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A small gray kitten grabs the blue ribbon on a brown paper-wrapped present in a cozy, lamp-lit room. 3 / 23

The Present Hadn't Even Been Opened When the Ribbon Went Missing

AI imagegray kittenchristmas ribbonpresent

One gray kitten has decided that the best part of the present is not what is inside. With both front paws pressed down and the blue ribbon pinched in its teeth, the kitten is deep into a tug of war with a bow. The gift is wrapped in plain brown paper, and a mug, a lamp with a warm glow, and a lit tree in the background make the room feel like mid-evening. A few pine needles and knitted mittens litter the table, proof that the decorating has been busy.

Ribbon is one of the most tempting cat toys and one of the riskiest. Cats who swallow string, yarn, or ribbon can end up with serious intestinal trouble, so it should be a supervised game at most, and the ribbon should be put away when the play ends. A better choice is a wand toy or a feather on a stick, which gives the same chasing fun without anything to swallow. Short bursts of play a few times a day suit kittens well, since they have lots of energy and little stamina.

This kitten, who seems like a Smokey to us, looks completely focused, ears forward and eyes wide, as if the ribbon might escape. It will not be long before the tired part of the play session arrives and a nap on the nearest soft sweater begins. Until then, the present can wait.

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A small brown kitten with big ears sits on a white windowsill looking out at falling snow and snowy houses.The Snow Started Falling, and One Tiny Kitten Dropped EverythingA tortoiseshell kitten looks up from a cardboard gift box lined with white tissue and topped with a red bow.The Gift Box Had a Red Bow, Tissue Paper, and a Surprise InsideA hand lifts a small silver-spotted kitten up beside a gold star on a lit Christmas tree.The Tree Needed a Star, and Somebody Suggested a KittenA cream kitten with folded ears wears a red Santa hat on a stone hearth beside logs and a garland-covered mantel.The Santa Hat Was Two Sizes Too Big. The Kitten Wore It Anyway.