-shirt that smells like home.
6. Wrapping Paper, Boxes & Holiday Gifts
Not all hazards are bad! Some holiday items are brilliant enrichment when used safely.
Safe Festive Enrichment Ideas:
A box “maze”
Paper bags
Crumpled wrapping paper for batting
Puzzle feeders
Treat trails hidden in cardboard
These give your cat an outlet for their festive energy and help reduce unwanted behaviour with the tree.
