8 Common Household Items That Are Dangerous or Toxic to Cats
Updated: 2 days ago
"Curiosity killed the cat" is no laughing matter when it comes to potential household hazards. While some of these things seem like common sense, others are so normal to us humans that they're easily overlooked as harmless. This rundown of common household items that could be toxic or dangerous to cats helps to raise awareness, so you can take preventative measures and ensure your home remains a hazard-free zone.
If you're planning on adopting a cat for the first time or want to ensure your space is as cat-friendly as possible, be sure to read this helpful guide: Indoor and House Cat Care Guide
Head straight to the 8 household items that are toxic or dangerous to cats:
1. Cleaning Products
Many household cleaners contain chemicals that are toxic to cats. A sparkling floor may look and smell pleasant to you, but think about how close your kitty's nose and mouth are to the ground. If they lick bleach or disinfectant residues off surfaces - or their paws - then it can cause serious damage to their mouth, throat and stomach. Breathing in fumes, particularly ammonia based, can also irritate their eyes, skin and respiratory tract.
Products you should avoid include disinfectants, antibacterial agents; bathroom, toilet and oven cleaners, stain removers and mould treatments. If using any of the above, ensure the room is closed off to pets and open a window for ventilation.
Pet Fresh Cleaner & Disinfectant for indoors that can be used as is or diluted up to 100:1, with multiple scents to choose from and a whopping 5 litres. Keeps the house smelling fresh for days.
Here are some alternative cleaning methods you might consider:
Eco-friendly or plant-based cleaners.
Products that are labelled as pet-safe.
Natural cleaners such as baking soda and vinegar.
So too, remember to properly rinse any washing detergent off your pet's food bowls after cleaning.
2. Essential Oils and Fragrances
Pets come with some less than pleasant odours, so it seems like the obvious thing to light a candle or oil burner to mask the pong. We might think natural scents and oils are better for animals than synthetic chemicals or air fresheners, but there are a few reasons why essential oils aren't safe for cats.
Namely, they contain substances that can be ingested orally and absorbed through the skin. Even residues from a diffuser can stick to a cat's fur and, as self-groomers, there's a good chance they'll lick it off. Cats have difficulty metabolising substances due to low liver enzymes, so it does carry a risk of poisoning and toxicity.
Pet Remedy Calming Spray provides a natural way of tackling stress and anxiety in cats, dogs and other small animals. It contains a blend of valerian and essential oils and can be sprayed on bedding, blankets and carriers prior to a vet visit.
We should also bear in mind that a cat's sense of smell is fourteen times stronger than a human's, so breathing in concentrated fumes can be unpleasant as well as irritating the respiratory tract.
Most essential oils are toxic to cats, but in particular you should avoid tea tree, peppermint, citrus, pine, eucalyptus, lavender, cinnamon and ylang ylang. Valerian is used in many cat-calming remedies on the market, including diffusers, sprays and herbal treats.
3. Plants
While a lot of plants and flowers are safe for cats to be around, some can be poisonous if ingested: lilies, tulips and daffodils to name a few. Be sure to research house plants that are toxic to cats before placing them around the home to check you're not putting kitties in any unnecessary danger. Bamboo and spider plants are examples of safe greenery, or if it's purely aesthetic then consider buying artificial ones.
Of course, the best way to prevent chewing or accidental swallowing is to simply not have plants in your home or place them out of reach - although some would argue that nowhere is out of reach for our feline friends!
4. Medications and Supplements
We're not just talking about the human kind - even veterinary prescribed medicines can result in overdose or sickness if one cat eats another cat's medication. Cats are secret chewing machines and will pierce through blister packets containing paracetamol, ibuprofen, antidepressants or anything else for that matter.
Keep medications stored inside a sealed container, cupboard or drawer. The same goes for supplements, as it's so easy to lose pills that can roll under furniture waiting to be gobbled up. Think of pets like children: if it looks like a sweetie then there's a 100% chance that it tastes like a sweetie!
YuMOVE Calming Care contains natural ingredients to help reduce stress, anxiety and support calm behaviour. Easy opening capsules so powder can be sprinkled over food or mixed with water.
So too, flea and tick treatments fall into the "commonly overlooked" category of dangerous substances. Just because they're formulated for cats doesn't mean they can't cause problems if ingested. *Most treatments are applied topically to the back of the neck, but you should monitor cats as much as possible to stop them from licking it off or prevent other cats from grooming them.
If your kitty licks a small amount of flea treatment then it's usually harmless - the bigger hazard is chewing or puncturing the containers themselves. Only use treatments recommended for felines, as those made for dogs can be poisonous and potentially fatal to cats.
As well as storing them out of reach, you should consider separating pets after applying topical treatments in the first instance. If your cat has any adverse reactions such as vomiting, diarrhoea or seizures then contact your vet immediately.
*When using flea/tick treatments or any prescription medications, always follow veterinary advice and stick to product instructions.
5. Human Food
Aside from the obvious (meat) human food should be off the kitty menu. If my Drax spots a tea or coffee mug lying around then he's straight in it; meanwhile, Simba can sniff out a piece of chocolate from a mile away. Along with alcohol, caffeine and chocolate are amongst the worst things you can offer a cat!
Did you know, too, that cats are lactose intolerant? We associate them with milk due to kitten feeding, and cats will surely connect drinking milk with those positive memories. They're also drawn to the fats and proteins in dairy products, which along with the high calorie count, can cause upset stomachs, diarrhoea and weight gain.
Human food contains way more fats, salt and sugar than a cat needs or can properly digest. Other foods that can be toxic to cats include garlic, onions, chives, grapes, raisins, currents and mould from spoilage. Salty meats like ham and bacon should also be avoided.
6. Foreign Objects
Cats, aka our resident chew machines, will eat almost anything they find lying around: plastic bags and wrappers, foil, food packaging, earplugs (yes, I've witnessed it) and even another animal's fur. I can speak to most of these things, with a plastic-obsessed kitty that hoovers up anything from cellophane to dust balls - who needs kids, right?
Just like children, vigilance is essential to avoid those emergency vet trips. Cats will usually regurgitate or excrete most foreign objects if they're small enough to pass - tinsel poops have become a Christmas tradition in our house, which isn't as funny as it sounds. Intestinal blockages and choking can be fatal without medical intervention.
We can't follow our pets around 24/7, but thorough and regular housecleaning goes a long way.
7. Electrical Cords
We know how much our feline friends love to play with string - or anything long and dangly - which in itself can cause problems if swallowed. It's therefore a no-brainer that loose or exposed wires should be tucked out of sight, out of reach.
Consider investing in some wire protectors if your kitty takes a liking to your electricals, and ensure plugs are switched off when not in use - hey, you might save a few pennies in the meantime.
Electric shocks aren't the only danger, particularly if you have a hyperactive kitten tearing around the place. No one wants their bundle of joy getting tangled or worse.
8. Washing Machines and Dryers
Guys, I'm not being overdramatic. Please, keep doors closed when machines aren't in use because cats will climb into anything that seems like a safe place to nap. One of my boys got trapped behind a loose skirting board - for once, I was glad of his annoyingly shrill meow!
Kittens are hard to spot, and you know how this horror story ends without me providing any visuals. I know personally of more than one fur baby that lost their lives to a washing machine, so be vigilant and be safe!
Signs of Poisoning in Cats
There are many different reactions to poisoning that will depend on the type or nature of the poison. Some of the signs that your cat might have been poisoned include:
Vomiting or diarrhoea.
Drooling.
Difficulty breathing.
Seizures.
Shock or collapse.
Decreased appetite.
Depression or lethargy.
Coma.
The best thing you can do for your cat in cases of poisoning (toxicosis) is to seek emergency veterinary care.
Unfortunately for pet parents, the list of household hazards could be an infinite one; but this article covers a wide range of things to look out for that you might not have considered before. Even well-behaved kitties can be guilty of letting their curiosity run wild! Removing these dangers could avoid future complications with potentially devastating results. Who wouldn't want to save a furry life?
Do you have a kitty that hoovers up anything in its path and enjoys rummaging through your kitchen cupboards? If you think something important missed the list or should have been mentioned, let us know in the comments.
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