What Cat Owners Do for Their Pets Each Christmas Melts Hearts: 'Santa Paws'

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Animals may not understand the concept of Christmas, but that doesn't stop their owners from including them in the festivities.

Take the TikTok user @lol_its_lana_, a cat owner who enjoys surprising her two feline friends, Ollie and Bo, with gifts.

This year, she treated her cats to a children's ball pit complete with a tunnel. However, as seen in a video of the cats' reactions, the response was mixed. Ollie eagerly explored and played in the new setup, while Bo quickly ran away and was nowhere to be seen for the remainder of the clip.

The video, posted on December 15, quickly went viral, amassing more than 1.4 million views. Newsweek has contacted @lol_its_lana_ for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.

A 2023 survey by Chewy, the online pet supplies retailer, found that 84 percent of pet owners purchased multiple gifts for their furry companions during the holidays, with 45 percent even giving their pets a present "from Santa." But gift-giving is only one part of the festivities.

The survey also found that 53 percent of the 500 cat and dog owners surveyed coordinated outfits with their pets, while 58 percent prepared a special holiday meal for them.

In the video's comments section, the poster said she and her partner go "all out" at Christmas. In the caption, she encouraged others to join in the fun, writing, "This is your sign to get your cats a ball pit for Christmas this year."

"Glad I'm not the only one who gets their cats gifts from Santa Paws," one viewer commented. Another wrote, "Thanks, my cat was next to me and looked at me, so now I gotta buy him it."

Some users said they had already ordered the same ball pit, while others were skeptical it would be a hit in their homes.

"My cats would be using the ball pit as a boxing ring," one user said.

Another added: "My cat is so afraid of everything. He can't even see a new piece of dog fluff on the floor without getting anxious, [never mind] a giant tent/ball pit."

"That's how Bo was," the poster replied.

Black and white cat
A stock image of a cat with Christmas tree decorations. A video of a similar looking feline playing in a ball pit has delighted thousands of TikTok users. Nevena1987/iStock/Getty Images Plus

How to Keep Your Cat Calm During the Holidays

The holiday season can be stressful for cats because of changes in their environment and routines. To help alleviate your feline friend's anxiety during this time, consider the following tips, which All About Cats Veterinary Hospital in Washington listed on its website:

  • Provide a safe space: Set up a quiet area equipped with food, water, toys, a comfortable bed, a scratching post and a litter box, allowing your cat to retreat when feeling overwhelmed.
  • Maintain daily routines: Keep feeding, playtime and other daily activities consistent to provide a sense of security.
  • Offer extra attention: Spend quality time with your cat to reinforce their sense of security and help them relax.
  • Use treats wisely: Provide favorite treats to help your cat feel safe, especially when guests are present.
  • Consider calming aids: Use catnip, pheromone diffusers or calming treats to help your cat relax amid holiday activities.
  • Be mindful of decorations: Introduce holiday decor gradually, ensuring items such as tinsel, garlands and plants (e.g., mistletoe, poinsettias) are out of reach to prevent ingestion or injury.

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our "Pet of the Week" lineup.

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