Three Steps to Reduce Holiday Stress for Your Kitty

The annual holidays can be a very stressful time for your cat. This is the time of the year when that strange tree goes up, bright trinkets are hung (but all your cat hears is "No, no, bad kitty!" when she tries to explore them), delicious food is prepared (cats need not apply to eat it!), and lots of strange people come tramping into the house.

Some cats are in their glory, being in the middle of the tree decoration tradition, while others react to differences in the household by cowering in fear. Plus, if the holidays stress you out (raise your hand if they don't; the rest of us would like to know your secret), it'll be communicated to kitty, and she may react in kind. And sometimes that fear and stress manifests itself in your cat urinating outside her litter box.

Here are three steps you can do to reduce holiday stress for your cat.

First, keep the household changes to a minimum. Think about where you might put the Christmas tree. If you put the tree in a place that normally belongs to kitty, she could be mighty upset with you. Her reaction could range from hiding for days to urinating underneath the tree, if not trying to pull it down. Look for a location that pleases both the human and animal population in your house. If that's not possible, and knowing how cats can be, you'll have to settle for pleasing one or the other. My bet is it's whoever pays the bills.

My cat Scout thinks the Christmas tree is a new litter box location. She'll urinate on the tree cover. That's a treat to clean! I have to keep a plastic liner under the tree to facilitate the clean up. I make double certain to keep all the litter boxes clean, but she feels a need to express herself creatively at this time of the year. It's her way to contributing to the tree decorating tradition.

Next, if you own a scaredy kitty, confine her to a safe room when hosting holiday events in your home. If possible, confine your kitty in a place that guests won't stumble in. Put her food, water, and a clean litter box in the room. Stop in from time to time to reassure her that it's alright. If there aren't adequate hiding spots in her room, think about putting a box or large paper bag in with her, and encourage her to burrow in it.

Finally, purchase some natural flower essence compounds to put in her food or water all during the holiday season. There are several good remedies that are recommended for situational stress. Add a few drops in kitty's food or water twice a day, and you'll see results within 24 hours. Flowering essences are also safe for human consumption, so if you're contemplating a fall into insanity, take a few drops yourself!

You can also purchase synthetic hormone substances that come pre-packaged in a bottle that plugs into any electrical outlet in your home. This remedy lasts approximately a month.

Good luck, and happy holidays to you and your family ? humans and animals!

About The Author

Nancy E. Wigal

www.cat-urine-odor-advisor.com

nancy@cat-urine-odor-advisor.com

I'm a cat lover who has had cats since childhood. Quite a few of these wonderful creatures are available for adoption because they don't use the litter box, and the previous owner has grown frustrated trying to solve the inappropriate elimination problem.

I have one of those cats, and I've successfully discovered the reasons why she wouldn't use her box. I created the Cat Urine Odor Advisor to help cat owners understand the materials, solutions, and resources that work together to eliminate cat urine odor from their homes.

---

Birthday Journals

Last year, as I turned 50, (FIVE-OOOH!!!), I decided to... Read More

Mothers Day, Do You Know What Youre Giving The Woman Who Gave You Life?

Mother's Day, Do you know what you're giving the woman... Read More

A Dash of Cinnamon, A Pinch of the Past, A Smidgen of the Future

Close your eyes and remember December, the smell of cinnamon... Read More

Christmas Gifts to Last a Lifetime

Do you know what you are giving to the children... Read More

Christmas Mourning

Deecember is a cruel month. Christmas sales, decorations, advertisements -everyone... Read More

Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees

Putting up and decorating your Christmas tree is a holiday... Read More

A Diamond Christmas 2004!

When Archduke Maximillian of Austria bestowed a diamond ring on... Read More

Christmas Shopping for a New Love

Christmas is a magical time of year, especially for those... Read More

Birthday Gift Ideas

Birthday celebrations date back as far as biblical times, when... Read More

Birthday Gift Guide

A birthday gift is the opportunity to show your loved... Read More

Keeping it Simple this Season

It's back. The holiday season and all the challenges that... Read More

Choosing Childrens Birthday Party Supplies and Decorations

Birthday party supplies and decorations can bring that necessary magic... Read More

10 Holiday Sober Savers 2004

1.) BEGIN NOW !!!Don't save your shopping, decorating, cooking, wrapping,... Read More

Event Planning 101

One of the tools I use as a professional organizer... Read More

What to Do When You Are Alone for the Holidays

Being alone for the holidays is a major challenge for... Read More

Tropical Christmas

I can recall from my days in England, watching television... Read More

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - How to Tap in to the Holiday Publicity Bonanza

If your product or service can be given as a... Read More

Terrible at choosing gifts?

Need help with gifts? Not everyone is good at choosing... Read More

Incredibles Kid Birthday Party Idea

Mr. Incredible and Elastiwoman to the Rescue. The Incredibles based... Read More

Romance on a Budget

Valentine's Day is often synonymous with lush velvety looking red... Read More

Children?s Birthday Party Locations and Ideas

While most children's birthday parties are held at home, you... Read More

Practical Ways to Keep Your ADD Under Control During the Holiday Season

Do November's Thanksgiving experiences have you dreading the December holidays?... Read More

How Santa Makes Out His Christmas List

How Does Santa Make Out His List?I'll let you in... Read More

How to Host Thankgiving Dinner and Enjoy it Anyway

You've been nominated; or perhaps your family has issued a... Read More

Christmas Holidays: 5 Ways To Make This Holiday Your Best Ever

For many people the end of a year is a... Read More

Use H-O-L-L-Y to Beat Christmas Cooking Stress

What does holly, that untidy traditional greenery you just have... Read More

The Rose

Lifestyle is style over amount. And style is an art... Read More

Virtual Assistants... Even Santa Needs One!

Trying to fit all the planning and preparing and celebrating... Read More

Fitness Tips On How To Avoid Gaining Weight During The Holiday Season

This holiday season don't be trendy ? avoid the Seasonal... Read More

Cornucopia Centerpiece for Thanksgiving Day

As we enter into the month of November my thoughts... Read More

9 Fantastic Formulas for a Stress Free Holiday!

The holidays are officially here. And so the season for... Read More

This Mothers Day -- Give The Gift Of Fitness

Do you know a Mom that deserves a special gift... Read More

Eggs-travagant Eggs

Wonderfully simple to do and oh so impressive!You don't need... Read More