A Safe Home

Is your home pet-safe? Read this list and make sure there are no hazards that could get in the way of your pet’s safety and health:

• Be aware of the plants you have in your house and in your yard. The ingestion of a poisonous plant can be fatal (ex: aloe vera, azalea, dieffenbachia, croton, geranium, dracaena, kalanchoe, hemp, spider plant, poinsettia, onion, tomato plant, rhododendron, cyclamen, philodendron, …). For a more complete list of dangerous kitty plants, consult your vet.
  
  
• Make sure all poisonous household items are securely stored out of the kitten’s reach. Cleaning solutions such as disinfectants, drain cleaners, laundry detergents and bleach have a variety of properties. Some may only cause a mild stomach upset, while others could cause severe burns of the tongue, mouth, and stomach.
  
  
• Never give your cat any medication unless under the directions of a veterinarian. Many medications that are used safely in humans can cause an overdose and/or be deadly when used inappropriately. Medicines should be stored out of the reach of pets.
  
  
• Never leave chocolate unattended. Approximately one half (½) ounce (14 g) or less of baking chocolate per pound (0.45 kg) of body weight can cause poisoning.
  
  
• Sharp objects such as knives and forks, paper clips, carpet tacks, pins should be kept out of a cat's reach. Children's toys and small objects may attract a playful pet and become lodged in its mouth or swallowed. Although kittens are sometimes pictured with a ball of yarn, a playful kitten and yarn may add up to danger. If ingested, yarn as well as thread and twine could cause serious damage to the intestinal tract.
  
  
• When treating your lawn or garden with fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides, always keep your animals away from the area until it dries completely. Always store such products securely and out of reach.
  
  
• All automotive products, such as oil, gasoline, and antifreeze, should be stored properly. Many pets are attracted to the sweet taste of antifreeze containing the chemical propylene glycol which is highly toxic to cats. As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze can be deadly to a 3 kilogram cat.
  
  
• Do your best to keep electric wiring out of the pet's sight and reach. Exposed lamp cords and other wires should be kept as short as possible. If extension cords are used, mount them against a baseboard so they cannot be played with or chewed.