Tips On Cat-Proofing Your Home
(HealthNewsDigest.com)-Cats may be known and loved for their independent spirit and natural curiosity but that same curiosity can sometimes put them in harm's way.
Keeping cats indoors is generally thought to be the best way to avoid serious injury. What most cat owners don't realize, however, is that indoor life is not totally risk-free. Just as one should "child-proof" a home, so too should a home be "cat-proofed." Accidents such as falling (cats don't always land on their feet) or ingesting a foreign object are the leading causes of injury for cats in the home. Fortunately, many injuries are avoidable by taking simple precautions. Help ensure all your cat's nine lives are happy and healthy with these tips:
Keep your cat away from toxic plants, including lilies, foxglove, oleander and kalanchoe. For a list of non-toxic plants, visit www.aspca.org/apcc.
Put interactive toys away after use. Never allow your pet to play with string, yarn, ribbon or Christmas tinsel.
Store toxic chemicals, as well as dangerously sharp objects, in closed containers inside cupboards and cabinets.
Secure electrical cords behind appliances and tape them to the wall if necessary.
Keep toilet lids down and don't leave a filled bathtub unattended.
No matter how vigilant pet owners are, accidents may still occur.
"When your pet is injured, seeing a veterinarian as soon as possible should be your main objective, but performing some quick and effective first aid can contribute to your cat's recovery," said Steve Hansen, D.V.M., Senior Vice President of The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Center.
Pet owners can aid in the treatment of minor injuries or temporarily treat more involved injuries if they have the proper tools and guidance. The ASPCA recommends keeping a first aid kit stocked with items appropriate to your type of pet.
"Don't assume you can reach into your own medicine cabinet. In fact, some medicines, such as acetaminophen, are toxic for cats," says Dr. Hansen.
The ASPCA urges you to "Make Pet Adoption Your First Option" and to spay or neuter your pet. To learn more, visit www.aspca.org.
----
A free kit (plus shipping and handling) containing first aid essentials for cats and a guide booklet on how to treat emergencies is available September through November 2004 when you redeem 150 Paw Points (while supplies last). Paw Points are found on specially-marked packages of Fresh Step and Scoop Away cat litter. For information about the Paw Points reward program, visit www.mypawpoints.com.
© Health News Digest.com 2004 All Rights Reserved.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment