There are some well-known harmful habits and addictions that can affect both humans and animals — smoking, for example.

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But there are also some everyday practices and popular household habits you might not realize could be harmful to you or your cat. Let’s go through some of these.

Candles are not only a fire hazard but their smell can also irritate your cat

1.) Air fresheners, scented candles, diffusers

Many people love having pleasant scents in their home, but it’s important to know how these affect health. Generally, aerosol-based products and artificial fragrances are not recommended even for humans — and if you share your space with a pet, you should be extra cautious. A cat’s nose is much more sensitive, and these scents can easily overwhelm them.

2.) Strong chemicals

While keeping your home clean is important, when you have pets it’s better to choose gentler cleaning products that won’t cause harm if your cat steps in them or happens to lick some up.

There are many natural yet effective products available, and even simple ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, or washing soda can be used in various ways to maintain a tidy home.

3.) How you store waste and leftovers

This is something every pet owner eventually learns: you simply can’t leave trash, food scraps, or even cooking ingredients unattended or within paw’s reach — not even for a short time. Some cats will even rummage through the garbage if it contains bones, meat, or other tempting items. To prevent this, make sure to seal food waste in bags or place it directly into an outdoor bin. Not only is it messy otherwise, but it can also be dangerous or even toxic to your pet.

Many cats are known to dig into the trash looking for tasty leftovers

4.) Ventilation and greeting guests

When you have a cat, you must always be cautious to prevent escape attempts — whether through an open window left ajar or a door that’s been left open too long. Be mindful of open doors and windows, especially when guests arrive or leave.

5.) Decorating

Living with a cat also means rethinking your approach to home décor: avoid putting out anything edible, toxic, or breakable as decoration. Bowls filled with chocolates or sweets, candles and tealights, garlands and ribbons — all of these can be dangerous for curious paws.

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