Cats at Home - some advice

Keep your windows screened at all times
Never assume that your kitty will be able to keep her balance on the window sill. Even the most agile of cats is bound to take a dangerous fall given enough trips to an unsecured window sill.

Always keep your cat ID'ed
You never know when your indoors-only cat will somehow get outside unsupervised. A cat collar with a clear ID tag that contains your name, phone number and a request to call that number if the cat is ever found outdoors, can truly save your cat's life and bring her back to you.

Triple check appliances where your cat may hide
Stories of cats caught in a washing machine or a dryer aren't just urban legends. Don't allow these appliances to become playing or resting areas. Keep their doors shut when not in use. And when you do use them, always triple check before running them!

Keep sharp utensils away from your cat's reach
A sharp knife can cut a curious tongue or paw, if left on the table or counter, still covered in tempting gravy.

Clear your house of anything that your cat might ingest
Hobbies that involve threads, needles, glue and small pieces can turn your home into a kitty minefield. Especially when dealing with active kittens, make sure that anything that might be ingested is out of reach.

Keep your toilet lid closed when not in use
If you have a kitten in your home, you could be saving her from jumping in and drowning. An older cat may be tempted to drink from the toilet water. Not only gross, but a risk of ingesting some of the disinfectants used in toilets.

Remove poisonous plants
Check lists of plants that are toxic to cats and simply take those out of your home. While not all cats nibble on greenery, it's best to avoid the risk, especially when bringing home a new cat or kitten.

Bundle all cords
Chewing an electrical cord can be fatal, and pulling on it may bring down an appliance that could injure your cat. Lamps can be strangulation hazards. or tie them off out of reach.

Keep garbage secure

Garbage with dangerous items such as bones and sharp tins in a trash can with a sturdy lid and latch. Plastic bags are as dangerous for cats as they are for small children so make sure you securely stow your plastic bags or keep them in a sealed recycle bin.

Characteristics of Birman Cats

Poisoning foods for cats

All of the foods in this list are dangerous to cats and should never be given to them:

Onions and garlic contain compounds that can break down a cat's red blood cells. 

Alcohol is very toxic for cats. It only takes a few spoonfuls to kill a cat. 

Coffee, tea and chocolate are dangerous to cats. Caffeine, as well as some ingredients found in chocolate, should not be ingested by cats. 

Xylitol is a common sweetener contained in gum, candy and toothpaste. If ingested, it can cause liver failure in cats. 

Yeast dough could ferment and expand after ingestion, causing severe stomach pain. What's more, the yeast produces a certain amount of alcohol which in itself is toxic to cats. 

Grapes and raisins - it looks like some cats are not adversely affected by these, but they are known to be harmful to dogs, and without established contradicting evidence pertaining to cats, they are best avoided. 

Avocados - this fruit may attract some cats due to its high fat content. However, it can be harmful to cats and upset their stomach. 

Nuts in general, and Macadamia nuts specifically may pose a health risk for cats. While there is no concrete evidence for this, they are best avoided.

Almonds and other fruit kernels are also toxic to cats due to their high content of cyanide. 

Potatoes and tomatoes - both contain toxic compounds which are dangerous to cats, especially when they are still green. Ripe tomatoes should be safe, as are any cooked tomatoes or potatoes.

Liver contains high levels of vitamin A. The cat's body cannot get rid of excess vitamin A and in high doses, this can be toxic and even fatal.

About cat's litter box

Keep it Private
Cats prefer to eliminate away from their living areas (the equivalent of "the nest" area). Keeping their litter box away from traffic-heavy areas of your home provides them with the sense of privacy and security needed.

Stay away from food and water dishes
Never place the litter box next to the cat's food and water dishes. In fact, avoid having these at the same room altogether. This goes back to the need to eliminate away from "the nest". If you place them too close, your cat may be forced to make a choice between feeding and using the litter box… and since food is only in the dish, you could be facing litter box avoidance issues.

Keep it Quiet
Make sure your cat isn't startled by any sudden noises while using the litter box. These could be children running by, a door that suddenly opens on the box or a washing machine starting a new cycle. Some cats are more sensitive to sudden noises than others. For these cats, it may only take one bad scare to drive them away from the litter box for good.