Chances are, your cat feels safe in your home. But little do they know, your house (or yard) may be full of cat hazards. So besides your cat running away, there’s other dangers to be aware of as a loving cat parent. Here are the five most common household dangers for cats, plus more tips to keep your cat safe.
Table of contents
- Common household dangers for cats
- 1) Poisonous plants
- 2) Toxic foods
- 3) Household chemicals
- 4) Medications
- 5) Dangerous areas and objects
- Cat poisoning symptoms
- What to do if your cat is poisoned?
- Conclusion
Common household dangers for cats
Think your house is safe for kitty? You might want to think again! Check the list below (and your house) for these top 5 household hazards for cats. Do you have some of these in your home? The answer is most likely YES!
1) Poisonous plants
Cats are curious creatures, and plants can be one of their favorite playthings. Little do they know, some plants can be deadly to cats.
Not all plants are poisonous to cats, but many are. If you have houseplants, chances are you have at least one plant in your home that’s poisonous for your cat.
If a cat takes a bite of a toxic plant, reactions can vary from mild irritation to vomiting, seizures and even death.
Common plants like lillies, poinsettias and tulips are among the ones you need to watch out for. Read our full guide to plants poisonous to cats.
This doesn’t mean you have to strip your house of all greenery. Just aware of the plants that can harm your cat, and keep them out of kitty’s reach.
Also keep in mind that water with fertilizer in it can harm your cat, if ingested. Your feline might try to take a drink, so always keep watering cans away from cats.
2) Toxic foods
Better think twice before offering your cat some human food. Many foods that are safe for us are toxic to cats. So be aware of the most common foods poisonous to cats, and keep them out of reach.
Toxic foods for cats include (but are not limited to):
- Grapes (and raisins)
- Chocolate
- Avocados
- Onions
- Raisins
- Xylitol, or any foods containing the artificial sweetener
