The home is where the heart is, right?
Maybe for humans, but for indoor cats, the home is where the litter box, food dish, water bowl, cuddles, and head scratches are. That’s where they feel most comfortable.
But just because they feel safe, doesn’t mean they necessarily are safe.
They might have everything they need inside the home, but things can go south in a hurry if your furry friend gets too curious. And let’s be honest – we all know what they say about curiosity and the cat!
Maintaining a Safe Environment for Cats
If you were to welcome a new child into the house, one of the first things you would do is child-proof the home. Outlet covers, protective padding on corners, safety latches, baby gates – the whole nine yards.
Before you say anything – no, I’m not comparing raising a child to raising a cat.
I am, however, saying that cat-proofing the house is just as important as child-proofing the house.
You might not think about it often, but your home is full of dangerous, hazardous, toxic, and harmful objects that put your cat at risk of injury, disease, and illness – some of which could result in death.
Obviously, we want to avoid those things at all costs – so let’s go over some of the most common household hazards for cats and what you can do to ensure your cat lives a long, happy, and healthy life.
1. Plants
Plants are a common household decoration that can be found in just about every room of the house. What most cat owners don’t understand is how toxic they can be when ingested – even in small amounts.
Believe it or not, there are more than 400 plants identified as toxic to cats.
For example, lilies are some of the most toxic plants for cats and can prove to be fatal if ingested. In fact, simply licking the pollen off a lily (or off your cat’s fur) can result in kidney failure in less than three days.
Other common household plants to keep away from cats include poinsettias, oleanders, aloe plants, jade plants, sago palms, daffodils, tulips, philodendrons, hydrangeas, hyacinths, mistletoes, and amaryllises.
Instead, decorate your home with cat grass, spider and valerian plants, and catnip – all of which are safe.
2. Medications
Having medication in the house is always encouraged (and sometimes mandatory), but cat owners are going to want to keep them in the medicine cabinet if they want to prevent the risk of illness or poisoning.
Keep in mind that, to a cat, most medication looks a lot like a treat – and they will gobble it up if found.
Some of the most common human medications to keep away from cats include Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Aspirin, other types of NSAIDs, supplements (vitamins), and antidepressants.
As a general rule of thumb, only give your cat medication if first approved by your veterinarian.
In fact, even flea medication for dogs is toxic to cats and should be avoided at all costs. To be safe, make sure you keep your cat away from your dog for 24 hours anytime they get a dose of flea medication.
3. Chemicals
We use chemicals for just about everything these days. Cleaning agents, pest control products, gardening and lawn care products, auto detailing, home maintenance – some of these chemicals get used daily!
Whether you have an indoor or outdoor cat, be mindful of where and when you use these chemicals.
That includes insecticides, pesticides, fertilizers, weed killers, molluscicides, detergents, disinfectants, bleach, chlorine, paint thinners, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, ethylene glycol antifreeze, and much more.
And since cats are curious creatures, make sure you store them far away and out of reach of your cat.
4. Human Food
As tempting as it is to give your cat a human treat, there are certain foods that pose a threat to your furry friend – and giving your cat the wrong treat can result in a trip to the vet that could’ve been avoided.
Here are some of the most hazardous foods for cats:
Raisins, grapes, onions, avocados, chocolate, garlic, meat bones, milk and dairy products, chives, alcohol, and anything that contains xylitol – an artificial sweetener found in most candy, gum, and mints.
As a general rule of thumb, stick to cat-friendly treats marketed exclusively for cats.
In the event you want to give your cat a human treat, give them cooked meat (chicken, beef, turkey), cucumber, steamed broccoli, carrots, bananas, blueberries, cantaloupe, watermelon, or brown rice.
5. Cords, String, Cables, & Wires
Cats have an extreme fascination with cords, string, cables, wires, thread, and anything that might look similar. In fact, some of their favorite toys – like their feather wand or pom pom balls – feature a string.
Your cat might love it, but that’s because they don’t know how dangerous they can be.
Not only do they run the risk of getting tangled in them, but they can also wreak havoc on their intestines if swallowed and even result in electric shock – especially if they’re playing with a cord that’s plugged in.
Hair ties, rubber bands, tinsel, and dental floss can also cause internal damage if swallowed.
While it’s not always possible to keep these things 100% out of reach, it’s important that we make an effort to reduce the risk wherever and whenever possible – especially when leaving the cat home alone.
