Keeping Kitty Safe at Home
This is from Catage.com:
The majority of pet poisonings occur in the home. Cat-proof your place as if a toddler were present.
Household cleaners labeled nontoxic, or products like dryer sheets and salt for icy sidewalks, can be dangerous to cats. Antifreeze has a taste that is attractive to cats, but ingesting as little as a teaspoon can be deadly. Isolate your cat in another room when you are using cleaning products, especially concentrated detergents. These pose risks to cats when they taste them or walk through the chemicals and then clean their paws and fur.
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Feline Safety—Cat-Proofing Your Home
Cats are naturally inquisitive and playful, so it's important to eliminate any potential indoor dangers before they get their paws on them. Hanging cords, electrical wires, and anything small enough to be swallowed can be hazardous to your cat's health and should be kept out of reach at all times. Windows should always be closed or properly screened to avoid accidental falls or runaway cats.
Other common potential dangers at home include:
Foods: Chocolate and coffee are not the only kitchen items dangerous to your cat. Improperly stowed garbage can harbor dangerous bacteria and toxins, as well as choking hazards such as discarded chicken bones. Read more about off-limits people foods.
Plants: If you suspect your cat has eaten part of a poisonous plant, immediately bring your cat to the veterinarian. If possible, provide a sample of the plant to assist with identification. For a comprehensive list of toxic plants for pets, visit the ASPCA.
Medicines: Never give your cat medicine without first consulting your vet. Human medicine, even in small doses, can be potentially fatal to cats. Flea treatments intended for dogs are also dangerous. Never use canine flea treatments on cats.
Garages: With its sweet flavor, antifreeze is a common cause of feline poisoning. Oil, gasoline, and other spills should be cleaned up immediately, and cars should be checked regularly for leaks. Fertilizers, cleaning supplies, insect traps and bait, pesticides, and paints all present dangers to your cat. Keep all containers tightly sealed and out of reach, and be sure to clean spills immediately.
Yards: Cats who walk or play on pesticide- or fertilizer-treated lawns can be poisoned via consumption or skin absorption. For this reason, treated lawns should be off limits to pets until they are deemed safe. Check your lawn-care products for specific safety instructions. If you suspect your cat has had external contact with a poisonous substance, whether it's fertilizer, insecticide, or other outdoor poison, it is important to bathe your cat thoroughly and immediately.
Additional household items that are highly toxic even in low quantities include potpourri, pennies, mothballs, fabric softener sheets, automatic dish detergents, toilet water, batteries, homemade play dough, and all forms of nicotine.
For more information on toxins and pets, visit the National Animal Poison Control Center.
