International Cat Day was created in 2002 to raise awareness for our feline friends. Its other main goal is to protect cats. That’s a good opportunity for you to brush up on your pet safety and emergency preparedness know-how so you can continue to protect your cat from any kind of danger.
A good way to celebrate the occasion is to adopt a cat and give her a nice home. If you’re already a cat parent, you probably have a party planned for her. That’s great but you can do better by taking the party to the local animal shelter. Provide the animals with what they need such as cat food, medicines, and toys. They’ll need all the support they can get even if they have nine lives. Check out the pet safety tips below and see if you can get some ideas on what the residents at the animal shelter may need.
Home Safety Tips for Cats
Hide the Breakables
It’s a natural instinct for cats to chase things, jump, climb, and just go all-out crazy. Well, they’re not really going crazy but they have so much pent-up energy that they need to burn them up. They also act this way when they see or feel an intruder and when they’re trying to catch prey.
There’s little you can do but hide your valuables so your cat won’t accidentally break them. Keep your valuable china in a cabinet. Check the whole place for breakable items and keep them in safer places. When they do break something, the shards can be dangerous to you and your cat.
Store Chemicals Properly
Cats are a curious bunch and if you’re not careful, they can ingest something that doesn’t agree with them. Worse, they may end up in the veterinarian’s clinic for touching or chewing on something poisonous. If you have house cleaning agents, pesticides, fertilizers, rat poison, and other toxic chemicals at home, make sure you store them properly. Don’t leave them just lying around the house after using them.
Use Child Locks
Place child locks on the cabinet doors where you keep the breakables and toxic stuff. Some cats are smart enough to figure out how to open cabinets so installing child locks should do the trick. They’re also necessary if you have small children.
Protect Your Electrical Cords and Cables
It can be dangerous for humans to trip on cords and cables. Frayed cables are especially deadly and may give you the shock of your lives if you’re not careful. These alone should be enough reasons to secure your electrical wires properly.
As for your feline friend, she may also get electrocuted from touching frayed cords. Kittens also love chewing on stuff and electrical cables are no different. Curiosity can really be tragic for your cat if she chews on a live wire.
Unplug all cords when not in use. Tie the cables and place them where they won’t pose a danger. Use cord protectors, too. A better option is to go wireless. Invest in wireless devices and avoid the annoying task of untangling cords.
Get Rid of Poisonous Plants
Some plants are poisonous to cats. Some that come to mind include azalea, daffodils, lilies, oleanders, and tulips. When your cat happens to chew on such plants, it may end up puking, lethargic, and even dead.
While plants look nice in your home, you may want to get rid of them to keep your cat safe. Another option is to place them in a room that’s exclusive for you. Just make sure your cat doesn’t get inside this little sanctuary of yours.
Dispose of Potentially Harmful Trash Properly
Some cats like to play with the trash. If you throw stuff like old batteries and disposable razors with the rest of your garbage, they may harm your pets. Before throwing them out, wrap them in paper then place them inside sealed puncture-proof containers.
Pet Safety Tips When Outdoors
Some house cats are allowed to leave your home. Cat parents also have to take their pets out to visit the vet. When the parent goes on a vacation, they sometimes let their cats tag along. Otherwise, they leave their pets with someone they trust. In all these scenarios, you need to take extra precautions to keep your pet cat safe.
Use A Collar and Identification Tag
Place a collar and ID badge on your cat. This will make it easier to find her in case she goes missing. You can also have a microchip implanted in her. The microchip is just as tiny as a rice grain and uses RFID technology to gather the contact information of her owner.
Use A Pet Carrier
Bring a pet carrier every time you step out with your kitty cat. If your cat agrees with having a leash, that would work, too. The important thing is to never let go of your pet while you’re walking or commuting. There’s always the risk of her running away to chase something. This can be dangerous, especially if there are cars passing by.
Vaccinate Your Cat
Cats can get sick, too. Those who can freely go outdoors have a higher risk of getting infected with fleas and other pests. Worse, they can even contract feline leukemia, upper respiratory infection, and other diseases. Vaccinate your little furball from all possible ailments so she’ll be protected even if she’s exposed to sick animals. Ask your vet about this.
Purchase A Pet Tracking Device
Keep tabs on what your cat is up to with a GPS tracker. Use it to monitor her whereabouts. It will be easier to find her in case she doesn’t come home if you have a tracking device.
Take Your Cat Inside Before Dark
Enforce a curfew by bringing your outdoor cat inside before the day ends. It’s more dangerous for your pet to be outside at night. Lure her back inside with treats. Do this regularly until it becomes part of her routine.
Pet Emergency Preparedness
Every household should have an emergency preparedness plan in place. This involves everything you need to prepare and do when disaster strikes. In the event of an emergency such as a hurricane, earthquake, or other catastrophe, you may need to evacuate your home to get to a safer place. An evacuation plan will help make sure everyone gets out safe and sound.
Include Your Cat In Your Evacuation Plan
If you’re a cat owner, you should include your pet in your emergency preparedness plan. Designate someone in the family who will be in charge of your pet. That person makes sure your cat gets inside her carrier and also grabs the pet emergency kit before boarding the car.
Your bug out location needs to be pet friendly. Check local shelters or evacuation centers that allow pets. If there are none, you’re better off making arrangements with a relative or friend outside town to take you in during such tumultuous times. Make sure to store extra supplies for your cat at your bug out location.
Prepare A Bug Out Bag for Your Cat
Ideally, each member of the household should have their own bug out bag. That goes for your cat, too. Of course, she can’t carry a bag. You have to do it for her.
Aside from the cat carrier, you should have a sturdy and waterproof bag to keep your furry friend’s belongings and emergency supplies. Here are some items you need for your pet safety and emergency preparedness that must be included in your cat’s emergency kit:
- Cat leash and harness
- Cat food (canned cat food with easy-open lids or dry cat food kept in Ziploc bags)
- Drinking water (cats need about 8 ounces of water for three days)
- Separate collapsible bowls for food and water
- Portable litter box, litter pan, or an aluminum roasting pan
- Cat litter kept in a Ziploc bag
- Litter scoop
- Pee pads or old towels for the carrier
- Garbage bags
- Latex gloves
- Hand sanitizing wipes
- Liquid soap for cleaning bowls, carriers, etc
- Paper towels
- Nail clipper
- Cat toys
- Medications the cat is taking (about one or two week’s worth)
- First aid kit for cats
- First aid manual for cats
- A waterproof envelope containing the cat’s photo with you, license number, microchip number, vaccination records, prescriptions, veterinarian’s contact number, and other emergency contact numbers
A true cat lover won’t wait for an annual event to celebrate their feline friend. They also don’t have to be reminded of pet safety and emergency preparedness tips. Though it won’t hurt to get a little refresher every now and then. Hopefully, this short guide will help if you’re a new cat owner. For more tips on how to properly care for and protect your pet from harm, go to Gentleman Pirate Club.
