Which Household Items Can Be Dangerous for Cats?

Cats are born explorers when it comes to the things around the house! Sometimes we’d never think a particular object could catch their interest, and yet there they are. It only takes a moment and the cat is already at it. 

There are many substances and objects that are dangerous for cats. 

Which items are particularly dangerous? 

1. Plants. Some plants, such as lilies, philodendrons, azaleas, ivy, daffodils, tulips, peace lilies and schefflera, can be toxic to cats if eaten.
2. Chemical products. All sorts of chemicals, such as cleaning products, flea treatments, insecticides, fertilisers, paints and solvents, can be toxic to cats.
3. Medicines. Some human medicines, particularly painkillers, anti-inflammatories and antibacterial drugs, are toxic to cats.
4. Foods. Some foods considered safe for people can be toxic to cats, such as chocolate, onions, garlic, alcohol, coffee, macadamia nuts, avocado, xylitol and dairy products.
5. Wires and threads. Cats may be drawn to wires (curtain wire, for instance), cotton and threads, which can irritate their digestive tract or lead to serious health problems. Take particular care with threads that have needles attached!!! These can be swallowed too. 
6. Tick treatments for dogs. If you also have a dog, make sure its tick treatment stays well out of your cat’s reach, as it is lethally poisonous to cats. 
7. If there are children in the house, all small objects, such as Lego bricks, should be tidied away straight away so the cat doesn’t get to them first! 

Coat care and digestive problems

A less obvious threat to your cat’s health is its own fur, which it licks every day while grooming. This hair can clump into a ball in the digestive tract, and that is a serious problem. One of the most important parts of caring for your cat’s coat is regular brushing. It removes dead hair, prevents matting and stimulates the cat’s circulation. Choose the right brush for your cat, for example a soft brush for long hair or a nubbed grooming glove for short hair. Bear in mind that some cats need even more intensive coat care, so it is worth consulting your vet to work out the best brushing routine.

Contact with toxic substances 

 If you suspect your cat has come into contact with a toxic substance or object, contact the Zviropolis veterinary clinic immediately. It is important to know what to do in the event of sudden poisoning, so as to minimise the time toxic substances spend in your cat’s body.

To sum up, keeping your cat’s contact with toxic substances to a minimum is key to its health and safety. Provide a safe environment by keeping cleaning products, poisonous plants, medicines and harmful foods out of your cat’s reach. Remember, too, that regular visits to the vet will help monitor your cat’s health and ensure a quick response in case of poisoning.