- All doors, especially sliding doors, will break the neck or back of a cat or kitten making a fast dash for the outdoors. This is true even for cats that do not go outside. Tails can be damaged too. Before shutting (not slamming) the door, check to see where the cat is. They can appear out of nowhere in an instant.
- Automatic garage doors are also potentially fatal to a cat or kitten.
- Clothes dryers—Kittens and cats can climb into warm dryers in a split second. Never leave the door open and always take a last thorough look, especially with front-loading machines, before you close the door and start the drying cycle. The same is true for washing machines.
- Dishwashers are very interesting to cats and kittens. It only takes a second for the cat or kitten to be up on the door where a paw, leg, or neck can get hurt by the closing door.
- Exercise equipment can be a risk to cats and kittens. Make sure that cords, wheels, and all the moving pieces of your exercise equipment are “cat free” before you start your workout.
- FEET – Look out! Kittens and often times cats can be underfoot when you least expect them, possibly causing you to fall down and possibly causing the cat to suffer a broken back or bone.
- Reclining chairs—Kittens and cats can climb under the chair to find a secluded spot for a nap. If you don’t realize kitty is under the chair, kicking it into the reclined position can seriously injure or kill the cat or kitten.
- Refrigerators—Kittens have been shut in them overnight. A quickly closed refrigerator door will break a cat’s back or neck.
- Shopping bag handles, like the bags you get from Nordstrom, Macy’s or The Gap, and the grocery stores—can get wrapped around the neck of a cat or kitten and can be fatal. It may start as fun, but they can panic and become stressed, caught in the handle and then choke on the handles.
- Toilets can drown small kittens! Please keep the lids down! Tell your children to do the same.
- Under the sink, where you keep those cleaning supplies, can be a fun place for the cat or kitten to explore. Please be mindful that some cleaning supplies are lethal to cats and kittens. Keep the doors closed – and try to use natural cleaners as much as possible.
Everything is a toy to a curious cat or kitten. Avoid vet bills! Everything that a toddler can put into his mouth, nose, or ear is a risk to a kitten or cat. Rubber bands, string, ribbons, hair ties, dental floss, and yarn are all very fun for a cat but are also potentially lethal. Don’t underestimate the determination of a curious cat. Earrings and earring backs, decorative jewels on clothing or purses, caps to pens and pencils, zipper pulls, and the small parts of children’s toys are all very interesting to cats and kittens, and all can cause serious problems if eaten. Keep all small things off the floor of your house and put away in drawers and cupboards.
THIS LIST IS NOT ALL INCLUSIVE! IF YOU THINK THAT THE CAT OR KITTEN MIGHT “GET INTO IT,” HE PROBABLY WILL. PLEASE PUT THAT ITEM IN A PLACE AWAY FROM THE CAT OR KITTEN.
The most common toxic poisons to cats are antifreeze, rat poison, cleaning fluids, fertilizers, medicines and aspirin/ Ibuprofens. If a cat eats rats or mice that have been poisoned, they in turn, will be poisoned too. Quick veterinary care may save your cat.
Be ready with the following information: breed, age, sex, the cat’s symptoms, information regarding the exposure, including the agent (if known), the amount involved and the time elapsed since the time of exposure. If you can, have the product container/packaging available for reference.
Please note: If your animal is having seizures, losing consciousness, is unconscious or is having difficulty breathing, bring your cat immediately to your local veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic.
We all love plants! All that oxygen they add to our environment. But sadly, many plants that are beautiful are also highly poisonous to our pets!
If you love one of these plants and you have pets, you might want to rethink its location! Some flowers and plants that are commonly found in a home that can be poisonous to your pets are Dieffenbachia’s, Easter Lilies, Philodendrons, English Ivy, and Poinsettias.
The ASPCA has a list with pictures of over 300 plants poisonous to cats at http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/poison-control/Plants.aspx?plant_toxicity=toxic-to-cats
Also, the Cat Fancier’s Association has a list of plants that are poisonous to cats at http://www.cfainc.org/client/plants.aspx
Onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, chives, and scallions (all from the genus Allium family) are considered poisonous to dogs and cats. Ingesting these foods can damage red blood cells, and cats in particular are more susceptible to red blood cell damage than dogs. Even ingesting small amounts can be very dangerous. Also, onion powder is often added to baby food, so if you’re feeding cats baby food when they’re ill or have a sensitive stomach, be careful of this ingredient. Check the ingredient label. Signs the cat is feeling ill can take several days to show, but beware of vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and dehydration as symptoms.
Other Household Toxins
Don’t forget other household items can be toxic as well, including:
- Common household cleaning fluids
- Plant and landscaping fertilizers
- Paints and lacquers
- Rodent, ant, slug killing poisons
- Aspirin, Ibuprofens
And remember to keep all containers tightly sealed and away from animals and children!