If you talk to cat owners, you’ll hear some scary stories. One cat hid in a dryer, another swallowed something tiny and sharp. These aren’t rare flukes, either; they’re accidents waiting to happen in almost any home. To help keep your pet safe, it’s worth knowing about 13 hazards that catch owners off guard.
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Sewing needles and thread
Most cats will play with spools of thread but swallowing a needle attached to a thread has serious consequences. The thread will cause an intestinal blockage while the needle pierces the inside of the intestines. Cats are so quiet when they play you may not know about it until the cat is ill.
Plastic bags with handles
Sometimes cats climb into plastic shopping bags and get their heads stuck in the handles. They may panic and choke, or they may try to run blindly around the house.
Houseplants people don’t think about
We all know lilies are poisonous, but even pothos, dieffenbachia, aloe and many more could make a cat extremely ill. Owners don’t always think twice when bringing one into their home. There are also plants that don’t kill but still cause swelling, drooling, vomiting or discomfort.
Bread ties and twist ties
Little plastic or wire bread ties are not very big, and don’t seem like much of a threat. Cats will bat them around though, and a swallowed one can puncture a stomach or intestine. String sometimes passes with little to no problem, but there’s a thin metal wire in twist ties. Internal cuts from those are usually sharp.
Windows without screens
It can be the second floor, but cats can jump or fall from a window if there’s a bird or bug outside. Owners sometimes don’t realize how determined cats are when they’re hunting. However, broken bones or internal injuries can result even from short falls.
Small children’s toys
Small, colorful bits like Lego set pieces, action figure parts or doll accessories are often perfect for a cat to swallow. Cats won’t chew them like a dog might, so they stay intact and sharp. Even if the cat manages to breathe, the swallowed item can cause both choking and gut obstructions.
Electric stove tops
Cats love to jump on counters, and a stove top can stay hot long after it’s turned off. A curious cat walking across can burn its paws badly without realizing the danger.
Tippy bookshelves
Cats love to climb, and a tall bookshelf is an obvious magnet. If it’s not secured to the wall, the whole unit will fall over when your cat jumps on it. A heavy shelf can severely hurt your cat when it lands on top of them, or pin them underneath.
Button batteries
Batteries found in small remotes, toys, or watches can be very painful and potentially life-threatening to your cat. Swallowed, they can burn the esophagus or intestines and make your kitty seriously ill.
Candle wax and flames
Hot wax can cause burns to their paws, and open flames are a no-brainer fire hazard. Keep an eye on lit candles, or just keep them out of rooms where your cats wander.
Open toilet lids
Cats like to check out what’s in the toilet bowl and may even take a drink. The problem is that people use all kinds of cleaning chemicals that can be toxic for your cat.
An opened spice or tea or coffee bag
Your cat doesn’t know a bag of coffee grounds or cocoa is dangerous. If your cat finds an open bag, chances are they’ll try tasting it. The problem is that even a small amount of certain spices or powders can make them seriously ill.
Salt lamps
Himalayan salt lamps may sound like nothing to worry about, but some cats can’t stop licking them. And this too much salt can be deadly for your cats.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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