Cats and Hidden Dangers In the Home

Most cats are inside only cats, and although statistics show that inside-only cats are safer and healthier than outside-only cats, there are still hidden dangers in the home.

Unfortunately, cats have bad habits of swallowing things that weren't intended to be swallowed.

Dr. Patricia Hague, owner of the Cat Hospital of Las Colinas, said that it never ceases to surprise her, the things she pulls out of a cat's stomach. She treated one cat who tried to eat a balloon, ribbon-first. Another cat swallowed embroidery thread that happened to have a needle at the other end. Fortunately they both survived.

Sondra York, former cat chairperson for the Animal Rescue League, in Denton County Texas, recommends keeping a close eye out for rubber bands and string which could be swallowed, and then, consequently either wrap around the cat’s intestines or cut through them like a saw. Paper clips, pins and needles can puncture the stomach or any organ in the digestive tract as well, so caution should be exercised at all times.

Be sure to pick up any tiny objects you find on the floor. Anything that could choke a baby could harm your cat. Remove loose buttons, string, yarn or bells from cat toys. If your cat pulls one of these items off, it could strangle him or lodge in his intestines.

Milk cap rings are fun for cats to play with, but be sure they aren't getting worn out; they tend to fray and break into pieces. The broken bits hold the same dangers as buttons. If they start tearing, throw them away.

Appliances

Sadly, whoever first coined the phrase, "Curiosity killed the cat," really knew cats. Many an inquisitive cat has lost its life by becoming curious about a common household appliance.

"I was horrified," York recalled. "As I walked away from the (clothes) dryer, I heard this ka-thunk, ka-thunk. I opened the door and there was my Snowshoe cat Ling Ling. I dread to think what would have happened if I had ignored the noise."

Ling Ling, dazed and dizzy, staggered around for a few minutes, but she survived.

Jane and her cat were not as fortunate. Walking away, she also heard her cat, but by the time she could open the door, it was too late, he had already broken his back.

To prevent these types of tragedies, always visually inspect the washer and the dryer before using them. Test the wet clothes in the dryer with a few shakes of the clothes as added insurance.