Your home is filled with all kinds of hazards, whether you realise it or not. Luckily, you can prevent many problems from occurring by simply being aware of potential dangers and taking appropriate steps to protect your cat. Here are a few common, yet potentially deadly, household items and products that cause big trouble for our curious feline chums.
Plants
Certain plant species are deadly to cats but perhaps none more so than lilies. Nibbling on the leaf or flower of Easter, stargazer or tiger lilies — all popular flowers included in bouquets — is enough to induce kidney failure in cats, says Steven Hansen, a board-certified veterinary toxicologist. Don’t be afraid to beautify your home with greenery, though. Just make sure it’s the non-toxic kind.
Cleaning Supplies
Pick your cleaning products wisely. Chemicals that disinfect, or those that remove lime and scale from showers and tubs, tend to be much more harmful than mild soap-based cleaners, says Dr Hansen. If your cat licks an area sprayed with one of these caustic substances, it can burn its tongue. As a result, your cat may stop eating and drinking for several days, which, in turn, may lead to liver-related problems. If a significant quantity is swallowed, it can be outright toxic. When cleaning the bathroom or another area with strong chemicals, shut the door to prevent your pet from entering. If you spill cleaning solution on the floor, wipe it up immediately.
Electric Cords
Cord chewing is a year-round hazard, occasionally resulting in burnt mouths. Worse yet, in some cats, electric shock triggers fluid buildup in the lungs, called pulmonary oedema, a condition that’s fatal if not treated immediately, says Drew Weigner, DVM, a board-certified cat specialist. If your cat has a fetish for electrical cords, encase the cords in sturdy protective tubing. Bitter sprays are also available to go over cord protectors.
Small Objects
Ingestion of items like bottle caps, coins, thread and dental floss are all too common in cats and may cause intestinal blockages, says Dr Weigner. String is a particular hazard, he says, because it can cut through the intestine, causing an infection of the abdominal lining that’s usually fatal in cats. Common sense prevails, however. Be vigilant about putting away small objects and keeping them out of your cat’s reach.
Prescription Drugs
Pill bottles quickly turn into toys for cats, which love batting them around. But if they pop open, your cat might eat the contents inside. Some human medications are toxic to animals, so keep containers off counter tops and securely stored in a cabinet or drawer. If your feline is also on medication, avoid mix-ups by keeping the vials in separate places. Most veterinary hospitals use odd-coloured bottles with different labels to human pharmacies to prevent such mishaps.
Kittens Need Extra Monitoring
All cat owners should be aware of potential household dangers, but kitten owners in particular need to be extra careful, says Dr Weigner. Because kittens love to explore, and usually get themselves into trouble, he recommends keeping kittens under six months of age confined to one room with food, water and a litter tray when you are not at home.
In general, the best way to keep cats out of harm’s way is to treat them like you would a small child, he says. “By taking the same types of precautions you would for toddlers, you’re going to go a long way in taking good care of your cats and keeping them safe.”
