Surprising Workplace Items That Can Kill Your Cat

Cats are natural roamers, especially at work when the office environment is super interesting. Cats get everywhere and into everything, including every nook and cranny. But this is why we love them so much. If cats didn’t have this instinct to explore, they wouldn’t be as fun!

Unfortunately, sometimes having fun, comes with risks. Here we will discuss a few workplace items that can kill your beloved cat.

Does curiosity kill the cat?

I hope not! It’s important to make sure that there is nothing dangerous around your workplace that can hurt your furry friend. And by dangerous, I mean items that are ok for humans, but maybe not ok for cats, such as flowers and chocolate!

Can daffodils kill a cat?

Cats love munching on bouquets. Especially the daffodils on your desk, that your secret admirer sent you. But, flowers such as daffodils can cause havoc to your cat! Here some other toxic flowers that you should keep your cat away from.

Lillies

Lillies are beautiful in their own right, and these flowers are regularly on desks. but they can also be deadly dangerous, especially to your cat. Plants that look like lilies, should be kept well away from your cat at all costs.

Every part of the plant including the stem and leaves are toxic. The fragrance may even irritate your furry friend. Eating one or two leaves from a lily can cause liver failure. The first sign of Lilly toxicity is usually vomiting, but some symptoms take 12 or more hours to develop.

Some other symptoms can include decreased appetite. increased or decreased thirst and urination, drooling, vomiting, shakiness and seizures.

Jade plants

These plants are great for the workplace and inexperienced gardeners because they can live for a long time without you caring for them much. You only need to water jade plants every 2 or 3 weeks… They are difficult to kill and they are very good at recovering from trauma.

However, should your office cat have a bite of a Jade plant, your cat may not be as resilient. Jade plants can be fatal to cats and can cause lots of discomforts if digested.

Swiss cheese plants

The Swiss Cheese Plant is an exotic looking plant, that looks wonderful in the workplace. But should your cat get too close, your cat may suffer from a burning mouth, excessive drooling, and vomiting sensation.

Some many other plants and flowers are poisonous for your feline friend, so do your research before making your office look nice. If you suspect your cat has eaten any of the plants above, it is important to take them to the vet immediately, with the plant/flower if possible. Acting fast can prevent your cat from dying or become seriously ill.

String/Yarn

It’s a known fact that cats love playing with a ball of yarn or string. But there are dangers in this when your cat is playing keep an eye on them. Cats can easily get tangled up.

The string can also get caught in a cat’s digestive system. Their tongues are covered in barbs, so it’s very hard for cats to spit string or yarn out. Should this happen, Surgery may be the only option to remove it.

Medicine

Cats love scrummaging through desk draws and touring on desks. Ensure that all medications are out of your cats reach, and make colleagues aware of the dangers. Most human medications including vitamins can hurt cats if they are eaten.

Cats can especially be drawn to antidepressants because they smell good. Cats can act on drugs as they do to catnip… But the side effects are fatal.

If you ever suspect your cat has eaten human medication or vitamins it is important to call your vet straight away.

Even If your cat has been trained not to jump on desks and rummage through draws, they still might do it every once in a while, so be careful.

Make sure that all of the lids on medication bottles are fastened and secure.

Stop poisoning your cat!

Some workplaces have problems with rodents. This may be why you have an office cat. However, don’t mix having a cat with using rat or mice poison. These poisons are deadly for every animal, including us.

Cats love hunting and eating rats and mice. If these rodents have eaten poison, and your cat gets one, the poison will transfer to the cat. If you have a pest problem, consider using a different method for taking care of it.

Symptoms of being poisoned include; Bruising, bleeding gums, blood in urine, faeces and vomit, Weakness, accelerated breathing, and being bloated.

What foods can’t Cats eat?

Sometimes while enjoying a 5-star lunch at work, the cat may want to experience what you’re eating. However, they shouldn’t always eat the same as us.

Onions and Garlic

If you want to keep yourself to yourself at work, eating onions and garlic is a great way to go. But your will also be alienating the cats in the office, as onions and garlic can surprisingly cause them anaemia.

Chocolate

Who doesn’t enjoy Chocolate in the office? It’s a treat that every office work deserves after a hard morning at work. But, it’s just as poisonous to cats as it is to dogs. Chocolate contains methylxanthines which are toxic to them.

Symptoms of chocolate poisoning in cats are vomiting, diarrhoea, increased thirst, high body temperatures, increased heart rate, and seizures.

Latte

Keep that latte to yourself, Similar to chocolate, caffeine contains methylxanthines which again is toxic for cats.

Alcohol

Unless you work for an advertising or design agency, you probably shouldn’t be drinking alcohol. But just so you know, alcohol should not be given to cats.

Symptoms can include; diarrhoea, vomiting, lack of coordination, seizures, problems breathing, and even death.

Grapes and raisins:

Grapes and raisins cause kidney failure. Avoid giving your cat a grape, even if your cat is brushing up against you while purring. Instead have some alternative cat treats handy.

Workplace Chemicals

This one probably goes without saying but there are a lot of workplace chemicals that are harmful to your cat. I advise keeping your cat away from all of them.

When toilets are being scrubbed, make sure the cat is not in the room.

Should you have an office cleaner, make sure they are aware of the workplace pets, especially when toilets are being scrubbed. Cleaning products and chemicals should be stored away correctly.