Browse ›
A tiny black kitten sits beside a mug of cocoa topped with marshmallows on a wooden coffee table near a lit tree. 1 / 21

The Cocoa Was Set Down for One Second. The Kitten Noticed.

AI imageblack kittenchristmashot cocoa

The mug is bigger than the kitten's whole head, and the little black fluffball knows it. He sits at the edge of a wooden coffee table with his wide green eyes fixed somewhere between the camera and the marshmallows floating on top of the cocoa. Around him the living room is mid-holiday: pine sprigs and a few stray needles on the table, a knitted throw in a heap, wrapped gifts piled near a glowing tree in the background.

Hot chocolate and curious cats are a combination worth planning for. Chocolate contains theobromine, which cats and dogs process poorly, and even a few licks of a sweet drink aren't a great idea. Marshmallows and cream add sugar a kitten simply doesn't need. The easy fix is to keep mugs out of paw's reach, or set them down with a saucer on top, and to wipe up drips right away. Small kittens also tend to investigate with their paws first, so a hot drink can mean a burn or a spill as well. If your kitten does get into something sweet or chocolatey, a quick call to your vet is the safest next step.

Let's call this one Sootie. For now he's content to sit very still, whiskers forward, studying the steam like it's a magic trick. Sooner or later the cocoa will go cold and the mug will be taken away, and he'll go back to chasing pinecones across the floor, but this quiet standoff has its own holiday charm.

More from this collection

All 21 →
A tortoiseshell kitten wearing a cream knit sweater with reindeer pattern sits on a couch among wrapping paper.The Tiny Reindeer Sweater Fit. The Kitten Had Questions.A fluffy grey kitten sleeps on a wooden mantel under three hanging Christmas stockings with pine branches nearby.Three Stockings Hung by the Fire, and One Got Occupied
A calico kitten sits on a cluttered table beside a small gingerbread house decorated with candy.The Gingerbread House Was Finished. Then the Inspector Arrived.A calico kitten leans down to sniff a plate of chocolate chip cookies on a wooden table.A Plate of Cookies Waited for Santa. A Calico Got Closer.A blue-grey kitten sits between wrapped gifts tied with twine and plaid ribbon beside a decorated Christmas tree.One Present Under the Tree Had Whiskers and Copper EyesA silver tabby Scottish Fold kitten reaches up with one paw toward a red ornament hanging from a low branch.The Lowest Ornament Swayed. The Scottish Fold Took That Personally.