Cat Tip #3

by Darlene Arden

Cat Tip # 3

Before you bring your cat home, be sure to kitty-proof your house. Remove all plants that might be hazardous to kitty’s health (or downright fatal!). Here’s a link to an online list of harmful plants: http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/owners-corner/toxic-plant-listing/toxic-plants-to-cats/.
Pick up little toys that could be swallowed, paperclips, etc. and keep them out of kitty’s reach above ground as well. Cats can climb so any space is fair game.

If you think your kitty can’t get into cabinets, don’t be so sure. Keep all cabinet doors closed. And drawers. Still, there are some cats who learn to open both. Keep the cabinet without household cleaning supplies locked. These items are toxic to your cat and you don’t want kitty getting poisoned.
Be careful when closing cabinets or closet doors. Your cat might have gotten into the closet or cabinet and you don’t want to lock him inside.

Don’t be surprised to find your cat on top of the refrigerator, hanging out on the top of a door, lying in wait to pounce on you. The reaction is so much fun. For the cat, not you. Be sure that there’s nothing dangerous to the cat on top of the refrigerator. I remember one person telling me that her cats were running through the living room and broke her entire collection of very expensive crystal statues. Why she had them out where the cats could do that is beyond me. She was upset about the broken statues; I was upset about the potential glass cuts awaiting the felines.

Look at your home with a brand-new eye. If there’s a question in your mind about safety: put the possibly offending items away. Your cat will be safer and your veterinary bill will be smaller.

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Darlene Arden is a Certified Animal Behavior Consultant, a member of The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, The American Association of Human-Animal Bond Veterinarians (even though she is not a veterinarian), a World Canine Freestyle Organization Judge, Referee and Executive Advisory Board Member, as well as a member of the Dog Writer’s Association of America, Inc., and the World Dog Press Association, Cat Writers Association and Boston Authors Club.  She is a learning facilitator at Kutztown University’s Canine Training & Management Program. An internationally recognized expert on behavior, training, and the wellness of dogs. She is the author of Rover, Get Off Her Leg!, The Angell Memorial Animal Hospital Book of Wellness and Preventive Care for Dogs, The Irrepressible Toy Dog, and Small Dogs, Big Hearts. You can find her on the web at: http://www.darlenearden.com.

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