On our post a couple days ago, Caren from Cat Chat with Caren and Cody reminded us to cut the handles off of our paper shopping bags before playing in them. It was a great reminder, especially since we posted another photo yesterday of Newton going into a paper bag which also has handles.
That’s actually not how we normally get paper bags at all, but we were supervised the brief time we were allowed into those bags to have our photos taken. If we have paper bags left out to play in, the handles are always removed first.
It’s not so unusual a danger for a cat to get a head caught in the handle of a paper bag. We remember it happening to Star from the Celestial Kitties earlier this year, and to one of the foster kittens at Riverfront Cats last year. Have there been more blog entries about this that we forgot? Probably so. Catnip does that to the long-term memory.
And once upon a time, we had a shopping bag incident, too. The head peep woke up to find one of the cats who came before, Louie, in bed with a big paper bag attached to him. He had gotten his head stuck in a handle and dragged it all the way across the house in the darkness in search of help!
So please, if you’re going to let kitties play in paper bags, cut the handles off. We’re going to leave the bag in such rough condition that you aren’t going to want to go shopping with it afterwards anyhow!
That’s great advise!!!
….and you’re right, once we’ve had our way with the bag, it’s not exactly something you’d want to carry around a bag of oranges in.
; ) Katie
We don’t have the handles cut off first BUT TBT watches us alla time he leavess the bags out, so we are safe.
Mum always cut the handles off before we’re allowed to play with it. She forgot once, with Angel Isis, and Angel Isis and her have been so frightened that Mum never forgot anymore ! Purrs
We don’t very often find a decent bag to play with as Mum uses them for household rubbish and bins them.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
That is so true. The kitties can get caught in the handles.And it only takes like 2 seconds for it to happen. But bags are great fun. Have a great day.
Yepper! We never get bags unsupervised and the handles are always cut off. Excellent advice fur sure!
That is truly excellent advise! Always be safe!!
That’s a good reminder! Which reminds us…where’s OUR paper bag, Mommy?
MOL that bag would have been one cumbersome blink….AND mom said to tell you the handles make great toys too. I love to flip them up in the air
Hugs madi your bfff
This is really important info! Thanks for reminding us. We once had a incident that involved one of those plastic bags. It was not a pretty sight.
I usually advice kitties of that cos when I first came here, I did get stuck in the handle. I took off through the house. Pop panicked and started yelling but TW was calm and poaxed me over to cut it off. I’ll never do that again.
Yup, it happened here, too…now our peeps are smart (like yours) and remove the handles.
That is a good reminder. Our mom often wants to say something when hers sees that, but hers doesn’t want to offend anyone accidentally, either.
We are glad your human knows to cut the handles off and we is glad hers is reminding everyone to do the same. 🙂 It makes playing a lot more fun when you don’t have to worry about getting stuck!
Purrs,
Carmine, Milita, and Jewel
Pfft. I disapproves of bags. And boxes. I just KNOW that as soon as I get inside one it is going to eat me right up.
My mum always gets rid of the handles for me before she lets me near any bag.
Great advice, and well done for sharing!
I am so behind on blog reading that I just saw this. Glad you aren’t mad at me! I know you were supervising the play but there are so many out there who don’t! Happy New Year Special Furiends!! xoxo
i see that you are a panera cat as well!