Dear Ms. Kitty: My family is coming to stay over Thanksgiving this year. I have two cats who are a little shy when it comes to visitors. How can I help them be braver so I can show off my best feline buddies? Signed, Cautious Cat Mom

Dear Cautious: We all hope the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year. But for many cats, the extra activity and changes can make their safe home feel like unfamiliar territory. Here’s how to help your cats sail smoothly through the holidays with you. 

DECORATING

Cats love predictability. Rearranging furniture and adding decorations can be stressful for some kitties. 

Let them adapt by helping you decorate! As you bring out each item, let the cats “meet” it by sniffing. If you must move furniture, do it gradually. 

If you put up a tree, give them a chance to rub on it and claim it as theirs. Keep fragile ornaments on the higher branches and sturdier ones below. 

If your cat can’t resist climbing the tree, redirect that instinct—give them a new cat tree of their own and reward them for using it.

Avoid decorations that are sharp or small enough to swallow. Enjoy lit candles only under supervision, and snuff them out afterward to avoid singed whiskers. 

Slowing down while you decorate can ease your own holiday stress, too. Let your cats remind you to be present in the moment.

HOUSE GUESTS

If family or friends are staying with you, remember that while you’ve known them for years, your cats haven’t. They’ll need time to adjust.

Place your cats in their safe room (likely their favorite room) while your guests settle in. Then offer your guests kitty treats or favorite wand toys to help build positive introductions. 

If your cats decide to stay in their Safe Room because the rest of the house feels too people-y, let them! They’ll come out when they’re ready. 

Most cats don’t appreciate other animals in their territory, so ask guests to leave their pets at home. If that’s not possible, confine visiting animals to one room and let them out only when your cats are safely tucked away. Keeping everyone separate may seem strict, but it helps your cats feel secure.

FOOD 

Most cats won’t be tempted by sweets, but if yours is curious, keep candy and cookies out of reach. The real temptation will be the turkey—or any meat. 

Plain, unseasoned meat can be a small treat, but don’t let them overindulge. And never let them near cooked bones, which can splinter and cause serious injury. 

PARTIES

A holiday gathering combines territory changes, strangers, and tempting food—three stressors in one. 

Before guests arrive, settle your cats in their Safe Room with food, toys and maybe a little catnip cheer. That small step can mean the difference between terrified hiding and a cozy, peaceful holiday nap while you enjoy the festivities.

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