If you think about how a cat hunts in nature, you can plan ahead to
prevent accidents and problems. For example, cats hunt in the dark--
they have the eyes for it. So in a dark room, while you may have trouble
seeing, kitty with her night vision, has no problem. Let's say you're in
your bedroom and it is chilly. You want to get an extra blanket from the
closet. So you get up, in the dim light, don't bother turning on the electric
light, open the closet door and get your blanket. The next day, Kitty is
nowhere to be found, and won't even come out for food. Then it dawns on you
to check the closet. Sure enough, there is Kitty, rather miffed and ready
to come out. The point here is obvious. No matter what you are doing, you
have to ask yourself, "Where is Kitty".
Appliances and The Cat - Not a Good Combination!
When working with appliances, we have to be especially vigilant about
Kitty's whereabouts. Remember, Kitty thinks of us as a cat, so what
interests us interests Kitty. Clothes dryers are a definite risk, and
most of us know about this one. When you are loading the dryer, especially
if it is a front loader, reach in and check before closing the door
and turning it on. There are many tales of cats getting trapped in dryers
and this extra step can prevent an accident. Washers are also a potential
hazard. If you walk away from an open washer for any reason, Kitty could
jump in if the lid is open. Obviously, if the washer if filling, the
chances of this are remote, but if the tub has dry clothes in it waiting
for you to fill it, check it just in case. Some cats love to bury themselves
in human clothes. Of course, once you start filling the washer, the
cat will probably fly out of there. But why risk it, especially with
jumping kittens? Stoves are another potential hazard, especially electric
ones. Even when you turn the heat off an electric burner, it takes time
for it to cool down. Most of us do not let Kitty walk on kitchen counters,
but if we are making dinner and Kitty is sitting patiently by the stove
in hopes of a morsel and we leave the stove, Kitty can jump-- and the
results will not be pleasant. Vigilance is necessary.
The Cat and the Garage - Keep Them Separate!
A garage can also pose dangers to a cat. Cats often crouch under cars
(this is shelter to them) or will even crawl up into the engine. To
them, the car is not a powerful machine, it is something to be
explored. Cars can also leak fluids, transmission fluid, antifreeze, etc.
Some of this material is interesting to a cat (or a dog for that matter)
and they will lick it. They don't know it is toxic. Something in
the formulation attracts them to "try it out", with terrible results!
Paper or Plastic? Cats and Plastic Bags -
A Real Danger
Many of us enjoy the convenience of plastic bags. Unfortunately, they
present a real danger to Kitty. Some cats are very attracted to the
plastic material and will lick it, crawl in the bag and play there.
This is a danger. To help keep the bags in a pack from sticking together,
manufactures spray them with a powder. Often, this is a form of corn
starch. Some Vets do not consider this a serious risk to the animal,
while others advise against letting cats lick them, as a safety measure.
The handles on the bags pose a particular threat. Kitty can get her
head stuck in one and panic. If you are not right there to rescue
Kitty, she can struggle, try to run and things can get fatal. So, watch Kitty
when you bring home "the goodies", and put bags where Kitty
can't get them. Keep Kitty away from them and, if you store the
bags, do so in a place where Kitty can't dig them out. Many people routinely
cut the handles on plastic bags to prevent the problem.
Now you may think paper bags are therefore safe. Not necessarily! A
plain paper bag is pretty safe, unless Kitty is hiding in there, and
you absently come into the room, are not looking and accidentally kick
the bag! Some paper bags have carry handles, and the problem here is
obvious. So, never assume something is completely safe, there could
be dangers.
Kitty and the Porch - Watch Out!
Many of us have homes with porches, some enclosed, some screened in,
some exposed. If you have an indoor only cat (highly recommended!) she
may decide to romp on the porch. Many times, especially if you are going
to be out there and it is enclosed, this is fine. Except in Winter.
Most porches are not heated. You may open the door to check something
on the porch, and Kitty, the stealth animal, slips out unawares. You
close the door, oblivious, and Kitty spends the night on the porch!
If the porch is enclosed chances are she will be very cold, but safe.
However, if the porch is only screened in, there is a wind chill factor
to consider. This can kill. To play safe, before you go to bed, count
your cats! Know where they are.
The Endless Others - Vigilance is the Key.
There are so many things we need to watch to keep Kitty safe. Rubber
bands (Kitty can eat them), electrical wiring (Kitty can bite through
the insulation or get tangled in loose cords), window blinds (Kitty can tangle
in the hanging cords or bite through the cords and eat the string), paper
clips, twist ties-- the list goes on and on. The point here is to remember
that things we take for granted are the things that we need to ask "Can this hurt Kitty?" If
there is a risk, put the things in a place where Kitty won't get them.
We have a responsibility to care for Kitty. We brought her into what
is basically an alien environment-- our homes. Kitty's natural instincts
and our conveniences can get in each other's way with unpleasant results.
Kitty does not know this, but we do. So it is our responsibility to
stay alert and extra aware. As anyone who has suffered a preventable
accident with Kitty can tell you, the pain and regret that follow are
tremendous. Vigilance and forethought are the key, and will prevent,
we all hope, that pain and regret from ever happening.
About the
Article Author:
Tim
Thompson, author of this article, has been living with cats for many years.
As a student of behavioral statistics, he has learned the importance of observation
to understanding behaviors in humans and animals. He has served as a member
of the Board of a local rescue shelter and worked with their foster care givers for 8 years. On the home front, he is the human companion of Gertrude
and Eddie, two tiger tabbies who are constantly teaching Tim new things about
living with cats.
