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A silver tabby American Shorthair stands on hind legs and bats at a red ornament on a low Christmas tree branch. 4 / 24

A Silver Tabby Stretched Tall for the Lowest Ornament on the Tree

AI imagesilver tabbychristmas ornamentamerican shorthair

She stands on her hind legs with one front paw raised, her striped silver coat stretched long as she reaches for the red ornament on the bottom branch. Her ears are pricked and her eyes are locked on the shiny ball, which swings from the tree's lowest bough, and a woven tree basket sits at its base. A pair of grey slippers, a scattering of wooden blocks and a toy dog on the carpet show this is a family room well used to play.

Silver tabby American Shorthairs are sturdy, friendly cats known for being playful and adaptable, and they are skilled hunters at heart. A swaying ornament looks just like prey, so it's not surprising that cats love to bat them. If you have a cat, place glass or breakable ornaments higher up and use shatterproof ones on lower branches. Skip tinsel and hooks that can be swallowed, and anchor the tree so a big pounce won't tip it. Offering a toy on a wand to play with beforehand can burn off some of that energy and help redirect the hunting instinct.

Call her Tigress, because there is a lot of determination in her stance. The ornament dances away from her paw, which only makes it more interesting. In a moment it will either fall or survive, and either way the little hunter will consider it a successful morning.

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