Wychwood Russian Blue Cats

Feline Safety

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Of course it is such a pleasure to have the company of our pets when we enjoy our gardens, but whether it is becoming the victim of a road or traffic accident, being enticed to live with a neighbour who feels sorry that your poor darling is not being fed enough, or eating something which is poisonous, there are numerous dangers which pose threats to the cat in the outdoor world. In Britain, we do not have predators like coyotes or raccoons, but dog-bating has become a worrying trend. Many people know the danger of lilly flowers to cats, but not so many are aware that anti-freeze for cars smells delicious to cats and is lethal to them. Always make sure that you use flea products that are specifically safe for cats, and never use anti-flea products for dogs, because flea products containing permethrin are fatal to cats.

For a very comprehensive list of garden plants, follow this link to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) for an excellent database on toxic plants: Here. You can customise the ASPCA plant list for cats, dogs or horses, and you can also select plants that are toxic, or select plants that are safe to use when planning your garden planting. Please make sure that when using this list, you bring the Latin name of the plant to your vet to avoid confusion with common names. The Feline Advisory Bureau has an excellent page about the Hidden Dangers Of Plants, Here. However, their list is not illustrated.

Always seek veterinary advice in case of poisoning, because every minute counts towards saving the life of your pet. As a precautionary measure, Cornell University has an excellent list of toxic substances, both within the home and outside, which you can use to keep your cat safe. This list is particularly important when planing to safety-proof your home in preparation for your new kitten. Please follow the link for Cornell University, Here. The Feline Advisory Bureau also advises us of the dangers of Chocolate, Cocoa mulch in gardens, Dettol and WD40,Here.

I am of the persuasion that it is better to be safe than sorry, so at any sign of illness, do not attempt to induce vomitting, just safely rush your darling the the vet without further delay.

-Every minute counts.

© Wychwood Russian Blue Cats 2010