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A brown tabby cat lies on a rug with a string of warm lights wrapped around its paws and body. 20 / 21

The Tabby Said She Was Only Helping With the Lights

AI imagebrown tabbychristmas lightsliving room

The lights are plugged in, the cat is lying on top of them and nobody is quite sure how that happened. A brown tabby sprawls on a beige rug with a string of tiny warm lights looped around her front paws and chest. She looks down with a careful, thoughtful frown, as though weighing her options. A gray couch, a basket and a glowing Christmas tree sit in the blurry background. Every little bulb sparkles against her striped fur.

Strings of lights are fun for cats to bat at, but they can be a safety problem. Chewing on cords can cause burns or shocks, and tangled wire can wrap around legs. If your cat likes to pounce on lights, unplug them when you are away, keep the cords tucked behind furniture or in cord covers, and consider leaving the lowest branches bare. Cat-safe distractions, such as a feather toy, can keep paws busy. If you suspect your pet has chewed a cord or been shocked, call your vet right away.

In this case the lights look more like a necklace than a hazard, and the tabby has the calm of a cat who has been here before. A gentle untangling, a pause and a treat usually fix everything. Not every tangle ends badly, and some just make the best pictures of the season.

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