Kittens are naturally inquisitive, which can often lead to serious injury. Here are some tips on how you can make your house safer for the new arrival:
* That's shocking! Kittens love to chew when teething. Keep electrical wires out of reach, or use a pet-repellant spray to coat the wires.
* They'd die for some chocolate! Chocolate can be dangerous. It contains Theobromine, a powerful stimulant that is toxic to pets. Sweets, cakes and cookies can also upset the G.I. tract and lead to diarrhea and vomiting.
* Treats can be threats! Never give turkey, chicken, or rib bones as a treat. They can splinter and cause serious injury.
* Common household killers - Cleaning agents, bleach, ammonia, disinfectants, drain cleaner, oven cleaner, gasoline, rat poison. Keep the all locked up!
* Check the anti-freeze! Pets are attracted to the odor and sweet taste of anti-freeze. Store it high and tightly sealed, wiping any spills on the garage floor. Window-washing solution also contains anti-freeze. And remember, engine warmth promotes cat naps, so honk your horn to wake pets under the hood.
* Killer house plants - Poisonous plants include many from the lily family! See toxic plant list below.
* Keep of the grass! If you treat your lawn with chemicals, keep pets away.
* It fit yesterday! Collars and harnesses can be rapidly outgrown, leading to serious wounds. Check your cat's collars regularly, especially on that growing kitten! Two fingers should easily fit underneath the collar.
* Personal care items and medications - Cosmetics, shampoos, skin creams, hair solutions, depilatories, suntan lotions, sleeping pills, antihistamines, aspirin and acetaminophen can all be lethal.
* It's not a toy! Do not leave plastic bags out! Inquisitive young animals, especially kittens, can suffocate or get their neck caught in the handles!
* The heat is on! Watch out for hot irons, coffee pots, space heaters, stove tops...Kittens will soon be able to jump to new heights.
* A dip tip-Keep covers on hot tubs and swimming pools. Kittens can easily fall in and not be able to get out!
* Kittens are attracted to warmth. Be very cautious when doing laundry because they can sneak into the dryer very easily without your knowing it.
* Br-r-r-r-r-r it's cold in there! Curious kittens have been known to get into everything including the refrigerator! Be careful! A great idea is to have a little bell on your cats collar so you know of his/her whereabouts all the time.
* 'Tis the season! Keep holly, mistletoe and especially Christmas tree tinsel out of reach.
* Cozy up! Always use a fireplace screen.
* Do you eat with that mouth? If any or all of something will fit in a mouth, it's dangerous. Watch out for cigarette butts, rubber bands, balloons, sewing needles, thread, string, ribbons, pantyhose...because what goes in must come out, often via surgery.
