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As a rule of thumb, if it's not safe for a young child, it's not safe
for a cat!
Toxins
Never administer medicine to your cat without veterinary
advice. It is also important to note that human medication, can be fatal
to cats. Ensure all household chemicals are stored in a safe place where
your cat can't have access to it. Many household chemicals are lethal
to cats, even in small doses.
A cat doesn't have to directly eat or drink
a toxin to become poisoned. For example if a cat lies in a garden that
has been sprayed with insecticide or weed killer traces can get on the
coat, which the cat will ingest during grooming.
Items That Are Highly
Hazardous to Cats:
Antifreeze:
Tastes sweet, commonly found in most garages, by the time your cat shows
symptoms, it's too late.
Aromatherapy oils
(some):
Never leave burning candles unsupervised. A cat can knock them over &
cause a fire.
Cheap cat toys:
Check for loose eyes, threads etc.
Drain Cleaners:
Most drain cleaners are clear like water and cats love to explore.
Food:
People sometimes make the mistake of feeding human food to their cat. This
is ok as long as you know the food is safe. Chocolate (especially
dark chocolate) should never be given to cats (or dogs). This
includes cooked chicken wings, meat with string attached, food that is
past it's use by date. Properly dispose of such items some cats have a
tendency to scavenge for discarded food in the garbage bin. It is wise
to safely dispose of medicine, chemicals & food where your cat can't
get to it.
Christmas is a busy time for vets. Many pets
become unwell after being fed too much human
food by their well meaning owners. A small treat is always welcome by
any cat, just as long as it's the right kind of food, and the cat isn't
fed too much. If in doubt about food that your cat can or can't eat, check
with your vet.
Hot Stoves:
Never leave hotplates on if you are not there to supervise. Recently my
cat positioned herself to jump up onto the stove, fortunately I was standing
next to her & managed to stop her before she jumped.
Pine Cleaning Products:
Highly toxic, so is sap from Christmas trees (also tinsel can lodge in
intestinal track, so be aware)
Toothpicks:
Cats have been known to have toothpicks get stuck in thier throat &
needed surgery to remove them.
Toilets
Young kittens can accidentally climb into them & not get out. I know
of kittens who have drowned in the toilet.
Washing machine
& dryer:
Leave the door to the washing machine & dryer closed at all times.
Before putting on a load, check in the machine to ensure your cat hasn't
snuck in. I have know of one cat who was killed in a washing machine &
heard of another cat who was tumble dried for 30 minutes. Fortunately,
the cat survived the ordeal with a few minor burns.
The following can be equally
as dangerous:
Aluminium foil
Bags
with handles
Cling Film
Dental
floss
Drugs (including
vitamin pills)
Elastic bands
Electrical
cords
Plastic
Bags
Scented oils
Sewing needles & pins
Sewing thread
String
Tinsel
Twist ties
Other Dangerous Household Chemicals:
Acetaminophen (pain killers)
Aspirin |
Fungicides
Furniture Polish |
Metal Polish
Mineral Spirits
Mothballs |
Rat/Ant Poison
Rubbing Alcohol |
Bleach
Boric Acid
Brake Fluid |
Herbicides |
Nail Polish & Remover |
Shoe Polish
Snail/Slug Bait
Suntan Lotion |
| Cleaning Fluids |
Insecticides |
Paint
Paint Remover |
Windshield Washer Fluid
Wood Preservatives |
Deodorants
Deodorizers
Disinfectants
Detergents
Dye |
Laxatives |
Photographic Chemicals |
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*To clean the floors at our cattery, I use a 1 part
bleach (Clorox is best) solution to 12 parts water plus a little dish
detergent and a lot of elbow grease.
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