Page 205 - The Complete Cat Breed Book (DK)

PREP ARING F OR ARRIV AL 203

OUTDOOR THREATS TOP TIPS
■ Keep your cat indoors
during firework displays.
Close doors and windows,
mask the noise with music,
and let your cat hide if he
wants to. Don’t reassure
him—this may be taken as a
sign that you too are afraid.
A pheromone plug-in may
help your cat to stay calm.
■ Cat sunblock can be
bought from pet shops. Cats
with white coats or patches
of white are susceptible to
sunburn, since the skin under
SUNBURN the fur is also pale. Use only
FOXES SNAKES OTHER CATS FIREWORKS
(WHITE CATS) cat-friendly sunblock.

and their claws, but they may harm kittens. Snakes are an
issue in some places, mainly because cats prey on them and
sometimes get bitten in the process. There are cat-friendly
snake-repellent products on the market. Always examine
your pet carefully after a fight with a neighborhood cat,
in case he has injuries that need a vet’s attention. In urban
areas, the greatest threat will be from traffic, so do your
best to prevent your cat from being able to reach the road.

Dangerous plants
Some plants are toxic to cats if eaten (see below). Remove
these dangerous plants from the garden. Keep houseplants
off the floor and low tables, and cover the soil with bark
chips or pebbles to discourage digging. If your cat must
nibble indoors, buy special cat grass plants from nurseries
and keep them away from other plants to avoid confusion.
NATURALLY CURIOUS
Cats will inspect and explore whatever and wherever they DANGEROUS PLANTS
can. Make sure cupboards cannot be opened, and always INDOORS OUTDOORS
put away sharp knives, scissors, pins, and tacks.
■ Dieffenbachia ■ Cactus ■ Azalea
■ Poinsettia ■ Potted bulbs— ■ Hydrangea
Beware of leaving small objects lying around: cats can swallow ■ Mistletoe crocus, daffodils ■ Nightshade
or choke on things such as toys, bottle caps, pen tops, and ■ Lily ■ Philodendron ■ Oleander
erasers. Tuck away wiring on electrical appliances and pull up ■ Nicotiana
dangling cords so your cat cannot drag a lamp or iron onto ■ Tomato leaves
himself. Fit unused electrical sockets with childproof covers. ■ Potato leaves
■ Rhododendron
Safety outdoors ■ Yew
After assessing your home, carry out a “safety audit” of your ■ Monkshood
garden and yard. Remove sharp, potentially harmful objects
and prevent access to sheds and greenhouses. Even if you try
to secure your yard from animal intruders, you will always
have some ”visitors.” Foxes are usually wary of mature cats