What Are the Things Cats Shouldn't Touch at Home?

There’s a popular joke online about a cat owner who fills their hallway with various items like perfume, foundation, pet brushes, toys, and more. However, the cat manages to skillfully avoid all of these precious objects with its nimble movements, preventing a potential disaster. But did you know that there are certain items and situations in the home that are absolutely off-limits for cats?

1. Electrical Cables We all know that cats are naturally curious and are often attracted to plastic items. Occasionally, they might even chew on plastic pet brushes. The same can apply to electrical wires. If a cat chews on an electric wire, it could be at risk of an electric shock, which is extremely dangerous. To prevent this, if you can't keep the wires out of reach, you should cover them with sturdy and safe protective sleeves. Alternatively, you can distract your cat with a toy or pet brush whenever it shows interest in the wires. 2. Long Strings or Yarn Cats are famously obsessed with yarn. However, while playing with it, cats might accidentally swallow it, leading to potential health problems. For example, if you don't regularly groom your cat with a brush, it might ingest its own hair while licking itself, which can lead to hairballs. The same can happen with yarn or string. Ingesting long strings can lead to blockages in the digestive system or cause other serious health issues. 3. Flickering Candle Flames Some single cat owners like to set up small scented candles in their homes. However, candles should always be kept away from cats. For most cats, fire is both a dangerous and unfamiliar element. If a cat, out of curiosity, gets too close to the flame, it could end up getting burned. 4. Cooked Bones While dogs typically love bones and have no problem digesting them, cats have a much weaker ability to break down bones, especially cooked ones. High heat can cause the bones to calcify, making them harder and more brittle. If you want to provide your cat with some extra nutrition or variety in its diet, it’s best to crush the bones or use softer options like chicken or duck wings, which can be safely mixed into their meals. In addition to these items, some plants are highly toxic to cats and should be carefully avoided. As a cat owner, it's important to stay vigilant about what’s around the house. Beyond regular grooming, it’s also important to avoid feeding your cat high-sugar or high-fat foods, and to keep noise levels down to prevent startling or stressing your cat.