How to involve your cat in Christmas

Looking for ideas on how to entertain and involve your cat at Christmas? From Christmas cat toys to festive pet dinners, here’s how to include your pet during the festive period.

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With all the food, festivities and decorations, it's easy to see why we get so excited about Christmas – and you should be able to include your furry family member in the fun, too.

Here, we explore how to safely involve your cat in Christmas celebrations.

Cook a cat-friendly Christmas dinner

One of the best parts of Christmas is the food, so why not make something special for your cat?

You could create a cat-friendly Christmas dinner using pet-safe foods such as cooked, unseasoned turkey meat, boiled parsnips or sprouts, steamed broccoli and mashed swede. Likewise, you could bake some festive treats. You can also buy festive-themed pet food at supermarkets or pet stores if you don’t fancy making them.

Remember to never feed your cat a regular Christmas dinner or any human treats, as some foods can be harmful or even toxic to them. Examples include cooked bones, chocolate, mince pies, gravy, stuffing, cake, nuts and sweets.

If you believe your cat may have eaten something unsuitable, always contact your vet for help. Customers with Petplan cat insurance can also access our Pet Expert Chat for 24/7 advice. Simply log into your My Petplan account and go to My Support.

Create cat Christmas stockings and DIY presents

Unwrapping Christmas presents is one of the joys of the festive period, and you can include your cat in the special day by giving them a Christmas gift of their own.

Some ideas include catnip, turkey-themed treats or interactive toys that will provide the opportunity for you to play together and spend some quality time. And don’t underestimate the joy that a simple homemade toy can bring your cat.

In the lead up to Christmas, you could buy a cat-friendly advent calendar – or try making your own by sourcing a plain frame and filling it with cat treats. If you’re planning to hang stockings, you can also create a cat Christmas stocking, filled with toys and treats, to hang up as well.

No matter the gift, cats typically find the box and wrapping to be a lot more interesting. Remember to keep an eye on your cat around these and to remove wrapping paper and ribbons as soon as possible, as these can be a choking hazard if ingested by your cat.

Watch festive films

When you're full of roast potatoes, curling up with a festive film is the ideal way to unwind after a long day.

If your cat has been overwhelmed by the chaos of Christmas Day, tempt them in for a snuggle on the sofa to help relax and calm them down.

Take care with festive family photoshoots

Many families enjoy taking seasonal photographs to include on their Christmas cards for friends and loved ones – and these can sometimes include pets, too.

While it’s fine to include your cat in a photo if they are comfortable, remember not to put your cat in a Christmas costume. As well as being stressful and uncomfortable for them, a costume can limit your cat’s natural movements and increase their chances of injury.

Create a safe space

As pets don't understand the concept of Christmas, they may be confused by your lack of attention as you focus on cooking, unwrapping presents and socialising with family and friends. Be sure to put your cat’s needs first during this time – give them space if they stalk off to hide, and offer them plenty of attention if they are hanging around and feeling neglected.

The coming and goings of new people can also be frightening for cats, who are creatures of habit and routine. If you do plan to have a party or lots of people over, create a safe space for them that’s far away from the noise, ensuring they have access to food, cosy bedding, toys and their litter tray.

It’s also not unusual to hear fireworks outside during the festive season. If your cat is scared by the loud bangs and flashes, here’s how to help soothe them.