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A silver tabby Scottish Fold cat leans over a kitchen table covered with pumpkin seeds, pulp, and a carved pumpkin. 9 / 21

A Silver Scottish Fold Inspects the Pumpkin Carving Table Up Close

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Pumpkin seeds are scattered across a wooden table like confetti, and a silver tabby with folded ears is deep in the investigation. She leans in low with her nose near the pulp, her round back arched, her striped coat catching the warm kitchen light. Beside her are chunks of orange pumpkin, a damp paper towel, and a big carved jack-o'-lantern with a jagged grin, and a kitchen knife lies at the far edge of the table.

The kitchen behind her is cozy and lived-in, with a stack of mugs on a shelf, a bowl of garlic and onions, a gray couch, and a stuffed bear tucked on the cushion. We'll call her Pepita, a good name for a cat who is fond of seeds. It looks as if the carving finished some time ago, and the cleaning has not quite started.

Carving night is great fun, but it is also worth cat-proofing. Plain pumpkin flesh and seeds are not poisonous to cats, yet large amounts can upset a stomach, and anything oily or salted is a poor idea. Carving tools and knives should always be put away and the table wiped before a cat gets curious, since sharp edges and tiny seed bits can hurt a nosy kitty. Scottish Folds are gentle and curious, and many love to supervise household projects. A real candle inside a jack-o'-lantern is a risk around cats, so use a battery light. If you think your cat ate more than a nibble, talk to your vet.

Pepita sniffs along the edge of the mess, delighted by the scents. Halloween is a lot more interesting from the table level.

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