Kitty Death Trap

Welcoming a new furbaby can be an exciting period. It can however turn disastrous really quickly if the home is not well prepared

Some days ago, I got a much dreaded midnight call.
A friend at the emergency vet past midnight due to an accident that kitty sustained at home. A few weeks before that, I received another similar call from another friend at the emergency vet due to kitty sustaining trauma from a fall from height.

These incidents happening within close proximity to each other prompted this article to add awareness to the other dangers aside from the obvious toxic plants, window grills and chemicals in the home.

Frequently WinterForest visits the soon to be home of our graduates.
Possible problem areas are pointed out and rectified prior to our graduates arrival.
However, from time to time additions and alterations are made to the home and being unaware, these additions or alterations are potential death traps to kitties.

Cables

Most pawrents assume that Cables should be kept out of kitties reach due to biting.
Resulting in the ingestion of cable, or electrocution in areas without a fuse or surge protector.

However, Cables must be kept straight and taut even if your kitty is not a one that chews or bites for other reasons.

Cats and kittens get strangled by looped cables.

They jump through them or fall through and in a freak accident get strangled by the cables. The most frequent cables that cause these are from appliances on your desk like the hair dryer or speakers and computers.

Recliners & Rocking chairs

These comfort chairs although great to relax in, are well-known to amputate limbs, tails and crush bones. If you are unable to part with your recliner or rocker, there are protective covers that maybe bought on amazon that seals off most crevices so that larger cats will not be able to get into them.

It is advisable to keep your recliner or rocker in a cat free zone to prevent such instances. When such accidents happen, at sites where nerves of the spine are affected, cats may develop complications like the inability to hold their bladder or stools.

If it is not safe for a toddler

Its not safe for your Kitty

Slamming doors and windows

Windy homes are lovely to live in. These come with hazards of door and windows being slammed onto an unknowing kitty. A simple foam protector or keeping those doors shut would prevent kitties from getting their bones crushed or tails degloved.
Similarly never tug a cat by its tail. This may cause dislocation of the spine and complications that may arise from such trauma

Ceiling fans & Other heights

Cats and kittens love climbing and will naturally go higher and higher often without developing the necessary skills required for coming down. At other times in the heat or the moment when chasing a new toy, they fall from the upper floors. This generally happens in younger cats, much like teenagers that have yet to posses the required acumen to think before leaping to danger. You may have to fence up certain areas till kitty matures to prevent fractures and dislocations from such falls.

Some pawrents take a slapdash approach to cat proofing their home . To those, I would like to highlight the financial cost of going to the vet versus prevention.. both friends spent upwards of $7,000 at surgery when both instances could have been prevented by a significantly smaller out of pocket expense of $100.

When in doubt, just remember - if its not safe for a toddler, its not safe for your cat.