Tomorrow is the official start to autumn, and danger is in the air. Er, well, so to speak.
Well-meaning cat parents let kitty parade around the garden outside without knowing about common fall hazards that are lurking around the corner. What may seem like harmless fun rolling around in the dirt could turn out to be a trip to the emergency vet.
Common Fall Hazards For Cats: What You Need To Know
Common fall hazards can be both inside and outside the home. It’s not all just pumpkin spice lattes and scented candles, you know. Speaking of scented candles, make sure you have the pet-safe kind in your home. It’s better for both you and your cat.
Outdoor Hazards
If you’re a pet parent who likes to let their kitty go outside, be forewarned: it’s mushroom season.
The ASPCA says this about mushrooms and pets:
“Fall and spring are mushroom seasons. While 99% of mushrooms have little or no toxicity, the 1% that are highly toxic can cause life-threatening problems in pets.”
It’s best to err on the side of caution when it comes to mushrooms and plants. Many common flowers, including daffodils and lilies, are poisonous to cats (however, these are mostly prevalent in spring and summer). If you see your cat eating a mushroom or exhibiting strange behavior after visiting the garden, call the ASPCA’s Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Rodenticides and other poisons meant to kill pests can also cause your cat harm. Mothballs also make the list of common fall hazards. If you have to use these items, make sure to do so where your cat can’t get to them. Many brands offer pet-safe products (ant traps, for example) with instructions on how to keep pets out of them.
Be watchful of your pets when you’re winterizing your vehicles. It only takes a tablespoon or two of antifreeze to kill a cat. Read more about symptoms of antifreeze poisoning and what to do if it happens here.
Indoor Hazards
Fall means it’s time for the kids to go back to school. Among our list of common fall hazards for cats are school supplies. Yes, that’s right – your child’s backpack could pose a threat to your poor kitty.
Ingestion of marker tips, glue or other substances like hand sanitizer usually found in your child’s school supplies can cause blockages, stomach upset and vomiting. Avoid letting your cat lick your hands after you’ve applied hand sanitizer, and advise your children of the same. Such a small amount won’t result in a vet visit, but it will upset kitty’s tummy.
As the season of scented candles comes upon us, remember to keep matches out of your cat’s reach. Those tiny kitty teeth love to chew, and matches are just one more toy for them to play with.
Any fall decorations should be tinsel-free. Tinsel is to cats what a new chew toy is to dogs; just try keeping them away from it. It’s shiny, chewable, and it sparkles like a metallic temptress in your beloved feline’s eyes. Steer clear of tinsel.
Other Animals
Common fall hazards don’t just apply to inanimate objects. Your backyard could be a hub of activity for animals preparing for hibernation. Mr. Bear might just wander by when your cat is outside, so those who see a lot of wild animals during fall should keep their cat indoors.
Snakes are also a danger, especially the venomous ones! Don’t take chances on whether it’s a harmless rat snake or a deadly copperhead – just keep your cat far away from it!
Skunk and raccoon Mexican standoffs too lol. Two of the 5 ferals in the colony we take care of tend to stand up to them but luckily they don’t really intimidate the skunk enough to be sprayed.
I bet it makes for a really cute photo op, though! Well, let’s hope the good luck continues and that those kitties avoid being sprayed. 🙂