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A white kitten with blue-grey eyes holds a red and white candy cane in its mouth on a sofa, holiday clutter behind. 8 / 23

A White Kitten Struts Across the Sofa With Her Candy Cane Prize

AI imagewhite kittenchristmascandy cane

There is a certain pride in how this white kitten holds her candy cane. She has clamped it right across her mouth like a tiny red-and-white trophy, her blue-grey eyes looking sideways as if daring anyone to take it. The sofa is a cozy nest of blankets, and in the background, a basket, pine sprigs and holiday odds and ends crowd the shelves.

Kittens explore the world with their mouths, so anything small and shiny or striped is likely to get a nibble. Candy canes are a fun decoration, but they are not a treat for cats. They are pure sugar, they can break into sharp pieces, and some candies contain xylitol, which is dangerous for pets. Peppermint products in general are best kept away from them.

The easy answer is to keep sweets on high shelves or in closed bowls, and to hang candy canes on the tree well above kitten level. Instead, offer a feather wand, a crinkle ball or a tiny piece of a cat-safe treat to redirect her attention. If you think your kitten has swallowed candy or wrapper pieces, call your vet for advice.

For now, the candy cane is her great find of the afternoon. She looks entirely satisfied with the haul, and the sofa is her kingdom. Her tiny tongue peeks out now and then, a sure sign she is enjoying every second of her small crime.

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