Household Hazards to Your Cat
Most cat owners are well aware of the most obvious hazards to a cat. For example, the common Christmas Poinsettia is extremely toxic and to be entirely avoided. What about those gorgeous scented oils and potpourris filling various bowls and containers? Those can be just as deadly too. The average household can be one full of toxins and dangers that a cat and its owners are entirely unaware of until it is too late. It is a good idea to take a look at each room in the home to perform an assessment of its potential risks.
Out of all rooms most likely to cause problems, the kitchen is the chief culprit. This is because it contains food and cleaners that can all lead to digestive upset or even serious medical conditions that cause death. Consider the carcass of a recently cooked chicken; the fatty deposits and the bones left in the pan are going to be extremely tempting, but they can also lead to choking, puncture of the esophagus or intestines and serious digestive irritation. For such reasons it is important to always follow a regular plan for cat-proofing the kitchen after preparing food as this is really the only way to eliminate such risks.
Of course most cat owners will have to deal with cats leaping up on the counters, and while this might be something a cat can be trained to avoid, they cannot be told the difference between stable and safe surfaces and those that might bring them harm. The standard kitchen counter might have knives, the residue of cleansers, and other potentially harmful materials in direct line with a cat’s landing point. For this reason it is also important to follow a regular protocol for securing the kitchen throughout each day.
The next thing to consider, whether in the kitchen or anywhere else, is power cords and outlets. Cords can be incredibly tempting to the average cat, and even a single good chomp on a line can lead to electrocution. For this reason it is always a good idea to hide cords whenever possible, and to regularly inspect lines to see if kitty has been entertaining him or herself with a few playful nips on the power cord.
Lastly, one of the areas of the home that is not often considered a bit hazardous, but which is a place of many sad endings is the family bathroom. Everything from small pieces of jewelry, prescription medicine, and dental floss can lead to a serious digestive issue for a cat, and the bathroom should face the same sort of scrutiny as the kitchen to ensure absolute safety.
