Household Items That Are Dangerous to Cats

Antifreeze

• When it comes to cats, one of the most dangerous items found in domestic settings is antifreeze that contains ethylene glycol. This substance has a sweet taste that animals love, but can be fatal even if consumed in small amounts. However, antifreeze that contains propylene glycol is far safer for animals, so it's a better choice for your pet-friendly household.

Home Improvement Products

• Liquid home improvement items like cleaning products, paints and varnishes are some of the top cat poisons in the home. That means everything from wood polish to acetone to toilet bowl cleaner should be kept out of cats' reach. (See: Reference 2)

Seasonal Outdoor Products

• Many items sprayed or dusted around the outside of the home can be dangerous to cats. Lawn and garden chemicals like fertilizer, pesticides, and even plant food can be fatal if consumed by cats. In turn, de-icing salts that are used to melt ice and snow on driveways and walkways are paw irritants that can act as poisons when ingested by cats that lick their paws.

Linear Objects

• String, hair ties, rubber bands, dental floss and other linear objects are some of the most common objects veterinarians surgically remove from cats. These objects often make fun toys, but when swallowed, they can wrap around the intestines or loop underneath the cat's tongue. Make sure you supervise your cat when playing with linear objects, and always store them safely out of reach.

Medications

• Just like children, cats are at risk when human medications are left out in the open. Even over-the-counter medications like aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, decongestants, diet pills and vitamins can be toxic to cats. Consider prescription medications just as dangerous. Ointments and creams can also cause problems when cats chew on their tubes and packaging. The safest bet is to keep all medications behind closed cabinet doors.

Plants

• Cats are known to chew on houseplants, which can be a harmless or deadly habit, depending on the plant. Plants that are most poisonous to cats include lilies, mistletoe, azalea, dieffenbachia (dumb cane) and philodendron.

Rawhide

• For cats who live with dogs, rawhide chews can be a source for illness. These types of "bones" or chews can be contaminated with salmonella, which can cause infection in cats who gnaw or consume the material. Rawhides also provide potential choking hazards.

Human Food

• While many pet owners enjoy feeding their animals "people food," certain human snacks can be dangerous to cats. For example, treats like chicken bones often shatter and can choke a cat attempting to chew on or consume leftovers. Other human foods to keep away from cats include onions and foods that contain onion powder; chocolate; coffee in all forms; alcohol; yeast dough; salt; nuts; tomato, potato, and rhubarb leaves and stems; grapes; and anything showing signs of mold growth.