Nowadays it is common practice for cats to be seen and adored as members of the family rather than merely as pets. No expense is spared for the beloved pets; be it with toys, houses, thousands of dollars invested in fur dyeing, clothing, fancy collars, and more expensive but healthier foods. Unfortunately, accidents and simple owner oversight can result in tragedies that take our feline friends away from us. Luckily, there are steps that can be taken to assure your cat lives a longer, healthier life.
Be Aware of what Plants Are Harmful to Cats
Some cats have tendencies to chew, gnaw upon, or outright eat parts off of plants. While sometimes that may only result in a gnarled plant and angry owner it can also lead to a sick cat, an expensive veterinarian bill, or sometimes even death. While there are a wide variety of plants that are not toxic to cats, there is also the variety that is poisonous. Before taking plants into your home be sure to be aware of what can and cannot harm your cat. On the Cat Fanciers' Association site, they not only have tips for cat care and list items harmful to your pet but have also listed the plants that are harmful and the ones that are not which is a handy tool for any cat owner and it can be located here: http://www.cfa.org/articles/plants.html Be Mindful of Cars and Other Vehicles
Such small animals as cats don't stand much of a chance against large, dangerous vehicles. It is important to park your vehicle in places that aren't easily accessible to cats who have tendencies to crawl under, or into the car itself. Generally, it's easier to keep larger, adult cats out of the car but can be trickier with kittens. Often when they are in the stages of exploration they like to crawl in places they can hide, or sometimes mother cats put their kittens in vehicles like cars, trucks, or even under lawnmowers, as they are unaware of the danger in doing so. It is advisable to keep these vehicles parked away or, if possible, out of access to kittens and pregnant/nursing cats.Be Careful What Toys You Give Your Cat, What's In the House
Some toys and common household items are not things that your cat should be exposed to or be allowed to play with. If a toy or ball is small enough to mostly fit in your cat's mouth there's a possibility they could accidentally swallow or choke on it. Some toys have attachments and strings that can be swallowed that's not safe for your cat either, so your cat, much like children, should be properly supervised.
There are some things not meant as toys but many cats are naturally drawn to them, such as bags. They love to get in them and play in them, but plastic bags pose a risk since your cat can suffocate in them. Paper bags are much safer and just as enjoyable to them. They are also drawn to the strings hanging from things like mini-blinds, but those are hazardous to cats as they can accidentally hang themselves. Cutting strings off mini-blinds or wrapping them up to where your cat cannot access them will keep them safer. Some cat trees and cubicles have the same risks as there are long strings attached with a toy hanging from it. It's recommended to either get trees and cubicles that have very, very short strings or just cut them off entirely.Be Sure Nothing Heavy Around the House Can Fall on Your Cat
Around the house there are many things that are large and heavy and, if the were to fall on your cat, could cause injury or prove to be fatal. Bookshelves, entertainment centers, large speakers, computers and furniture should be sturdy, weighed down, or in an inaccessible place to cats. Statues and figurines should also be in places where they cannot fall or be knocked over on a cat. A display case might be a solution in holding figurine collections so kitty can't destroy them or hurt itself with them.Make Sure You Have a Good, Trusted Veterinarian
In spite of everything, accidents and illnesses will happen, not to mention cats need regular checkups just like humans do. That is why it is imperative for any cat owner to have a veterinarian that they trust and is in reasonable distance from their home. It's important to keep in mind that older cats will require more check ups than younger ones to make sure they stay in good health. It's also very important that your veterinarian take emergency calls off hours, or perhaps you can have another for this purpose, as accidents and illnesses can occur even when it's not business hours.
