PLEASE read, Danger Christmas tree water and more!

[BJMackay]

Hi,

At this time of year I try to pass this important information on, I feel it is my "duty." It is a little known health warning that came straight from the vets at our big teaching/animal hospital. Do NOT let your cat drink the water from the Christmas tree, it can be deadly. The sap from the tree is what is poisonous and that leaks in the water, and that is what the kitty drinks. My oldest cat Zack who is now 13 use to drink it when he was a young cat, and he was fine, the vet said he was very lucky. What we do is buy the "dish collars," (you know that the vet puts on the animal's neck to prevent the animal from biting their body.) at Petsmart and wrap that around the tree trunk, it makes a good "cover" for the tree stand...duct tape helps too!

I am a 10year foster mother to our local non kill cat humane society, we have a housefull of one of a kind felines and have fostered hundreds! I stopped counting at 300. Last year one kitten of mine that was adopted out got very ill from the tree water, luckily it pulled through. Another little one wasn't as lucky, he died not because of the tree water but because he ate artificial holly berries and twigs that the owner used as decoration. He was only 5 months old, died of bowl obstruction. He suffered for three days, she never took him to the vet even with all the danger signs he showed.

Anyway, please be cautious during this time of year. No tinsel, fake plants, NO Poinsettia plants, use common sense. And do not get piece of mind by thinking "well my kitty has never eaten it in the past." As you know as a cat owner they are free spirits and change their minds at any time! Do not take a chance, it isn't worth it...it only takes one time.
Thank you, have a safe holiday with your beloved furry angel.

Also, I am looking for a digital camera and am always on the look out for beautiful cat photos, especially ones taken from inside with a flash. My main problems are: All my photos always have terrible "red eye" and the time between me hitting the button and the camera taking the photo is too long with my digital, I am looking for a quicker response. I am hoping that you all could tell me what type of camera you use. Thank you very much.

Happy Holidays!
BJ

[Taz_Zoee]

Well, thank you for the warnings. I guess I am safe on all counts. We have a fake tree and I never have plants in the house because Taz will eat any plant I bring in. So I guess we're safe.

About the camera, there have been SEVERAL threads in General about all kinds and brands of cameras. You could do a search and probably come up with a billion opinions.