Cat Care Tips To Protect Your Feline

This cat care tips article helps you out with the basics, so consider purchasing a good book on veterinary first aid to have on hand.  The Red Cross offers pet first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation workshops too. Contact your local Red Cross for more information.

Surprising blue eyed Tonkinese cat  

Almost no cat, however tame, accepts medical attention without a battle.  The right approach makes a big difference in how successful you are at administering care and preventing further injury to your cat or yourself.

In our First Aid for Cats article we mentioned using a muzzle or home-made muzzle.  Your cat is injured and in pain, so his animal instinct takes over any lingering forms of cat logic -- which we already know is very different from human logic.  We find that its more important to control the feet and claws than the mouth when tending to a sick or injured cat. 

You can try the pillowcase approach where the corner of an old pillowcase is cut off.  The cat is put into the pillowcase and  his head sticks out the open corner.  However, the 'towel wrap' technique is very effective. Spread a towel or large piece of material (blanket, coat, shirt, dress, nothing lacy) on the floor or table. 

Then place your cat by the scruff of his neck and place him in the middle of material.  Gently press down on him while you pull the rest of the material around him.  The idea is to get his entire body bundled into the wrap, leaving only his head exposed.  Viola! Immobilized cat.  Now you can evaluate the situation, get him into the car and to the vet, or just give him medicine with minimal trauma. Always immobilize your cat.

Here's are list of 55 Trouble Areas and cat care tips to prevent harm to your cat.  Unfortunately the list is growing.  Well, that's not all that bad because when you share another hazard with us, you save another reader's beloved cat from unnecessary injury. Send us your story and we'll update our list of cat care tips.

1. Balls smaller than a dollar coin - 1 inch. Especially smooth or slick balls. 

2. Golf balls, see #1, but can break teeth or cause concussions.
3. Batteries
4. Bread twist ties
5. Buttons
6. Coins
7. Cotton swaps (as toys, also, don't use them in the ears
8. Glass
9. Hairpins
10. Knives
11. Jewelry - we love to play with cheep gold necklaces, but onetime our human had to pull one out of Simon's throat.
12. Nails
13. Needles
14. Nylons
15. Paper clips
16. Plastic wrap
17. Razors
18. Socks-kittens crawl inside, stumble around blind and fall down stairs.

19. Rubber-bands
20. String
21. Yarn
22. Dental floss
23. Ribbon

Cats are more likely to be injured in these areas of your home. Keep them away or watch them closely if they are in the area.

24. Swimming pools and hot tubs
25. Balconies - use safety railing.
26. Bath tubs or sinks - drowning
27. Doors and windows - cats get out, lost, hit by car - use a screened window
28. Electrical cords - electrocution when chewing on plugged in cord
29. Fireplaces - burning or sickened eating ashes
30. Toilets - depends how often you clean your pot. Would you drink from it?
31. Washer and Dryer - do you have to ask?

32. Fences and gates
33. Deck lattice
34. Patio arbors with exposed nail heads - cat's belly was torn from chest to winky.

Holiday Hazards

35. Flowers - Cat poisoning occurs when a cat chews or swallows many flowers and plants found in holiday bouquets are poisonous to cats.
36. Candy - A very small amount of chocolate is poisonous to cats (and dogs).  It can be fatal.

Easter

37. Fake Grass - That colorful plastic 'grass' found in Easter baskets.  When ingested it can choke your cat or damage their intestinal tract.
38. Small toys and plastic items - choking and intestinal damage.

4th Of July

39. Fireworks - Your simple human mind finds blowing up things and making a horrendous racket simply stupefying.  Our ears are 100 times more sensitive than your and frankly, it scares the doodle out of us. Don't be surprised to find us missing after your celebration. The formulations are also toxic if ingested.

40. People - Sadly, people still capture, torment, torture and kill cats, especially black cats, during this holiday. More so than at other times.
41. Opening doors - Secure your kitten and cat in a bedroom so they don't sneak out the door during the tricks n' treats.
42. Candles - Pets are curious and area attracted to lights and warmth.  Dogs and cats can burn themselves or knock over the candle, starting a fire.
43. Chocolate
44. Xylitol - any candy or gum sweetened with xylitol is toxid to animals.  Apparently, the FDA thinks its a-OK for the kids.

Thanksgiving

45. Bones - Turkey, chicken and other small animal bones splinter and become daggers in the gut. Never give them to your pet.
46. Hot Containers - Curiosity killed the cat.  Keep an eye on burning containers when your cat (or child) is near.

Christmas

47. Holiday plants -  Christmas rose, Holly, Lilies and Mistletoe are all toxic to cats (and dogs).
48. Bubbling lights - this is an older form of decoration that contains methylene chloride, which is highly toxic. 
49. The chemicals in Fire salts.
50. Angel hair which is spun glass can irritate the eyes and skin.
51. Christmas tree water - stagnant water or preservatives can poison the cat
52. Decorative hooks - choking and intestinal damage
53. Syrofoam - choking and intestinal damage
54. Tinsel - choking and intestinal damage
55. Ornaments - look and act like the perfect cat toy but can cause serious damage if broken.

New Year's

56. Balloons and Confetti -  These party decorations can cause choking or obstruct their intestines is swallowed.  Move the felines to a less active area and don't let them wander around in it after the party.
57. Loud Noises - This is the most important of all the cat care tips.  Humans celebrate in the nosiest manner. Your noisy celebration is your cat's worst nightmare.  Shouting, hundreds of feet, some with spiked heels, noisemakers, music and other obnoxious sounds.  Allow them to hide in the closet during the party or better yet, celebrate at the nearest hotel, restaurant or bar.

Felines are one of our peaceful treasures. Peace.