Household hazards including toxic plants, chemicals, and dangerous objects represent preventable welfare risks for indoor cats that owners can address through environmental safety measures.
Indoor cat household safety is an important but often overlooked welfare consideration. The welfare benefit of keeping cats indoors must not be undermined by preventable indoor hazards. Lily toxicity in cats is particularly dangerous because even small exposures to pollen cause acute kidney failure requiring immediate emergency treatment. Linear foreign body ingestion from string and elastic bands causes painful intestinal perforation. Basic hazard identification and removal, window screening in high-rise residences, and secure storage of toxic substances are straightforward welfare improvements any cat owner can implement at minimal cost.