Beware of Oral Care: Cat Killers Hiding in your Bathroom

Toothpaste and Mouthwash

We know not to eat toothpaste. It’s universally accepted to be bad for us. But cats don’t have the luxury of common knowledge. Cats are curious and if a smell entices them, they’re likely to explore it the way cats do: with their whiskers, their nose, and their mouth. Chemicals found in both toothpaste and mouthwash like fluoride and xylitol are toxic for cats. Even small amounts are enough to poison and possibly kill your kitty. 

It’s not unlikely to think your own cat would know better, and to that you could be right. Not all cats are recklessly curious. But unfortunately all cats do, in fact, clean themselves. If your cat explores your bathroom and gets some leftover toothpaste or spilled mouthwash on his fur, he’s going to clean up, and he’s going to ingest the harmful chemicals. 

Remember, when caring for your cat's own teeth, always use cat-specific toothpaste. 

Floss

Another, less obvious, bathroom-killer, wears a very deceiving mask. When your kitty is exploring the bathroom, he may catch a whiff of something yummy. Steak, maybe? Or, perhaps, that cookie you had for dessert? When we floss our teeth, we’re removing the tiny remnants and crumbs of our meals. Those particles remain on the floss when we throw it out, releasing scents our cats are naturally drawn to. Cats mistakenly consume our used floss strings which can lead to intestinal perforation or blockage, oftentimes resulting in death if not treated immediately. 

Solutions

Life is unpredictable, it’s unrealistic to have eyes on our cats all hours of the day. To avoid any accidents, sometimes fatal, we need to take preventative measures that don’t require 24 hour supervision. Firstly, consider placing a trash can with a lid in your bathroom so even the sneakiest kitties can’t get any ideas. Always be sure to clean up after yourself after your nightly self-care routine. Lastly, always shut the door behind you when you’re finished to avoid any scares.