Page 81 - Complete Cat Care: How To Keep Your Cat Healthy and Happy

▽ Outdoor dangers ▷ Paint hazard
Some cats are tempted to chew Cats can easily get wet paint on
house or garden plants. To minimize themselves if they walk through it
risks, make sure to move or get rid or rub up against it, or if they
of any plants that might be toxic. explore open paint cans.

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■ Lilies—all parts (including the ■ Dog medicines can be toxic to cats. Choking and poisoning
pollen) are toxic to cats, damaging In addition, never give medicine
the kidneys. prescribed for one cat to another—
■ Spider plants—although not it may be harmful for that cat. Bait for vermin
highly toxic, the bitter taste causes ■ “Spot-on” flea treatments can Rat and mouse poisons, and slug
salivation, vomiting, and lethargy. be toxic if swallowed, so apply baits, are designed to kill pests
them to the back of the cat’s neck, but can also be lethal for cats.
These poisons can attack the cat's
Medicines and foods where the cat cannot reach while nervous system, causing muscle
Medicines and, surprisingly, some grooming himself. tremors, unsteadiness, collapse,
of our food can sometimes be ■ Dangerous human foods include and seizures. Some rat or mouse
harmful for cats. alcoholic or caffeinated drinks, poisons can also cause internal
bleeding. Your cat may be at risk
■ Human medicines are an obvious chocolate, garlic, grapes and raisins, if he eats the poison directly or if
hazard. Acetaminophen is and onions. Do not let your cat eat he eats a poisoned prey animal.
especially dangerous—even one these or walk on tables or worktops If your cat has swallowed vermin
tablet can be fatally toxic to a cat. while you are preparing food. bait, call the vet and take the cat
in immediately, together with the
packet of bait (or the remains of
“If a cat has a toxic substance on his coat or any prey animals). The vet will
make your cat vomit to expel the
paws, wrap the cat in a towel so it cannot poison, and may give an antidote
if possible. Never try to make your
lick off any more of the substance.” cat vomit yourself.

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