Cats have a curious nature and this very curiosity often leads them towards trouble. Pet cats are known to explore their homes looking for “interesting” things they can play with or consume.
This is where you need to step in as a responsible cat parent. To ensure your cat remains safe whilst enjoying a relative degree of freedom, you need to keep all the dangerous items out of your pet’s reach. To help you get started, the following are 5 items found in most homes that are poisonous to cats.
Acetaminophen
Vets sometimes prescribe certain human medications for cats. However, that doesn’t mean that all human meds are safe for your feline friend. Some can kill in extremely low doses. One of those medications is Acetaminophen (Tylenol). A single 325mg tablet is enough to cause extreme anemia and in certain cases, it can even lead to death. Long story short, you should never experiment giving human medication to your pet unless specifically prescribed by the vet. Even if the medication is safe, you can always mess up the dose and cause your pet to experience severe side effects. If you are treating a minor health issue find OTC medications for cats online or better yet ask a vet.
Certain Types of Indoor Plants
Have you ever seen your cat munching on a blade of grass? Then you already know their affinity to have leafy greens plucked fresh out of the wild. The problem lies in the fact that a lot of indoor plants are actually highly toxic to cats. Here are some examples of plants that can lead to severe toxic reactions.
- Sago Palm (Extremely Toxic)
- Spanish Thyme
- Marijuana Plant
- Lilies
- Tulip
- English Ivy
- Rhododendrons
- Yew
- Pothos Vine
- Castor Beans
- Chrysanthemum
This is by no means an exhaustive list of plants that are toxic to cats. To be sure, always research a plant before bringing it indoors.
Batteries
Why would a cat consume a battery? Well, in normal circumstances it probably won’t. However, a cylindrical battery rolling in the ground may get your cat curious. It can easily become a plaything that your cat paws and chases around the house. In the heat of the chase, cats can pick up the rolling battery causing it to leak dangerous toxic chemicals.
Amongst all of these chemicals, lead is undoubtedly the most dangerous. Lead toxicity in cats can also result from lead-contaminated food and water.
Ethylene Glycol or Antifreeze
Even a small teaspoon of antifreeze is enough to kill a healthy adult cat. Cars often drip antifreeze and they have a sweet smell that makes them seem appetizing to dogs and cats. Apart from cars, ethylene glycol is also available in a number of other items such as certain cosmetic products and polishes.
If consumed, your cat can experience vomiting and in severe cases, it can even lead to kidney failure. Keep all chemical-laden products away from your cat. It’s also important to restrict your cat’s movement so it cannot sneak inside the garage unsupervised.
Moth Balls
It’s highly advisable to stop using mothballs if you have pet cats at home. A rogue naphthalene ball can seem enticing to a cat. If consumed it almost always lead to a life-threatening toxic reaction.