Christmas is just around the corner, and for many people a lovingly decorated Christmas tree is a must. But if you have a cat at home, you probably know that such a tree not only brings a festive atmosphere, but also a challenge. Sparkling baubles, dangling fairy lights and the seductive scent of pine needles – for cats, it's all one big adventure. Here are a few practical tips to ensure that your Christmas tree and your furry friend survive the holidays unscathed.
Why cats love Christmas trees
Cats are naturally curious, playful and a bit chaotic. A Christmas tree seems to them like a giant scratching post full of toys. Shiny baubles and tinsel encourage them to play, the branches invite them to climb, and if the tree wobbles, the temptation is great. Some cats even try to eat the needles – which is not entirely unproblematic in terms of health.
So that the Christmas tree does not become a source of danger and you can enjoy the holidays in a relaxed manner, you should consider a few things when planning.
The safe location: the basis for peace
Choose a location that is as unfriendly to cats as possible. Do not place the tree near shelves, sofas or other pieces of furniture from which your cat could easily jump in. A freestanding tree minimizes the attack surface. If possible, you can also put the tree in a room that you can lock from time to time – especially when you are not at home.
Stability is everything
A Christmas tree that falls over is not only dangerous, it is also a real mess. Therefore, make sure that your tree is stable. A heavy, stable tree stand is a must. For additional stability, you can attach the tree to the wall or ceiling with transparent cords. This may sound strange at first, but it will save you trouble in an emergency.
Cat-safe decorations
The right decoration is the be-all and end-all. Here are a few ideas on how to make your tree safer:
- Avoid glass balls: Fragile balls should not be placed in the tree in a household with cats. Instead, opt for plastic or wooden decorations that will survive a fall unscathed.
- Avoid tinsel: As beautiful as it glitters, tinsel is dangerous for cats. If they swallow it, it can lead to intestinal problems, which in the worst case scenario may require surgery.
- Safe placement: Hang delicate decorations in the upper branches, where it is harder for your cat to reach. You can decorate the bottom with sturdy ornaments that can survive a paw check.
- Place fairy lights cleverly: Avoid placing the fairy lights too low or too loosely around the tree. Also make sure that there are no cables that your cat could chew on. A cable protector is a sensible investment here.
Be careful with plants and water
If you have a real tree, you should be careful that your cat does not chew on the needles. Pine needles can cause stomach irritation and some trees are treated with chemicals that can be toxic. The water in the tree stand is also a problem: it can contain fertilizers or resin that are harmful to cats. So cover the water tray well.
Distraction works wonders
Sometimes it helps to offer your cat alternatives to distract it from the tree. Toys, a new scratching post or a box full of surprises can work wonders. An aroma spray like the feliTATZ KatzenMinze Spray can also help distract from the Christmas tree and make old toys exciting again. This way the tree stays safe and your cat is kept busy.
Patience and humor
Let's be honest: even with the best precautions, there will probably be one or two moments when your cat and the tree clash. Take it with humor – Christmas is, after all, the festival of love. So if your cat curiously sniffs a bauble or examines a branch more closely, try to stay calm. After all, she's only doing what's natural for her.
Conclusion: Enjoy together
A Christmas tree and a cat are not mutually exclusive – with the right preparation, you can both enjoy the holiday. Pay attention to safety, be patient and plan small places of retreat for your furry friend. This way, nothing stands in the way of a harmonious Christmas – for you, your family and of course your four-legged roommate.
Merry Christmas and have fun decorating!
Amaranth is one of the oldest agricultural crops of humankind.It is not among the sweet grasses, such as normal grain varieties.It is one of the fox tail plants.This makes it to one of the pseudo-cereals.Amaranth is gluten-free and thus an excellent alternative for dogs who are fed grain free.- easily digestible- As an addition to fresh or canned meat
Content: 2 Kilogramm (€18.98 / 1 Kilogramm)
Fit-BARF BM-Yeast consists of brewers' yeast bound to malt rootlets. Brewers' yeast contains biotin, folic acid, iron, zinc, and trace elements, which have a positive influence on the condition and resistance of skin and hair. The nutrition-related regenerative capacity of individual cells can also be influenced. Malt rootlets are characterized by their content of easily digestible carbohydrates, crude fiber, and crude protein. Due to their high crude fiber content, germ buds also have a good dietary value.
Content: 0.6 Kilogramm (€18.25 / 1 Kilogramm)
The proportion of animal fat should be 15-25% in the diet of the dog and the cat should be at about 10%. If your dog or cat is fed with lean meat, it uses proteins to produce energy. In this case, wastes will be generated that need to be digested by liver and kidneys. The strain on the metabolism increases. On the long term, this can lead to congestions of the excretory organs. In case of dogs or cats that are poorly using the feed or very underweight, special attention should be paid to the fat content of the meat.
Content: 0.5 Liter (€33.90 / 1 Liter)
Brewers' yeast, as the most balanced, natural source of vitamin B, whose vitamins are present in a broken down state and can be absorbed directly, is a valuable addition to the daily diet. In addition, brewers yeast has a positive effect on the intestinal flora. Its content of phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, and manganese, as well as the trace elements cobalt, molybdenum, chromium, and selenium, provide an important contribution to demand-oriented nutrition.
Content: 0.2 Kilogramm (€54.75 / 1 Kilogramm)
Fit-BARF Cod Liver Oil is a high-value supplier for omega-3-fatty acids and vitamin D. Omega-3-fatty acid (for example linolenic acid) are polyunsaturated fatty acids, which cannot be created itselves by the body. Thus they are called essential and must be fed to the organism with the nutrition. Vitamin D is important for the builing of the bones and the regulation of the calcium balance.
Content: 0.1 Liter (€109.50 / 1 Liter)
Calcium intake, in particular, plays a major role in the feeding of raw meat. This can only be achieved by feeding sufficient bone. Not every dog can or wants to eat bones, and in the case of cats, feeding whole prey (mice or chicks) is not always problem-free either.Fit-BARF Eggshell Powder is a readily utilizable animal source of calcium for daily feeding. It provides balance when feeding raw meat by balancing the high phosphorus content of the meat with its natural calcium content. Due to the fine degree of grinding, the product has a high bioavailability.neutralization of phosphorus excess with predominant meat feedingfor bone-free feedingas an extra source of calcium in times of increased demand (growth, gestation, lactation)
Fit-BARF Feeding Oil is a mixture of high-grated cold-pressed vegetable oils. Cold-pressed, food-grade linseed oil forms the basis of this purely natural feeding oil. This admixed functional oils (evening primrose oil, wheat germ oil, pumpkin seed oil and argan oil) ensures the optimal, well-balanced maintenance with essential fatty acids. Through this combination of pure naturally ingredients Fit-BARF Feeding Oil is a high-concentrated energy source and similarly an origin of significant vital substances of selected oils in one product.
Fit-BARF Fruit is made from selected ingredients to enable a well-balanced nourishment with feeding. It complements the requirement of vitamins (Niacin, Riboflavine (B2), folic acids, E, A, K, C), flavonoids (polyphenols) as well as fiber.Fit-BARF Fruit is free of grain and a healthy alternative to vegetables. It does not bring only variety, but also a balance in the BARF feeding plan. In combination with Fit-BARF MicroMineral, the basis is thus laid for healthy raw feeding.
Content: 0.1 Kilogramm (€109.50 / 1 Kilogramm)
Feed material (powder) for dogs and catsNatural source for taurine and glycosaminoglycans – for the demand-oriented provision at feeding with raw meatThe naturally very high taurine content of the greenshell mussel is a very pleasing aspect for cat owners. Cats in particular depend on a sufficient supply of this organic acid in their food, as they cannot produce taurine themselves and lose a large part of it through their excretions. Taurine is essential for cats. A deficiency can lead to severe impairments and physical damage.Fit-BARF Greenshell Mussel consists of New Zealand greenshell mussel powder (Perna canaliculus, freeze-dried, non-defatted mussel meat). In addition, the greenshell mussel provides important components of the body's own mucous membrane as a building block and can thus have a supportive effect on the functionality and elasticity of the urinary bladder and all other mucous membranes. Occasionally fed, the trace elements and vitamins contained in the greenshell mussel can have a positive effect on vitality, metabolism, nutritional imbalances and on stressed skin.Expert tip: Does your dog suffer from joint problems? Then take a look at ArthroGreen Classic. The herbal composition, proven for years, supports your beloved four-legged friend on his daily tours.Growing puppy? Here ArthroGreen Junior offers the nutrients for a safe step into the big, wide world.Composition: New Zealand greenshell mussel powder (Perna canaliculus, freeze-dried, non-defatted mussel meat) 100%Analytical constituents: crude protein 54,1%, crude fat 10,3%Feeding recommendation: Add daily to the feed. Cats: 0.5 g/5 kg body weight. Dogs: 0.5 g/10 kg body weight. 1 half tsp. corresponds to ca. 1.5 g.
Billions of tiny microorganisms are found in the intestine. A distinction is made between pathogenic bacteria (pathogens that cause disease) and bacteria that are beneficial for healthy intestinal flora, such as lactic acid bacteria. These 'good' bacteria are hard-working helpers of the immune system and have a positive influence on digestive juices, enzymes, and the intestinal mucosa. The pathogens are properly fought and displaced. In addition, an intact intestinal flora ensures a good digestion.If the natural intestinal flora is disturbed, excessive colonization by pathogens can occur and the dog gets diarrhea. Antibiotic treatments can also attack the protective function - often the drugs do not distinguish between 'good' and 'bad' bacteria. The intestinal flora is disturbed, its defense mechanism functions only to a limited extent and the intestinal wall is adversely affected.The ancestor of our dog - the wolf - therefore also eats the digestive organs of its prey. They contain all the necessary microorganisms for a well-functioning intestinal flora. It is not always possible to feed fresh rumen or omasum. Even frozen they do not compensate for the lack of valuable bacteria and enzymes, as these are destroyed by freezing. This deficiency can be compensated very well with fermented herbs. Therefore, regular feeding with Fit-BARF DarmFlora is recommended, even with nutritionally disturbed intestinal flora as well as digestive problems.Displacement of pathogenic bacteriaStimulation of the immune systemImproved digestion of foodMaintenance of intestinal peristalsis