As a rule of thumb,
if it's not safe for a young child, it's not safe for a cat.
Plants
(see our list of plants which are toxic
to cats)
Aluminium
foil
Cling
Film
Tinsel
String,
dental floss, sewing thread
Drugs
(including vitamin pills)
Electrical
cords
Plastic
Bags
Bags
with handles
Washing
machine & dryer
Leave
the door to the washing machine & dryer closed at all times.
Before putting on a load, check in the machine to ensure your cat
hasn't snuck in. I personally know of one cat who was killed in a
washing machine & heard of another cat who was tumble dried for
30 minutes. Fortunately, the cat survived the ordeal with a few
minor burns.
Sewing
needles & pins.
Toothpicks
I know
of a cat who ate a toothpick & needed surgery to remove it.
Poisons
(see our list of some common household poisons)
Household
cleaners (see our list of common household poisons)
Cheap
cat toys
Check
for loose eyes etc.
Curtain
cords
Food
This
includes cooked chicken wings, meat with string attached, food that
is past it's use by date. Properly dispose of such items some cats
have a tendency to scavenge for discarded food in the garbage bin.
Elastic
bands
Twist
ties
Toilets
Young
kittens can accidentally climb into them & not get out. I know
of two kittens who have drowned in the toilet.
Cardboard
I'm
including this because recently I bought a blender, I left the box
on the floor, there was a cardboard insert which had a hole in the
middle, my cat managed to get his head & shoulders through the
hole then became stuck & panicked. Had we not been home it could
have been very dangerous.
Hot
Stoves
Never
leave hotplates on if you are not there to supervise. Again, I have
personal experience with this. Recently my cat positioned herself to
jump up onto the stove, fortunately I was standing next to her &
managed to stop her before she jumped.
Scented
oils
Aromatherapy
oils (some)
Never
leave burning candles unsupervised. A cat can knock them over &
cause a fire.
Small
children
Teach
young children how to properly pick up your cat. Ensure the cat has
a place to escape for time out should it need. Make sure your child
knows this spot is out of bounds.
