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Curiosity killed
the cat. Unfortunately the famous saying has a leg to stand
on in reality. Cats are indeed curious and their curiosity
can get them into trouble. This is especially true of
kittens, although some cats remain extremely curious
throughout their life.
It is up to you, the responsible cat owner, to make sure
that your cat's curiosity doesn't land her in
life-threatening situations. IT is up to you to keep your
cat's living environment as hazard-free as possible.
Kitty-proofing your home involves many measures, not all of
them covered in this article. Hopefully, some of guidelines
presented here will help you keep your cat safe.
Here are ten simple tips to help you make your home safer
for your resident feline(s). This is by no means a
comprehensive cat safety guide, only a few pointers.
Keep your windows screened at all times. Never assume that
your kitty will be able to keep her balance on the window
sill. Even the most agile of cats is bound to take a
dangerous fall given enough trips to an unsecured window
sill.
Always keep your cat ID'ed. You never know when your
indoors-only cat will somehow get outside unsupervised. A
cat collar with a clear ID tag that contains your name,
phone number and a request to call that number if the cat is
ever found outdoors, can truly save your cat's life and
bring her back to you.
Refrigerate canned cat food within minutes of opening the
can. Cat food can go bad quickly when left outside on a hot
day and cause a food poisoning. Never leave moist food out
for more than half an hour. Any leftovers should be removed
and refrigerated.
Stir cat food that was heated in the microwave and make sure
the food isn't too hot. Microwave-heated food can have hot
spots hidden inside and these could easily give your cat a
nasty burn.
Store poisons away from the cat's reach. Make sure that
poisons, such as detergents and medicine, are securely
locked away behind latched doors. Detergent bottles, even
when tightly shut, can have drips of poisonous content over
them. A cat rubbing against them could end up licking poison
off her coat.
Triple check appliances where your cat may hide. Stories of
cats caught in a washing machine or a dryer aren't just
urban legends. Don't allow these appliances to become
playing or resting areas. Keep their doors shut when not in
use. And when you do use them, always triple check before
running them!
Keep sharp utensils away from your cat's reach. A sharp
knife can cut a curious tongue or paw, if left on the table
or counter, still covered in tempting gravy.
Clear your house of anything that your cat might ingest.
Hobbies that involve threads, needles, glue and small pieces
can turn your home into a kitty minefield. Especially when
dealing with active kittens, make sure that anything that
might be ingested is out of reach.
Keep your toilet lid closed when not in use. If you have a
kitten in your home, you could be saving her from jumping in
and drowning. An older cat may be tempted to drink from the
toilet water. Not only gross, but a risk of ingesting some
of the disinfectants used in toilets.
Remove poisonous plants form your home. Check lists of
plants that are toxic to cats and simply take those out of
your home. While not all cats nibble on greenery, it's best
to avoid the risk, especially when bringing home a new cat
or kitten.
The most basic safety rule is to keep your eyes open and
look around. If you see anything that may endanger your cat,
think on ways to eliminate the danger. Prevention is
everything when it comes to safety.
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