Safety

Permethrin and pyrethrum are insecticides that help control parasites, such as fleas and ticks. Sadly, there have been many instances of permethrin poisoning in cats, often by cat owners who have unintentionally poisoned their cat by applying their dog’s spot-on flea treatment. Unlike dogs, cats lack the enzyme needed to detox products containing permethrin or pyrethrum. … [Read more...] about Permethrin Poisoning in Cats: What You Need to Know

How much thought do you spare for the safe storage and use of pet medicines? You wouldn’t be the first person to leave the childproof lid off your cat’s meds and keep the open bottle on the countertop. But this invites problems on so many levels. There are veterinary poison advice lines and these are a first point of contact when a pet has been poisoned. They also keep … [Read more...] about Pet Medicine Safety: Storage and Disposal

It is a rare cat that scavenges and eats something she shouldn’t, so poisoning isn’t necessarily a problem at the forefront of a cat guardian’s mind. However, cats are still at very real risk of toxicity, even in the safety of their own home. At the root of the issue is the cats’ inability to break down many common drugs, plus their fastidious grooming habits place them … [Read more...] about Poisoning in Cats: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Medical emergencies happen at random when we least expect them. Our previous cats lived an indoor/outdoor life and as a result were exposed to greater dangers and accidents. Angel Rose came home one evening with a broken leg, Angel Bowie was run over by a car on our steep downhill driveway, Angel Ginger went fishing by the creek and came back with a fish hook lodged firmly in … [Read more...] about Be Prepared for a Pet Medical Emergency

Accidents happen. Whilst no one thinks it will happen to their pet, the wise owner plans for the unexpected. The aim of pet first aid is to stabilise your pet before taking her to a vet. In a true emergency your actions could save a life, but there’s also a risk (especially with cats) of doing more harm than good. Indeed, the first rule of first aid is to recognise when … [Read more...] about Pet First Aid Tips: What to Do in an Emergency

It’s ironic that indoor cats are so strongly favoured on safety grounds, whilst the dangers lurking within the home are often overlooked. It’s true there are no motor vehicles or venomous snakes inside, but this doesn’t mean living indoors is risk free. To raise awareness of household hazards and ensure your home is as feline friendly as possible, here are 10 common … [Read more...] about 10 Common Household Poisons Dangerous to Your Cat

As a loving pet parent, you probably want to show your cat all the love and affection you can, but how safe is it to kiss your cat? And should you kiss your cat on the mouth? Many people, in particular those who aren’t owned by a cat themselves, are repulsed by the thought of a human kissing their cat, “he licks his bum with that mouth!”, but to you it’s just another sign of … [Read more...] about Is it Safe to Kiss Your Cat?

Before you 'Deck the Halls' this season, we'd like to remind you that there are many Christmas plants toxic to cats. We recommend that you keep these plants out of your cat's reach, behind closed doors in another room, or out of the house entirely. It's always best to err on the side of caution where your cat's health and safety is concerned. Holly and Mistletoe The berries … [Read more...] about Holly, Mistletoe and Other Christmas Plants Toxic to Cats

In recognition of Pet Fire Safety Day we share our tips to help prevent accidental fires from starting in the home and discuss how to protect your pets (cats, dogs and any other furry creatures) from summer bushfires. Pets and Accidental Fires One winter evening many years ago, Angel Onyx (1998 - 2014) almost started a fire in our home when he decided it was a good idea to … [Read more...] about Pet Fire Safety Day – How to Keep Your Pets and Home Safe

During the hot summer months when the temperatures soar outside, humans, cats and dogs are all at increased risk of heatstroke and sunburn. Here’s what you need to know about heatstroke and sunburn to ensure your cat enjoys summer safely. What are the signs? Heatstroke in Cats Heatstroke is not as common in cats as it is in dogs, but your cat can still be susceptible to heat … [Read more...] about Summer Safety for Cats: Heatstroke and Sunburn