There is an old saying about ‘curiosity killed the cat’ which you have undoubtedly heard. This saying can be only too true when it comes to cat poisons inside and outside your home. Remember that owning a cat brings with it responsibilities and one of these is making your home safe for it. It is exactly the same as if you have children living in or visiting your home. You need to make it safe for them. As cats are able to get into places that children can’t, you need to be extra vigilant about what is left lying around.
Are you aware that Paracetamol and Aspirin are extremely dangerous to cats? That if your cat eats just one Paracetamol tablet that may have spilled out of the bottle, it changes the dynamics of the blood so that it no longer carries oxygen to the body? That Aspirin causes irritation to the intestines which makes your cat lose its appetite? The irritation also causes vomiting, loss of balance and even depression.
Any medication that you have been prescribed or purchased over the counter is suitable for you. Prescription medications should not be given to anyone else. And nothing that you take for any problem should ever be given to your cat.
Many tar based soaps, shampoos and derivatives are also dangerous to your cat and for some reason, cats love to drink water lying in the bathroom. Some products such as creosote are absorbed through the skin. They are also ingested if your cat tries to lick it off. Any tar derivatives will cause severe gastroenteritis along with diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. I’m sure you’ve experienced gastroenteritis at some time and it’s not something I would want my cat to go through.
If you use kerosene, turpentine and petrol, perhaps in a two-stroke lawnmower, make sure your cat cannot get near them. Keep them behind a cat proof door. They can be absorbed as well as ingested during grooming and will cause nausea which includes vomiting and diarrhoea as well as affecting the nervous system.
Please, don’t make the mistake of using your dog’s shampoo on your cat. Dog shampoo is for dogs and contains products that are lethal for cats.
I always use a block deodorant and recently dropped the container. There wasn’t much left but it did break into small pieces. If this happens, make sure you clean it all up as deodorant will make your cat sick.
If you enjoy renovating old houses, be aware that the paint that you are sanding off could contain lead. Your cat can not only breathe in the lead dust, it will be on the fur as well as the paws. This means that the next time your cat grooms itself, which it will do often if it gets dirty and dusty. Lead poisoning will cause your cat to become hyper, rushing with no clear direction of where it wants to go. This hyper activity will most likely lead to muscle weakness, paralysis and convulsions. There can also be loss of appetite along with our friends vomiting and diarrhoea.
Any substances such as bleach, ammonia, disinfectants, furniture polish, acetones, mothballs, fungicides, herbicides and pesticides, or any cleaners or oils to do with cars that are in your home must be kept in a locked cupboard. A good rule of thumb is anything you wouldn’t want your children in contact with must be kept out of your cat’s reach.
Cat poisoning is serious and can very quickly lead to death. If you suspect that your cat has been poisoned, please contact your vet or emergency animal hospital. If your cat is having convulsions, make sure your wear long sleeves and gardening gloves. Your cat will not be aware of what is happening or where he is and you could be bitten or scratched. Where at all possible, take the packaging or a sample of what your cat has ingested. This will make it easier for your vet to diagnose and treat your cat quickly.
Continue reading about Cat Poisons – Some Common Household Toxins
Your older cat’s body will go through changes that can and often do cause problems. Those of us who have reached what is called a ‘respectable’ age, have probably found that our bodies don’t work as well as they used to. Your cat is no different so you need to be aware of what is going on and what to look for.
Movement
Older cats can become arthritic, especially if they have been injured in the past. Some cats might show some stiffness when moving around, others may be showing signs of pain. They may no longer be able to jump up onto the furniture or your lap easily. The bones may become more porous and brittle which increases the risk of them being broken. Your older cat may also start losing muscle tone and mass, making exercise harder. This then leads to a more sedentary life for your cat where the muscles will lose more tone and atrophy. It is important for you to help your older cat exercise. Some gentle games such as batting at a swinging feather, or rolling around in a box full of scrunched up paper will keep those limbs moving. Picking your cat up and placing her on your lap or on her favourite perch will also keep her happy. So will providing some low level places to sleep. Tikki was given a pillow just behind the curtains in our bedroom where she was able to lie in the morning sun. She also had an old pillow on the floor in my office. This was under the desk and near an oil heater. She was comfortable, warm, didn’t need to climb and was near her family.
Coat, Skin and Nails
Some black cats may show signs of going grey as they get older. With the other colours of cats, it may not be so noticeable. However, you may see the coat become duller and thinner as your cat ages. The skin can also become dry which can become a problem. The sebaceous glands secrete less oil onto the skin and coat which can make the coat dryer. As the skin loses is elasticity, it is subject to becoming injured more easily. Older skin takes longer to heal, both in humans and cats.
The nails may also become more brittle and prone to breaking or chipping. They could need to be clipped more often as the older cat will have trouble using the scratching post. If you haven’t clipped your cat’s nails over the years, I suggest getting your vet to do this as the equipment needs to be very sharp. Your vet will also have experience in this and will be able to do it quickly and efficiently.
Hearing and Vision
Cats can and do have problems with their hearing as they age. This can be due to the thickening of the ear drums. Unfortunately you may not be aware of the problem until the hearing loss is advanced. You may notice your cat not responding to your voice or appearing startled when you get close or start to pet it. This startle effect is because your cat didn’t hear you coming. Hearing loss usually cannot be reversed, but you can change the way you interact with your cat by clapping your hands or stamping your feet. Your cat will feel the vibration and be alerted to your presence.
Some cats will develop vision problems as they age. This could be due to complications such as feline diabetes, cataracts or just old age. If this becomes a problem for your older cat, try making the food smell stronger by the addition of some fish oil or whatever your cat enjoys. Also, try to minimise the rearrangement of furniture if your cat is having problems seeing.
Old age is just the next stage of your cat’s life. It does bring with it some problems that must be addressed but these are minor compared to the joy you have received from your cat over the years. My chronological age and my mind’s age are two totally different things with about thirty years between them. I don’t see why it shouldn’t be the same for your cat. And personally, having nearly reached normal retirement age, I am looking forward to a very long and enjoyable old age.
