A
Cat's Environment -
Making your Home & Garden Safe
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As responsible
and conscientious pet owners, we all try to do whatever we
can in order to keep our companions safe and free from harm.
We see the debate of whether a cat should be kept strictly
indoors at all times versus letting a cat roam the garden or
yard area outside occurring frequently. There are
differences among cultures, but the best way to determine
what is best for you and your cat is to identify potential
threats or dangers in both your home and your yard and then
make an educated decision on what you should allow.
If your home is located nearby a busy road or if your
neighbors have dogs allowed to roam at large, these are
clearly dangers to outdoor cats. It is easy to identify the
obvious risks outside, but there are serious threats to
indoor-only cats as well and it is best to periodically make
an inspection of your home to identify and eradicate these
dangers. Let’s explore a few of the more common areas of
risk:
Garage
Garages and
garden sheds are usually storages places for common
household/lawn/garden chemicals that pose a serious threat
to pets, so unless you’ve converted your garage to a living
area, then it is probably best to designate it as a
'Cat-Free Zone'. Anti-freeze is particularly deadly and is
doubly dangerous because of its sweet taste. It is best not
to allow access to any areas used to contain dangerous
poisons or chemicals, but if you must, then be absolutely
certain to immediately clean up any spilled anti-freeze or
other chemical and the keep floor thoroughly clean and free
from hazardous substances.
Home Appliances and
Electronics
As we become more and more dependant upon convenience
appliances, we introduce more electrical cords to our homes.
Cords of any type are a hazard to cats, because their
curious nature causes them to investigate, chew and play
with them. There are many ways to minimize the risk;
consider buying cord management systems or tape cords
together with electrical tape and then fasten them out of
reach. Don’t forget about the phone cords.
Windows
All windows should have a sturdy mesh insect screen that can
lock into place. Hardware-mesh screen is preferable, as cats
have been known to claw through the smaller, more fragile
screening materials.
Cats enjoy batting around cords from hanging blinds. The
danger is that they can get tangled up and choke. Be sure to
either anchor the cords or tie them up out of reach.
Curtains and drapes that hang to the floor are a particular
enticement for cats. They may try to climb to the top and
unless the curtain or drapery rods are secure, this could
lead to a nasty fall and potentially serious injury.
Home/Office
Many common household or even home office-type supplies pose
a serious risk to cats. Items such as rubber bands, paper
clips, thumbtacks and pushpins should be closed away in
containers that are then placed inside a drawer or cabinet.
If you also have children, items such as balloons, small
toys or parts of games should be kept well away and out of
reach of the furry kids. During the Holidays, most of us
like to make our homes beautiful with decorations, but tree
tinsel and other small decorative articles are irresistible
to cats. A good rule to follow is to put away anything you
wouldn’t want a toddler to find – this will keep your cats
safe as well.
Kitchen / Bathroom
Kitchen cabinets are another danger zone. You can secure
them by placing child-safety bands or other security devices
on cabinets where you keep bleach, detergent, cleaning
supplies or other such dangerous household chemicals. In the
bathroom, make certain that all personal hygiene products
including dental floss are secured. Remember to wrap used
floss in a tissue and discard into a bin with a tight cover
to prevent accidental ingestion. Cats love a warm,
comfortable environment and cabinets provide that to them.
By using a little common sense and thinking like a cat, you
can rest assured that your little sweeties won’t be into
anything they shouldn’t be playing with.
Decorations / Jewelry
Do not leave fragile items such as vases, candleholders,
anything made of glass, or jewelry, especially small earring
or necklaces sitting around on tables or counters accessible
to cats. Glass items can be knocked over and broken, thus
resulting in a potential deep wound. Most cats are very
curious by nature and if they find an interesting, shiny
earring or necklace, they will chew on such things, often
swallowing them and causing major problems.
Laundry Room
Laundry appliances are especially dangerous for cats &
kittens. Cat love to snuggle up in warm places. Because of
that, be sure to always close your clothes washer and dryer
doors so as to keep your furry friends out and to be certain
that no one has escaped your vigilant notice, do a
head-count before turning on your laundry appliances. Always
unplug your steam iron and make certain the ironing board is
secured to avoid an accident.
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