Mary Allen
If you have cats, then this headline will definitely give you a lot of ideas that fall under this category. We have therefore endeavored to list dangers that may not be so obvious and could therefore be forgotten. Because even such carelessness can end badly.
“Tilt Window Syndrome”
Unfortunately, the tilting window problem, as it is now called by veterinarians, is still far too common. The owner inadvertently leaves a window open to air out a bit. By the time he comes back into the room, it may already be too late.
Cats are naturally curious and know “if my head goes through, I’ll go through it completely”. This statement is generally true, but with tilting windows, there is a great danger that the cat will lose its footing “in the window” and slip into the opening between the frame and the window. As she tries to free herself, she slides lower and lower, which can lead to serious injuries or, in the worst case, death. If you find your cat in such a situation, you should free it as quickly as possible – armed with gloves. This protects you from injuries from the panicked cat and the whole rescue operation goes faster. After that, you absolutely have to go to the vet because your tiger could have sustained internal injuries that are not visible from the outside. This can be remedied by special tilting window locks that are simply mounted on the frame.
Unsecured Windows and Balconies
Just as dangerous as tilted windows can be balconies or unsecured, completely open windows. Cats are known to be climbers and a windowsill or balcony railing generally does not pose a challenge. But even the greatest acrobats can get frightened, lose their balance, and fall, for example. Therefore, such sources of danger should always be secured with a net or grid. Incidentally, ask the landlord before attaching it, “cat nets” are often only permitted over balconies on the back of the house.
Open Toilets and Bathtubs
Although cats are generally not so fond of water, there are some specimens who love water. Each water source is extensively studied and confiscated. However, a dripping faucet is a different matter than an open toilet. Small kittens in particular are at risk of slipping off the edge and falling into the bowl. But since there is nowhere to stand, they can no longer get out on their own, and in the worst case, they will slip down the toilet pipe and drown. It’s similar to bathtubs, cats can’t just get out of there on their own. Cats can swim, but kittens in particular lose their strength quickly. So: Always close the toilet lid and don’t leave full tubs unattended.
Hot Stoves and Open Fires
The opposite element and its occurrence in the household can also be fatal to cats. Hotplates in particular are a major risk of injury. Most of the time cats will not be banned from moving on the kitchen counter and stovetops are no exception. So it quickly comes to burned paws or hot noses, because the cat wanted to look into the pots. It is, therefore, best not to have the cats in the kitchen while cooking, and under no circumstances should they be left there alone when the plates are still on and hot. Incidentally, if the plates are switched off but still hot, you can simply place a pot with cold water on the plate: danger averted.
The situation is similar with open fires such as candles or fireplaces: many a curious cat has singed its whiskers here. It can also get worse: there are cases, for example, in which a cat’s tail has been ignited by sparks from the fireplace and it has then run under the bed in a panic. This can quickly result in whole house fires.
Toxic Plants
The perennial favorite among household cat hazards. Because contrary to all claims, indoor cats in particular no longer know which plants are harmful to them. Curiosity drives them to nibble, which can quickly end badly if they catch a poisonous plant. It doesn’t even have to be potted plants, cut flowers are also a risk: Even if they are not poisonous, they have often been treated with chemical preservative agents. Incidentally, some of the most common poisonous plants are ivy, azalea, various lilies, lily of the valley, and poinsettia. A suggestion for goodness: offer cat grass.
Medications, Cleaning Supplies, etc.
The same rules apply here as are used with small children: everything chemical (including medicines) should be kept out of the reach of cats. Even if it “only” gets on the cat’s fur, it is harmful because the cat ingests it through its tongue when cleaning. The well-loved tea tree oil is also a risk: it can now be found in cosmetics, medicines, and aroma lamps, but it is harmful to our house tigers in any form. It can lead to serious poisoning and should therefore never be used to combat fleas or as an educational measure for marking.
Washing Machine and Dryer
These household appliances can also become a death trap for your cats. If the doors remain open, cats find a protected, dark cave here where they like to withdraw. But if you want to do a quick wash, throw the laundry in the machine, and switch it on immediately, you can quickly overlook the cat. Therefore, always check both the washing machine and the dryer before switching them on or, ideally, always keep the doors closed.
Other Dangers for Cats in the Home
A few more foods for thought from us so that all sources of danger are ticked off: Open power cables and heavy objects that can be pulled down on cables; small parts and woolen threads that can cause choking or intestinal obstruction; slamming doors; chocolate lying around (highly toxic to our house tigers) and glass containers that are thrown down and the shards of which could seriously cut the cat. If a cat owner is vigilant, all of these risks can be eliminated in the first place. For a happy, vital, and long cat life.