Holiday Décor Safety for Cats

September 28, 2026

Keep your cat safe this holiday season! Learn how to prevent climbing, chewing, and ornament mishaps with tips from Cool Cats in Apex, NC


The holidays are a magical time filled with sparkling lights, shiny ornaments, and festive decorations. But for cat owners, it can also be a season of constant supervision and cat-proofing. Those twinkling lights, dangling ornaments, and rustling wrapping paper are irresistible invitations to curious felines! At Cool Cats Professional Cat Sitting, we understand that your cat’s safety comes first. So, we’re here with practical tips to keep your home merry, bright, and feline-friendly.


1. The Tempting Christmas Tree

The Tempting Christmas Tree

For many cats, the Christmas tree looks like a giant jungle gym full of things to climb, bat, and chew. To keep your tree standing tall, start with a sturdy, wide-based stand that won’t easily tip over. You can also secure your tree to a wall or ceiling hook with clear fishing line for extra stability.


If your cat loves to climb, try placing non-breakable ornaments on the lower branches and keeping fragile pieces higher up or on a smaller secondary tree in another room. Wrapping the tree base with aluminum foil or citrus-scented fabric can also discourage climbing. Most cats dislike the feel or smell!


2. Tinsel, Ribbon, and Garland Hazards

Tinsel Ribbon and Garland Hazards

Few decorations pose more risk to cats than tinsel and ribbon. These shiny, fluttering materials mimic toys and are incredibly tempting to swat at. Unfortunately, if swallowed, they can cause dangerous intestinal blockages that may require emergency surgery.


Instead, opt for fabric garlands, felt decorations, or paper crafts as safer alternatives. When wrapping gifts, skip the curling ribbon and use twine or paper string. Your cat will still find it fun to bat around once unwrapped!


3. Safe Ornament Ideas

Safe Ornament Ideas

It’s hard to resist beautiful glass ornaments, but cats see them as the ultimate playthings. To avoid breakage and potential injury, choose shatterproof ornaments and secure them tightly using twist ties instead of hooks. Avoid decorations made with feathers or small parts that could detach and become choking hazards.


For a cat-friendly touch, decorate the lower sections of your tree with soft ornaments, wooden crafts, or plush pieces. You can even make DIY felt ornaments that match your holiday theme. They’ll look adorable and be much safer for adventurous paws.


4. Candle and Light Safety

Candle and Light Safety

Creating a Cat Friendly Holiday Space

One simple way to keep cats out of trouble is to give them their own holiday fun zone. Add a new scratching post, cat tunnel, or cozy bed near the action so they can participate safely. Sprinkle a little catnip or place a toy where they can keep an eye on the festivities without invading your decorations.


The holidays should be joyful for both you and your feline family members. With a bit of planning and creativity, you can celebrate safely and reduce the chances of toppled trees or late-night vet visits.


At Cool Cats Professional Cat Sitting, we love helping Apex cat parents enjoy peace of mind, whether you’re home for the holidays or traveling to visit family. Our team of experienced sitters knows how to keep your kitties safe, comfortable, and loved while you’re away.

Wishing you and your cool cats a warm, safe, and joy-filled holiday season!


Hire The Cat Professionals This Holiday Season!


Are you or someone you know looking for a pet sitter? Here at Cool Cats Professional Cat Sitting, we treat your pets as if they were our own and provide them with the love and affection they deserve. We are bonded, insured, and offer a wide variety of pet sitting services.


We proudly serve the following North Carolina towns and zip codes: Apex, NC (27502, 27523, 27539), Brier Creek (27617), Cary, NC (27511, 27513, 27518, 27519), Chapel Hill (27514,27515, 27516), and Morrisville, NC (27560). Click here to become a client today or give us a call at 919-335-3157. Be sure to check out our Facebook & Instagram too! We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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Tabby cat with closed eyes being gently held by hands, close-up portrait

Happy Cat Month

September 29, 2026
Talking About How To Make Cats Happy And The Month-Long Holiday That Promotes Cat Happiness The month of September is celebrated by cat lovers everywhere as Happy Cat Month! Never heard of Happy Cat Month? Then you’re in luck because Cool Cats Professional Cat Sitting has you covered! This article will cover everything you need to know about Happy Cats Month, how to celebrate it, and some of the best ways to keep your cat happy. What Is Happy Cat Month? So what is Happy Cat Month? Happy Cat Month is a month-long holiday that aims to inform and educate cat owners about how to make their cats healthy and happy. It’s a common misconception that cats are self-sufficient pets. While most cats do have an independent nature, they are still very social creatures. Cats need lots of love & attention just like any other pet. Happy Cat Month is a friendly and celebratory way to educate people about the welfare, health, and importance of our feline friends.
A wildcat behind a wire fence, looking through the bars with one paw raised.

Adopt A Less Adoptable Pet Week/ Remember Me Thursday

September 29, 2026
Covering Two Very Important Pet-Themed Holidays That Focus On Shelter Animals And The Struggles They Face The month of September contains several pet-themed awareness based holidays. Two of the most significant of these holidays are Adopt A Less Adoptable Pet Week and Remember Me Thursday. Both of these holidays are centered around shelter animals and the struggles they face. This article will discuss both of these holidays and offer various ways you can observe them. Adopt A Less Adoptable Pet Week The 3rd week of September is widely celebrated by pet lovers everywhere as Adopt A Less Adoptable Pet Week. This year (2023) Adopt A Less Adoptable Pet Week takes place from September 18th to September 24th. This week-long holiday was founded by PetFinder , an online searchable database of animals that need homes. Additionally, PetFinder also has a directory of nearly 11,000 animal shelters and adoption organizations. These animal shelters and adoption organizations span across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Adopt A Less Adoptable Pet Week was founded to raise public awareness about shelter animals that are often overlooked. Most of these animals are overlooked based solely on appearance. However, just because an animal doesn’t look perfect, doesn’t mean they are not worthy of adoption. Additionally, this also applies to senior pets or pets with special needs. Many people believe it would require too much effort to care for a senior pet or special needs pet. Caring for these types of pets may not be easy, but it is still very rewarding and humbling to do so. Remember Me Thursday Remember Me Thursday occurs every year on the last Thursday of September. This year (2023) it will take place on September 28th. This pet themed awareness based holiday was founded in 2013 by Helen Woodward Animal Center of San Diego . The focus of Remember Me Thursday is to raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption and all of the shelter animals that are in need of a forever home. Remember Me Thursday has made a huge impact in the world since its founding in 2013. More than 190 countries have supported Remember Me Thursday along with over 700 different animal welfare organizations worldwide. Additionally, more than 330 million people have helped spread awareness about Remember Me Thursday across various social media platforms. What started as a pet-themed holiday has now become a worldwide movement to inspire change in shelter animals’ lives.