13 Surprising Things You Should Never Let Your Cat Play With
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Cats love to play and if you have cats it’s hard not to laugh at the most random things that they do. They like swatting at a bouncing ball, or pouncing on a dangling string; all things shiny, moving or crinkly has them spellbound. Not every household object is a safe toy for your feline friend, though. In fact, some things that seem harmless can be dangerous to their health.
As a cat parent, it’s easy to forget how dangerous everyday items can be when left within paw’s range. Since cats don’t arrive with built in safety guide, it’s on us to learn what to protect from their play zone. So let’s take a look at some surprising things your cat shouldn’t play with—and why—to help make your cat safe.
Rubber Bands
Many cats can’t resist rubber bands because they are stretchy and bouncy. They can, however, cause serious digestive problems, including blockages, if they are swallowed. Things like rubber bands tend to be common culprits for emergency surgeries for cats, veterinarians say.
Holiday Decorations and Tinsel
Cats love to play with tinsel, but it’s a hidden danger. It can cut and twist its way through the intestines causing serious internal injuries if ingested. It’s best to keep your festive decor well out of reach during the holidays.
Electrical Cords

More than a damaged appliance, chewing on electrical cords can cause electric shocks, burns or worse. To keep your wiring from becoming cat food, try using cord covers or deterrent sprays.
Small Toys With Removable Parts
Buttons or eyes on stuffed animals are choking hazards for cats. If they swallow these pieces they can cause serious complications in their digestive system. Make sure your cat doesn’t play with toys that have loose bits and always inspect them before allowing your cat to play with them.
String and Yarn
If your cat swallows just a small piece of string, it can get stuck in their intestines, which is potentially life threatening. The most common ingestion hazards for cats include ‘linear foreign bodies’ like string, according to Research Gate.
Plastic Bags
You cat might find plastic bags a crinkly wonderland, but unfortunately, they can be a deadly business. Small plastic bits can either accidentally be suffocated on or ingested, which can cause a cat to choke or have digestive difficulties. Hill’s Pet Nutrition says that plastic in particular grabs cats’ attention, both for its texture and the noises it makes, making it even more dangerous.
Coins and Small Metal Objects
Shiny things attract cats’ attention, but cats love to swallow coins and other such things and this would cause a big problem. The metals in coins can sometimes be toxic to cats, causing nausea or poisoning, and they’re also a choking hazard.
Potted Plants
Lilies and poinsettias are among many common houseplants toxic to cats. Battling at leaves or chewing on stems may seem innocent, but it can result in vomiting, diarrhea or worse. If you’re looking to make your home cat friendly, here’s a list of cat safe plants.
Hair Ties
Your cat may think hair ties are harmless little rings of joy, but when swallowed, they can really cause some havoc. They can cause intestinal blockages, just like rubber bands, and often need surgery to fix. Tuck these away in a drawer where curious paws can’t get at them.
Aluminum Foil Balls
Sure, a crinkly ball of foil might keep your cat amused for hours, but small pieces can break off while it’s playing and be swallowed. Also, the sharp edges of aluminum foil can cut your cat’s mouth or insides, causing pain and possibly infection.
Feathers From Craft Supplies
Toy feathers made for cats are usually safe, but craft feathers that are dyed with chemicals are poisonous if eaten. A stray craft feather in your cat’s paws could result in serious health problems.
Bottle Caps
Bottle caps made of plastic or metal may look like fun, easy-to-bat toys, but they can be a real choking hazard. Secondly, some caps have sharp edges that can cut your cat’s gums or mouth.
Pencils and Pens
Although cats love to roll pens and pencils around, they’re not great for chewing. The pointy ends can cut your cat’s mouth and if she bites off a small piece, it can cause choking or digestive issues. Avoid and stick to safer alternatives meant for pets.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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