Cat Safety Tips
Catify your home:
Avoid poisonous plants
Avoid extreme cleaning products
Keep medicine and pills locked away
Be cautious with breakable items
Tie up the cords for blinds
Make sure trash can and toilet lids are firmly closed
Tuck away and secure electrical cords
Make sure windows and window screens are secure
Latch your cabinets and drawers if necessary
Keep their litter box clean:
Your cat will greatly appreciate you if you keep their litter box clean! It can be an annoying chore, but scooping once a day will keep your cat happy and healthy. If the litter box is too dirty, man cats will choose to do their business outside of it.
Learn about cat body language:
Cats communicate mostly through their body language and they are very different from dogs. Whether they have an arched back, puffed up tail, flat ears, or wagging their tail they are trying to tell you something.
Learn more:
6 Things Your Cat is Saying to You
Be Aware of the Following Around your Cat:
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Raw meat
Xylitol
Coffee, tea, and other caffeine
Grapes and raisins
Chocolate
Salt
Nuts
Onions, garlic, and chives
Fruits with pits
Milk & Dairy
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Lilies
Sago Palm
Tulips
Azalea/Rhododendron
Oleander
Amaryllis
Autumn Crocus
Chrysanthemum
Pothos
Daffodils
Aloe
Mistletoe
Ivy
Holly
Monstera
Snake Plant
Poinsettia
Visit the ASPCA website for the full list: Toxic & Non-Toxic Plant List - Dogs
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Alcohol, tobacco, and nicotine
Marijuana and other substances
Bleach
Household cleaners
Insecticides/Rodenticides
Antifreeze
Medications
Detergents
Batteries
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Decorations such as ornaments, string lights, and tinsel.
Holiday Plants such as Evergreens and Jerusalem Cherry
Electrical cords
Candles
Chocolate and other sweets/candy
Turkey Bones and Carcass
Leftovers in the trash
Baked Goods
Fatty Foods like meats, gravy, and potatoes
If you think your cat has ingested one of the above items, call your local emergency vet or Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) immediately.
Check out Jackson Galaxy’s Youtube Channel for an extensive catalog of videos giving advice about about cat safety, cat behavior, catification, introducing cats, cat health and well being, traveling with cats, and numerous other topics.
Cat & Dog CPR
Source: redcross.org
1
Check for breathing and a heartbeat…
Check to see if the pet is breathing and check for a heartbeat. If you do not see your pet’s chest moving and cannot find a heartbeat, begin CPR with chest compressions.
2
Give chest compressions…
Place your hands on your pet as follows:
For cats, small dogs and deep chested dogs, place the heel of one of your hands directly over the pet’s heart and place your other hand directly over the first hand.
For deep chested dogs, place the heel of one hand over the widest part of the chest and place your other hand directly over the first hand.
For barrel chested dogs, place the dog on its back, place one hand over the widest part of the sternum, and place your other hand directly over the first hand. Lock your elbows and make sure your shoulders are directly above your hands.
Then, push hard and push fast at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute, compressing 1/3 to 1/2 the width of your pet’s chest. Make sure the chest comes back fully (recoils) before compressing again.
Perform 30 chest compressions
3
Then Give Rescue Breaths…
To give rescue breaths, gently close the pet’s mouth and extend the pet’s neck to open the airway. Cover your pet’s nose with your mouth and exhale until you see the pet’s chest rise. Give a second rescue breath.
4
Continue CPR…
Continue giving CPR with a cycle of 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths until your dog or cat begins breathing again on its own.
5
Check again for breathing and a heartbeat…
Briefly check for breathing and a heartbeat every 2 minutes.
6
Get Help…
Continue CPR until you reach a veterinary hospital.