There are many products, plants and common household objects that can pose a danger to your cats. PandEcats.com has compiled three extensive lists of dangers that you must be aware of in order to safeguard your cat. Please take the time to review all three lists.
A cat will swallow a wide variety of objects that cannot pass through its digestive tract - a condition that often may require surgery to correct. Cats have barbs on their tongues and the roofs of their mouths that all point backwards. If a piece of string or tinsel gets in their mouths while playing, it's very difficult for them to spit it out. Long pieces of string, yarn, tinsel or rubber bands can end up tied tightly around tongues or may end up wrapped in a ball and blocking the intestines. Cats and especially kittens can become too inquisitive or playful, and become entangled in hanging things such as curtain cords or can become inadvertently locked in a clothes dryer if you leave the door open when not in use. In the same way that you childproof your home, so must you cat-proof for the safety of your feline friend.
- Put childproof latches on cupboards containing cleaning supplies, insecticides, and sewing utensils.
- Cover holes, gaps or crevices in walls, in-between or beneath kitchen cupboards, cabinets and closets.
- Also, make sure heating ducts and vents inaccessible.
- Make sure self-closing closets and cupboards don't contain a kitten!
- Make sure doors or windows can't slam shut in a draft.
- Before closing doors (garage to house, basement, closets, etc.) know where your kitten is.
Objects Your Cat May Find Dangerous
Cellophane Dental Floss Elastic Bands Garbage Bag Contents |
Heavy Objects that can be knocked off Counters Pull tabs from pop cans Reclining Chairs Saran Wrap Tin Foil Venetian Blinds
|
|
Listed below are some of the plants that can be harmful to your cats. Special care must be taken that your cat does not have the opportunity to chew on any of the plants on this list.
Note that many of the common holiday plants are a danger to your cat: Poinsettia, Mistletoe, Evergreens, Chrysanthemums and Easter Lilies to name just a few.
If you suspect your cat has been poisoned by a plant or chemical, consult a veterinarian or poison center immediately. Be sure to take a leaf of the plant or the product container with you to the vet for identification.
The Cornell Poisonous Plants Home Page shows you what these plants look like and explains the chemical toxins that each plant contains.
Alfalfa
Baby's Breath Cabbage
Daffodil
|
Easter Lily Ferns Geranium Hahn's Self-Branching Ivy Indian Rubber Plant Jack in the Pulpit Kalanchoe Lacy Tree Philodendron Madagascar Dragon Tree
|
Narcissus Oleander
Peace Lily Red Emerald Saddle Leaf Philodendron Tansy Mustard Virginia Creeper Water Hemlock Yellow Star Thistle |
Common Household Products Harmful to Your Cat
Listed below are some of the common household products that can be harmful to your cats. Cats are often very susceptible to poisoning because they lick themselves when they come into contact with products and so are more likely to ingest substances than a dog. If your cat eats any of these products, take him immediately to your veterinarian. Bring the container of the product with you. Also check out the National Animal Poison Control Center
Acetaminophen Bleach Chocolate Deodorizers
|
Fabric Dye Gasoline Insecticide Laxatives Metal Polish Nail Polish
|
Photographic Developer Rodent Bait Shoe Polish Weed Killer |
NOTE: The lists contained on this web page are by no means all-conclusive. Check with you veterinarian for more information about plants and substances that are harmful to cats. We hope you and your cat never have a problem :-)
*these lists were compliled by L. D. Hawke, H. Spear, and E. Knight,
who would like to thank all the contributers to many lists
on the many websites from which these lists were gathered