Mary Allen
Our little velvet paws are many things, but above all they are curious. Therefore, be sure to pay attention to these 10 everyday household hazards that could easily be fatal to your cat.
Cabinets
In our article on cats’ favorite places, one thing becomes clear above all: cats love to hide. Dark, cozy places are ideal for your little darling to feel safe.
However, these places can also quickly become dangerous if the cat is locked inside. So if your cat loves closets, dressers, or other cavernous retreats, be careful not to lock them inside.
Alternatively, create a safe haven for the cat that is similarly snuggly. Cuddly caves are z. B. very well accepted by most animals.
Washing machine
It’s a similar story with the washing machine, which, with its cavernous drum, is also a favorite retreat for cats. However, there is of course an even greater danger with the next wash cycle.
Therefore, always make sure to keep the washing machine closed or check the drum before you start washing to avoid a rude awakening!
Shards, plastic, and wool
It should be clear that shards are not good for humans or cats. However, it is important for our furry roommates to clean them particularly thoroughly. Even fine glass dust can be dangerous if your cat licks it off its paws during the cleaning ritual. Therefore, always vacuum the floor particularly thoroughly if you have had a mishap.
However, other things that initially appear much more harmless can also be dangerous: with plastic bags, for example, there is a risk of suffocation. So don’t leave packaging lying around carelessly.
Even the popular ball of wool can be harmful if your house cat swallows too many threads of wool: they can get tangled in the intestines like your own hair and then have to be surgically removed.
Food lying around
While not all foods are bad for your cat, there are some dangers that you may not have anticipated. You can read about exactly what they are and what makes them so harmful in our article on the subject: These foods are toxic to cats.
This includes chocolate and other sweets. But garlic, onions, avocados, or grapes also contain substances that can harm your house cat, which is why you should remove them from the fruit basket at home as soon as possible.
Unsecured windows and balconies
Windows and balconies can quickly become a hazard, especially in a high-up apartment. Particularly important: Avoid tilted windows! They can quickly become a death trap if your curious darling tries to climb through the narrow gap.
Unfortunately, the fur of the elegant velvet paws often hides how narrow they actually are. In the worst case, your pet will slip and become trapped, causing panic and serious injury. If you still want to tilt your window, you should definitely install a protective grille.
It is similar to balconies, which is why you should install bars or a cat net. Unfortunately, it can always happen that your little hunter gets distracted by a bird or something else, or slips off the parapet while jumping and is seriously injured in the subsequent fall.
Toxic plants
Even the potted plant can pose a threat to your velvet paw. The culprits are the numerous fertilizers and pesticides that are often added to cultivated plants.
Exotic plants such as chrysanthemums or poinsettias are particularly dangerous because they are sometimes treated with substances that are dangerous for cats. That’s why you should definitely train your darling to nibble on the plants with the help of a clicker and treats.
You should also keep watering cans with water to which non-organic fertilizer has been added or the water bowls under potted plants out of your cat’s reach so that he doesn’t take a sip of water from them between meals.
Potted plants such as azaleas or begonias are toxic to your cat even without fertilizer. So it’s better to play it safe and avoid these plants.
Detergents
If you’re obsessed with cleaning, you may need to reconsider. Unfortunately, cleaning agents are not particularly healthy for our velvet paws either.
Pay attention to the instructions on the packaging. If it is said that the products should be kept out of the reach of children because they are corrosive or irritating, they are also not for cats.
If you have to use such cleaning agents, make absolutely sure that your cat is in another room until the agent has been processed. Otherwise, she can get chemical burns if she licks some off the floor! Of course, the smell is anything but nice for a cat’s delicate nose.
Incense sticks and scented oils
If you like an oriental atmosphere, you should make sure that your velvet paw is not in the same room when you spread your favorite aroma with incense sticks or scented oils.
Such scents are often synthetic and are created by chemical substances that are pure poison for cats. If the four-legged friends now breathe in the scents or curiously nibble on the incense sticks, it can quickly become uncomfortable.
Cinnamon oil, thyme oil, and oregano oil are among the things that are toxic to cats. Tea tree oil, which is unfortunately said to be suitable for fighting fleas, is also particularly dangerous. However, the terpenes and phenols it contains can cause severe poisoning, so you should never use them to put your cat off any particular place or object.
Medicines for humans
What helps people is not always good for cats. So don’t get the idea of giving your cat headache pills, laxatives for constipation, or anything similar.
If you have any symptoms, talk to your veterinarian and have your cat prescribe a product for animals. Agents such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can cause severe organ damage and internal bleeding even in the smallest doses.
Even simple dietary supplements or the popular chamomile bath for sticky eyes are not suitable for cats. You should also avoid garlic as a deterrent smell against pests, as it is one of the foods that are poisonous to cats.
Cigarette smoke
Smoking not only leads to a higher risk of illness in humans but also in our furry roommates. A cat in a smoking household is twice as likely to develop cancer. This is made worse if there is a lot of smoking in the apartment by several people or in general.
Your darling takes in the toxic smoke not only through the respiratory tract but also through its fur when cleaning itself.
So go to the balcony to smoke or make sure that your velvet paw is not in the same room until you have aired it properly.
We wish you and your cat a nice and safe time together!