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TEN TIPS FOR A CAT-FRIENDLY,
POISON-SAFE HOUSEHOLD:
--1. Be aware of the PLANTS you have in your house and in your yard, if your
cat is permitted outside. The ingestion of AZALEA, OLEANDER, EASTER
LILLY, or YEW plant material by a cat could be fatal.
--2. When cleaning your house, never allow your cat access to the area where
CLEANING AGENTS are used or stored. Cleaning agents have a variety of
properties; fom those that could just irritate the gastro- intestinal tract to
those that have a corrosive action and can chemically burn the sensitive
mucous membranes of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach.
--3. When using rat or mouse BAITS, ant or roach TRAPS, or snail and slug
baits, place the products in areas that are inaccessible to your cats. Most
baits contain sweet smelling inert ingredients, which can be very attractive
to your cat.
--4. Never give your cat any MEDICATIONS unless under the SUPERVISION of
YOUR vet. Many medications used safely by humans can be deadly when
used inappropriately. One extra strength ACETAMINOPHEN (Tylenol)
tablet (500mg) can kill a 7 pound cat.
--5. Keep all prescription and over the counter DRUGS out of reach of your cats.
Pain killers, cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs, antidepressants, and diet
pills are common examples of human medication that could be potentially
lethal even in small doses. Only one half of a 200mg NAPROXEN tablet
could cause stomach ulcers in cats.
--6. Never leave CHOCOLATES unattended. Approximately one half ounce of
baking chocolate per pound body weight or less can cause clinical signs of
toxicity.
--7. Many common household items have been shown to be lethal to cats.
Miscellaneous items highly toxic even in low quantities include:
--PENNIES - high concentration of zinc
--MOTHBALLS - contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene - one or two balls can be life threatening.
--POTPOURRI OILS
--FABRIC SOFTENER SHEETS
--AUTOMATIC DISH DETERGENTS - contain detergents which could cause
lesions
--BATTERIES - contain acids or alkali which can also cause lesions
--HOMEMADE PLAY DOUGH - contains a high quantity of salt
--WINTER HEAT SOURCE AGENTS - like hand or foot warmers - contain high
levels of iron
--CIGARETTES
--COFFEE GROUNDS
--ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
--8. All AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS such as oil, gasoline, and anti-freeze should
be stored in areas away from cat access. As little as one teaspoon of
antifreeze (ethylene glycol) can be deadly in a 7 pound cat.
--9. Before buying or using FLEA PRODUCTS on your cat or in your household,
contact your veterinarian to discuss what types of flea products are best for
your cat. Read ALL information before using a product on your cat or in
your home. Always follow label instructions. When a product is labeled "for
use in dogs only" this means that the product should NEVER be applied to
cats. When using a FOGGER or a HOUSE SPRAY, make sure to remove all
cats from the area for the time period specified on the container.
--10. When treating your lawn or garden with FERTILIZERS, HERBICIDES, or
INSECTICIDES, always keep your cats away from the area until it has
dried completely. Always store such products in an area that will
ensure no cat exposure.
From an article by: Jill A. Richardson, DVM ASPCA/National Animal Poison Control Center
Your cat will never threaten your popularity by barking at three in the morning. He won't attack the mailman or eat the drapes, although he may climb the drapes to see how the room looks from the ceiling.
~Helen Powers
Is your cat constantly jumping up on your kitchen counter tops? Try temporarily applying double-sided tape to the edges of the counter. Cats dislike the sticky feeling on their paws. An alternative is to purchase a mat made for keeping cats off counters. It is plastic mat that emits a small static shock when touched.
