Cats are certainly very inquisitive creatures by nature and, very much like young children, will see many everyday items in the home as exciting new toys to play with. Unfortunately, the average house is full of potential hazards; so it is important to check your home thoroughly to ensure the safety and well-being of your cat.
It is probably best to check round your house room by room and then move into the garden area and have a thorough check round there. Bathrooms and kitchens are two of the worst areas in the house. Both are areas where you will probably spend a reasonable amount of time everyday and that means your cat will want to be there too.
Think carefully about kitchen appliances - do they need to be out on the work surface? If you have been using the sink, do not leave it full of water, as a kitten could easily drown in it. Never leave pans, grills, toasters, etc, unattended when in use - interesting and tempting cooking smells could lure your cat into a very dangerous situation. Empty hobs, which have just been in use, will stay hot for some time and could badly scald your cat if walked on, so keep your cat away.
It may be a good idea to try and discourage your cat from jumping up onto the work surfaces.
Washers and dryers hold some kind of immense fascination for cats and a recently used and warm dryer, could make a tempting bed for a while. Always check your machines before putting any washing or drying in - it may even be a good idea to keep the machine doors closed at all times. Cats also seem to have an affinity for dirty washing, so your laundry basket may also be a suitable place for sleeping - always check where your cat is when loading up your washing machine.
As we know, cats spend plenty of time cleaning themselves and licking their paws. Unfortunately, they can absorb all kinds of poisons through their pads. Consider cleaning agents carefully before purchasing them, ensuring that they are safe for animals. Always store them in a cupboard out of the way and lock the door if possible.
Bathrooms, like kitchens, are also areas where plenty of water is used, which can sometimes be scalding hot. Never leave baths or basins full of water unattended and always keep the toilet seat down.
Houseplants can also pose a threat to your feline friend, as some of them are poisonous. Some cats appear to be able to sense when a plant is poisonous but to be on the safe side, it is best to check the safety of any plants you already have in the house as well as any you purchase.
Other living areas of the house may contain hidden dangers too, such as telephone leads, computer cables and any other type of electrical cables. Cats will adore these and will again see them as something exciting to play with - apart from potentially pulling equipment down on themselves, they may chew through cables and electrocute themselves. If possible, computer equipment is best kept in a room on its own with the door shut. Any loose and dangling leads should be placed behind things out of the way, or contained in a piece of conduit. This should help to protect them from feline attention.
Open fires should be protected with a fireguard and any other small items around the home such as needlework equipment, drawing pins, rubber bands, paper clips, etc, should be kept in an appropriate box and put away after use.
If you live in a flat or an apartment, open windows could also be a hazard, as your cat will soon learn how to get through them and may not appreciate that there is a long drop below. You may have to attach a piece of mesh to the opening. Balconies can also pose a threat; so a mesh framework covered with climbing plants may act as a deterrent.
Moving into the garden area, even more dangers may be lurking, particularly in sheds, garages and other out buildings. Tools and chemicals are often stored in these areas, so always check that your cat hasn't slipped in anywhere whilst you have been working outside - keep them locked up when not in use
If your cat is free to roam around outside, it may come across all kinds of dangers in other gardens, but you can at least ensure that yours is as safe as possible. Think again about poisonous plants, insecticides, slug pellets, etc. All these items can be lethal to your cat.
As a cat owner, you must provide your feline companion with the best possible care and attention. Keeping him/her safe in your home will hopefully avoid any unnecessary dangers and help to ensure a long and happy life.
By Ian White © Housecarers.com
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| Cat from Housecarers French Housesit |
It is probably best to check round your house room by room and then move into the garden area and have a thorough check round there. Bathrooms and kitchens are two of the worst areas in the house. Both are areas where you will probably spend a reasonable amount of time everyday and that means your cat will want to be there too.
Think carefully about kitchen appliances - do they need to be out on the work surface? If you have been using the sink, do not leave it full of water, as a kitten could easily drown in it. Never leave pans, grills, toasters, etc, unattended when in use - interesting and tempting cooking smells could lure your cat into a very dangerous situation. Empty hobs, which have just been in use, will stay hot for some time and could badly scald your cat if walked on, so keep your cat away.
It may be a good idea to try and discourage your cat from jumping up onto the work surfaces.
Washers and dryers hold some kind of immense fascination for cats and a recently used and warm dryer, could make a tempting bed for a while. Always check your machines before putting any washing or drying in - it may even be a good idea to keep the machine doors closed at all times. Cats also seem to have an affinity for dirty washing, so your laundry basket may also be a suitable place for sleeping - always check where your cat is when loading up your washing machine.
As we know, cats spend plenty of time cleaning themselves and licking their paws. Unfortunately, they can absorb all kinds of poisons through their pads. Consider cleaning agents carefully before purchasing them, ensuring that they are safe for animals. Always store them in a cupboard out of the way and lock the door if possible.
 |
| Pymble Cat Sit Housecarers http://bit.ly/PymbleCatsit |
Bathrooms, like kitchens, are also areas where plenty of water is used, which can sometimes be scalding hot. Never leave baths or basins full of water unattended and always keep the toilet seat down.
Houseplants can also pose a threat to your feline friend, as some of them are poisonous. Some cats appear to be able to sense when a plant is poisonous but to be on the safe side, it is best to check the safety of any plants you already have in the house as well as any you purchase.
Other living areas of the house may contain hidden dangers too, such as telephone leads, computer cables and any other type of electrical cables. Cats will adore these and will again see them as something exciting to play with - apart from potentially pulling equipment down on themselves, they may chew through cables and electrocute themselves. If possible, computer equipment is best kept in a room on its own with the door shut. Any loose and dangling leads should be placed behind things out of the way, or contained in a piece of conduit. This should help to protect them from feline attention.
 |
| Norwegian cat from Housecarers.com housesit |
Open fires should be protected with a fireguard and any other small items around the home such as needlework equipment, drawing pins, rubber bands, paper clips, etc, should be kept in an appropriate box and put away after use.
If you live in a flat or an apartment, open windows could also be a hazard, as your cat will soon learn how to get through them and may not appreciate that there is a long drop below. You may have to attach a piece of mesh to the opening. Balconies can also pose a threat; so a mesh framework covered with climbing plants may act as a deterrent.
Moving into the garden area, even more dangers may be lurking, particularly in sheds, garages and other out buildings. Tools and chemicals are often stored in these areas, so always check that your cat hasn't slipped in anywhere whilst you have been working outside - keep them locked up when not in use
If your cat is free to roam around outside, it may come across all kinds of dangers in other gardens, but you can at least ensure that yours is as safe as possible. Think again about poisonous plants, insecticides, slug pellets, etc. All these items can be lethal to your cat.
As a cat owner, you must provide your feline companion with the best possible care and attention. Keeping him/her safe in your home will hopefully avoid any unnecessary dangers and help to ensure a long and happy life.
By Ian White © Housecarers.com
