Tinsel, ribbon, and other shiny bobbles are some things that make the season bright, but they can put your cat’s safety at risk this holiday. You’ll want to skip these sparkly decorations to keep Fluffy happy and safe all season long.
Why is Tinsel Bad for Your Cats?
To you, tinsel is a fun decorative touch during the season. But to your cat, tinsel looks a lot like their other toys.
Tinsel crinkles and sparkles, and it even moves at the barest hint of a draft. All this can activate their prey drive and convince them to pounce.
There’s no problem if Fluffy likes to bat it around with her paws, but it could become an emergency if she accidentally swallows it.
If ingested, tinsel can do a lot of damage to a cat’s insides. Long pieces can get lodged in their digestive tract and cut through your cat’s intestines like wire, or they may tangle into a ball and cause a painful obstruction.
Either situation requires surgery to remedy, so you need to rush your cat to the vet as soon as you think they’ve swallowed tinsel, ribbon, or any other foreign object.
How to Handle a Vet Emergency This Holiday
Emergency surgery during the holidays can be expensive. What can you do if the festivities have already stretched your budget tight and you’ve maxed out credit cards? Don’t panic — you still have options.
1. Negotiate with your Vet
Talk to your vet about their billing process. They might be willing to arrange a payment plan so that you don’t have to come up with everything at once. You can also discuss using generic drugs and other medication that your cat needs to recover.
2. Borrow an Installment Loan Online
If there’s no wiggle room with your vet, you may have to consider an online installment loan or cash advance. These online loans are available even if you have bad credit after maxing out your credit cards during the holidays.
Bad credit installment loans direct lenders may still check your score, but they’ll compare it to other financial information to determine if they should approve your request. You can find out what you need to apply for online loans with bad credit by visiting a lender’s website and looking through their requirements.
It may feel like you have to apply for an installment loan right away in an emergency. But taking a moment to compare installment loans direct lenders and their rates can help you find an affordable option.
3. Search for Charities
If you still can’t afford emergency vet care even with an installment loan, a pet charity may be your safety net. Start your search for funds here with Help-a-Pet or Waggle.
What Are the Signs Your Cat Has Ingested Tinsel?
You won’t always catch Fluffy in the act — she might swallow some tinsel while you’re out.
Watch for these symptoms to determine if you need to call the vet:
- Not eating
- Lethargy
- Stomach upset, including vomiting and diarrhea
- Aggressive behavior if you touch their stomach
Cat-Proof Your Holiday Decoration to Save a Life
A sick and injured cat can cast a long shadow on the holidays. Not only can it deliver an enormous bill in your stocking, but it also puts your four-legged friend’s life on the line.
To keep your cat safe all holiday long, skip the tinsel this year. Learn how to cat-proof the holidays and decorate with your pet’s safety in mind.
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