Danger of Poisonous substances
Danger of Poisonous substances
In and around your house, there are many products, household objects and plants that can be detrimental to your cat. In order to safeguard your pet, check out all those things given below that can endanger him.
Keep all kinds of things that your cat can take in his mouth completely out of his way. For instance, keep string, tinsel, rubber bands away from him or he will take it in and it may get wrapped into a ball and block his intestines. Being playful, they may also get entangled with curtain rods or clothes dryer if you leave the door open and unused. To avoid such situations, you need to make your home a safe place for your cat such as:
- Latch your cupboards that contain cleaning supplies, sewing utensils and insecticides
- Don't leave holes or gaps in the wall or under kitchen cupboards and cabinets
- Make heating ducts and vents closed to kitty.
- If you have self-closing closets and cupboards, keep them closed or your cat might just make himself comfortable there.
- Close doors and windows so that they don't slam shut in a strong breeze.
- Before closing doors and leaving home, locate kitty first.
Keep cats away from:
- Hot ovens, boiling liquids and fires and fireplaces
- Electrical leads, in case they chew them
- Uncovered toilet lids which kittens can drown in
- Hearths, since cats often climb up chimneys
- Needles, plastic film and plastic bags
- Cigarettes and cellophane can also be very dangerous if eaten.
- Toys with attachments can choke your kitten.
- Electrical machines such as microwaves, washing machines, dryers, ovens dishwashers and refrigerators that they can climb into
- Carpet shampoo, which she might like to taste
Poisonous plants: Keep your cat away from these plants: House plants are popular additions to many rooms, but they may not suit kitty:
- Philodendron: If he chews or ingests it, he can have irritation of the mouth and throat and vomiting.
- Ficus: Mildly toxic, this plant can give him skin irritation and vomiting and diarrhea if he eats it.
- Mother-in-Law's Tongue: Like Ficus, it can make the cat vomit if eaten.
- Croton: This has a similar effect as Schefflera.
Considering you have a cat, take care not to have the following plants in your house as they are very toxic: Castor bean, oleander, morning glory, Japanese Yew, Jerusalem Cherry, foxglove, nightshade, Lily of the Valley, poinsettia, mistletoe, evergreens, chrysanthemums and Easter lilies.
Pesticides: Avoid using Carbaryl as this can make your cat urinate excessively. If you use chlorinated hydrocarbon, it will result in your cat vomiting due to a disrupted nervous system; Diazinon will make him breathe with difficulty; and Fenthion, meant for termites, will give him difficult breathing.
Household products and cleaners: The level of toxicity in household products is different from that of cleaners. Household products such as soaps, detergents, shampoos, alcohols, petroleum distillates and acids cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea or chemical burns, leading to organ damage. Other household products you should avoid include alcoholic beverages, batteries, deodorant, dishwasher detergent, mothballs, nail polish, metal polish, potpourri oils, shoe polish, toilet bowl cleaners, etc.
If you take care of your cat to this extent, he should be safe and healthy, with no worries about him ever eating stuff he shouldn't.