Are you still working on your Christmas list? Whether you’ve finished your holiday shopping already or tend to wait until the last minute and get everything in one mad rush, you’ve got plenty of options for things to get your cat. Whether Fluffy has been naughty or nice, she deserves a few new things of her own. A Salisbury, NC vet lists some of them in this article.
Presents For Kittens
You’re definitely in for an adorable holiday season if your feline buddy is still a kitten. Little Fluffy somehow manages to be cuter than usual in front of a prettily decorated tree. (She’s also pretty cute when she’s wreaking havoc on said tree, but that’s another topic.)
Plenty of toys are in order. You might want to hold off on catnip: most kittens don’t become susceptible to it until they are at least three months old.
Your furry pal will appreciate cat furniture to perch, nap, and play on, but you should probably avoid most kitten-sized items, as she’ll outgrow them so quickly. Instead, choose a cat tower with lots of nooks and crannies.
Grown Up Kitties
For grownup kitties, the classic catnip mouse is fine. (Catnip tacos, birds, squirrels, and armadillos also work.) You can also offer your furry buddy a live catnip plant, catnip bubbles, or catnip spray.
Keep in mind that not all cats like catnip. Roughly half of our feline friends are immune to its effects. Honeysuckle cat toys can be a good alternative for those catnip-resistant furballs. For some reason, kitties that do not enjoy catnip often like honeysuckle. (We aren’t sure why, so we’ll just add that one to the list of feline mysteries.)
Cat Gifts For Seniors
Fluffy will still enjoy and appreciate toys in her golden years. Senior cats tend to be, well, a bit lazy. Older kitties may spend most of their time sleeping, but they need exercise and mental stimulation as well.
Comfort is king with older cats. Pet ramps or stairs, fountains, and litter boxes specifically designed for seniors can all make life easier for your cute pet. You can also get Fluffy some grooming furniture with a roller brush for your aging kitty to rub against.
Your little buddy will also still enjoy pet furniture such as cat towers, cat shelves, scratching posts, window seats, and/or catwalks.
Gadget Kitty Gifts
A robotic mouse or remote control toy is a fun option for the modern kitty. You can also download video games that are specifically designed for Fluffy to play on your smartphone or tablet. This is a great way to repurpose a new phone or tablet that is being replaced.
Do you have a furry little explorer on your hands? GPS tags are an option for kitties that go outdoors. (Note: we always recommend keeping cats inside, for safety reasons.)
You can even buy Fluffy some programmable paw pads. These speak specific words when cats step on them. (As one may expect, kitties usually use these to boss their humans around.)
Gifts For Kitties That Don’t Care About Gadgets
Not all furballs are impressed by the latest technology. In fact, quite a few of our meowing patients have very simple tastes. One surefire way to score some purrs? Give your furry friend the empty boxes after everyone has finished opening their gifts. You can even make your feline overlord a box castle, complete with turrets and balconies. This is a great vacation project for the kids!
Homemade Kitty Gifts
There are also many great DIY ideas for cat toys. Making your own catnip mice is a simple option. Start by cutting two pieces of fabric into the same shape. It can be a mouse, but cats really don’t care what shape their toys are. Then, sew them together with the outsides facing inwards, leaving a small gap. Pull the fabric through this hole and then stuff the toy with catnip before sewing it shut. Finally, tell Fluffy not to play with it. She’ll probably go for it right away!
Presents For Homeless Kitties
Not all cats are lucky enough to have Christmas trees to climb and laps to curl up in. There are far too many lovable felines in animal shelters. These sweet kitties only want someone to love them, care for them, and provide them with cuddles, affection, and, of course, catnip.
A forever home is of course the purrfect gift here, but that isn’t something to take lightly. Adoption is forever!
However, there are other ways to help homeless cats and the shelters and organizations that care for them. Offering monetary donations, providing supplies to a local shelter, and/or sponsoring a medical treatment for an adoptable cat in need are all wonderful ways to make a difference.
You can also make shelters for homeless cats in your neighborhood with just a few storage totes. Place one inside the other, and insert newspaper between for insulation. Cut a small doorway in one side and add a soft blanket. This won’t solve the problem of overpopulation of pets cannot be solved, but it can keep a scared, struggling cat warm at night. For more information, contact your Salisbury, NC veterinarian.
All-Purrpose Cat Gifts
If there is one thing that all of our feline buddies would appreciate, it’s a new bed. You can of course buy them, but you can also make your own. An old suitcase, drawer, or crate can be used for this.
A subscription box is another great option. Every month, Fluffy will get a new box of toys to bat under the sofa.
ANother good option is the scratching board or post. There are a lot of really cute ones available. Fluffy can do her nails on a manicure station that looks like a taco, a cactus, a hippie van, or a turntable. You can also pick something that matches your decor and style tastes.
The Best Gifts For Fluffy: FInal Thoughts On Choosing The Purrfect Gift
When it comes to your beloved furry companion’s well-being, safety should always come first. Be cautious of toys with small components and make sure to put away stringed toys after playtime to prevent any possible entanglement for your cat. Additionally, it is best to steer clear of pet products produced overseas as some countries may not have rigorous quality regulations. Unfortunately, certain pet items have been discovered to contain dangerous substances like BPAS and lead, but that is a separate matter entirely. FInally, just keep in mind that Cats are unpredictable. They might ignore the things you buy them and play with a bottle cap or sleep on a pizza box. You’ll also need to consider Fluffy’s personality. Anxious kitties may enjoy comfort items, while bold, adventurous cats may benefit from exercise wheels or things that keep them active.
To learn more about keeping your kitty happy and healthy this holiday season, reach out to your trusted veterinarian in Salisbury, NC.
Season’s Greetings from Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, your Salisbury, NC animal clinic! Please do not hesitate to contact us for all of your kitty’s veterinary care needs.
