!["Coco" made her way through her very own three-season room, Thursday, September 5, 2019 in Edina, MN. The enclosure, connected to the back of the garage, is a three-season oasis connected to the main house with a stylish breezeway. It cost about $20,000 to make. ] ELIZABETH FLORES • liz.flores@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/IBRK2K4NH3TZDTQM7DUHR3L2RE.jpg?&w=1080)
Q: We're new to cats. What should we know about keeping ours safe?
A: Prevention is key. Here's my best advice on keeping them safe and healthy.
- Don't let your cat roam outdoors. Free-roaming cats are at risk of getting lost or closed in a neighbor's garage or shed; hit by a car crossing the street or run over in your driveway because you didn't see them; attacked or killed by a coyote or a neighbor's loose dog. They also are vulnerable to infection or disease from fighting with another cat. If you want your cats to experience the pleasures of being outdoors, build a catio — a porchlike structure where they can safely be outside.
- Inside the house, always check inside your dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer before starting them. Cats love to get inside enclosed spaces, especially if they're warm, like the dryer. I know of too many instances where people started these appliances without realizing their cat was inside.
- Cats love toys with a lure dangling from a string. They're great for providing a cat with exercise, but put them away when playtime is over. Cats often swallow strings, yarn, thread and the plastic ties around newspapers, to name just a few of the linear objects that can cause obstructions and require surgical intervention. Don't leave out knitting, sewing or craft supplies that might look like playthings to your cat — and face it, everything looks like a toy to a cat.
Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.
