Warning from Dawson & Amelia - Dangers in the home for Kitty to Avoid

Cats are unable to judge safety for themselves, they need our help.

Kitty's nose and ears are their most favoured senses, hence smelling and hearing senses are the most important - these are quite different to a cat's loving guardian. Our homes are not our cat's natural environment so hence we must protect them in many ways as cats are so curious and as the saying goes 'curiosity killed the cat' and can rightly so.

• Cats may get used to not climbing when indoors, they can settle easily onto the ledge of a balcony and then one day it might only take a butterfly to distract kitty and they will forget that the balcony could be many floors high. Our kitty cats live almost exclusively in the present; they have a hazy past memory and no concept of the future. Cat proof screening is therefore a most important option. Love your cat, be a responsible kitty owner, love and save your environment.  

• Fumes from mothballs in our clothes and storage areas destroy our cat's liver cells.  We know kitties love crawling into drawers and cupboards. Cedar wood balls and coat hanger cedar rings are a perfect option for keeping away pesky pests in our cupboards instead of using harsh chemicals and therefore saving kitty from liver damage.

• Fabric softener contains chemicals and when kitty lies on your towels, bedding or clothes, the fabric softener which has coated the garment fibres, sticks to kitty’s fur and are licked off by your kitty during bath time. This applies to commercial room deodorizers which are also made of volatile chemicals and when it settles on the floor or furniture and kitty collects it on their paws it can cause great harm when licked. DIY conditioners - white vinegar added with water to your fabric softener dispenser will keep your washing clean, fresh and soft and your cat safe from chemicals. 

• Many plants are poisonous to cats. Some of these include asparagus fern, azalea, bird-of-paradise, clematis, daffodil, elephant ears, many ferns, heavenly bamboo, some seeds and nuts, holly, hydrangea, Iris, most Ivy, lilies, tomato plants, tulips, and many many more.  These can cause vomiting, depression or diarrhea. By growing cat friendly plants such as Cat Nip, Cat grass and Cat Mint around the garden and in the home, they are safe and bring much joy to your kitty. Cat nip and Cat Mint contain a small amount of oil and a component of the oil is called nepetalactone of which cats are very fond of giving off a feline aphrodisiac effect when brushed against. Cat grass is very high in important vitamins and minerals, is a great digestive aid and also helps with fur ball elimination.

• Other dangers in the home for cats include certain foods which are very toxic such as alcoholic beverages, avocado, chocolate, coffee, macadamia nuts, moldy or spoiled food, mushrooms, onion and onion powder, raisins and grapes, uncooked potatoes and yeast dough just to name a few.

• String, yarns and rubber bands are very dangerous and can cause death. The construction of cat’s tongues makes it almost impossible to spit some of these items out and can become caught around their intestine causing death. Even tin foil, cork and cellophane can cause great harm such as choking, a blocked intestine and other serious damage. Toys that are crocheted, felt made or sewn together and that have no glued pieces and trims that can break off - are much much safer as cat toys. A ping pong ball makes for a great kitty toy.

A recommended book -  The Natural Cat: The Comprehensive Guide to Optimum Care by Anitra Frazier with Norma Eckroate is an excellent and informative read for many topics relating to cat care. View here