Meowy Christmas! Here's How to Let Your Cat Join the Holiday Feasting Fun

Christmas is a time for family, friends, and, of course, food. But if you're a cat owner, you may be wondering what festive treats are safe for your furry friend. From raw turkey to chocolate-covered marshmallows, there are many foods that cats should never eat during the holiday season—no matter how much they beg! Read on to learn more about what cats can and can't eat this Christmas.

These Are Christmas Foods That Can Be Shared With Your Cat

There are plenty of delicious treats your cat can enjoy over the holidays. If your cat is a picky eater, try adding a small amount of canned tuna or salmon to their meals. These fish are packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids that provide numerous health benefits. Just make sure these fish options don’t contain any added salt or other seasonings.

Lean Cuts Of Turkey: Lean cuts of cooked chicken or turkey with no added spices or seasonings make an excellent meal option. Most cats adore turkey, so it’s no surprise that it makes a great holiday treat. Be sure to remove any skin or bones before serving.

Pumpkin: Pumpkin is a good treat for your cat if you give it to your cat in a small amount. The pumpkin can be cooked or canned. It can also help your cat to relieve constipation or diarrhea if they have it.

Cranberries: This is a fruit snack that you can have with your cat; but make sure that you cut the cranberries up finely so that your cat does not choke.

Cooked Vegetables: Cooked carrots, peas, or sweet potatoes make a delicious snack for your cat. Just be sure they are cooked without added salt or spices.

Deli Meats: A tiny piece of deli meat such as ham, chicken, or roast beef makes a great treat for cats on special occasions like Christmas. Make sure the meats you feed your cat have no added preservatives or seasonings.

Apples and Pears: You can also give them some fresh fruit like apple slices or pears (without the skin). However, make sure to remove all seeds from the fruit before feeding it to your kitty as these can be poisonous for cats.  

Plain Cooked Sweet Potato or Winter Squash: For dessert, give your cat some pieces of plain cooked sweet potato or winter squash—both are rich in antioxidants and fiber and make great seasonal snacks.

These are Christmas Foods That You Should NOT Share With Your Cat

As tempting as it may be to let your cat indulge in some holiday treats, there are certain foods that you should avoid at all costs. These foods may make your cat sick so that they will not feel good for the holidays or on any other day.

Chocolate And Candy: Chocolate is one of the most dangerous items on this list; even small amounts can be toxic for cats and cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and even death in more severe cases. So it's best to keep these treats out of reach altogether if you want to keep your pet safe this Christmas season.        

Eggnog:  Eggnog should not be given to your cat because it is high in sugar which can cause your cat to have pancreatitis.

Cookie Dough: Avoid giving your cat any leftover raw dough used for baking cookies or bread as unbaked dough contains yeast which can lead to an upset stomach and bloating if ingested

Nuts & Seeds: Nuts such as walnuts, pecans, almonds, pistachios – all contain high levels of fat which can lead to pancreatitis if eaten in large amounts by cats. Additionally, macadamia nuts contain an unknown toxin that could cause vomiting and weakness when ingested by felines so they should also be avoided entirely when it comes to feeding time!

Alcoholic Beverages: Alcohol is toxic for both humans and animals alike and must be avoided under all circumstances.

Dairy Products:  Dairy products such as milk or cheese can cause cats to have difficulty digesting lactose which causes gas and digestive issues.

Garlic And Onions- These are no- no’s also for your cat during the holiday and during anytime. This includes any forms of these foods.

Gingerbread: Gingerbread contains cinnamon and nutmeg that can be toxic to your cat.

Xylitol- Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that can be found in yogurt, gum, ice cream,  peanut butter and peppermint. This sugar substitute is toxic to animals and may cause your pet to have liver damage. So it's best to keep treats made with xylitol away from your cat if you want to keep your pet safe this Christmas season.   

(You should always know that if you feel that at any time that your cat has been poisoned then you can call their veterinarian).

With the right knowledge about what foods are safe for our furry pals during the holidays we can ensure their safety while still giving them some festive treats!  However, if your cat does happen to feel sick after eating their Christmas foods then we got you! Click the button below to see what we have reviewed for you to help your feline loved one to get better!