Dangers Of Paper Shredders and Pets
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
June 19, 2007 10:04pm CST
I just got this e-mail newsletter from PetPlace.com about the hidden dangers of paper shredders and pets. Now I don't know how many of you have paper shredders and pets but you may never realized the hidden dangers in having this seemingly innocent item in your home.
To quote the newsletter says:
"Paper Shredder Safety Tips
Cats may lay on paper shredders because the motor is warm and hair on their legs or tail gets caught pulling in their entire legs or tails. Keep paper shredders turned completely off or unplugged.
"There's also an article about an incident that happened to a dog whose tongue was caught in one:
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/paper-shredders-risks-and-dogs/page1.aspx
So if you do have a paper shredder you might need to really be careful now to prevent any disasters from occurring to your furry friend
13 people like this
24 responses
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
20 Jun 07
I saw a picture a few months ago, where a dog's tongue got shredded. The dog was immediately taken to the vet and did recover. This is defintely something to consider for all of us that have pets.
Thanks for the heads up
2 people like this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
21 Jun 07
I found this link with a video..it turned my stomach,...warning very graphic.
http://www.toxicjunction.com/get.asp?i=V1748
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Jun 07
Oh--the poor thing...was good to hear though that he's fine now...
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
20 Jun 07
You're most welcomed...I read the part of the article I posted about the dog...maybe it was the same one??
1 person likes this
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
22 Jun 07
Now I see this, sorry again pyewacket. But, perhaps even more people will take notice with two out there. Thanks for posting this. Keep posting things to keep our animals safe. Bless you, M&M
2 people like this
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
23 Jun 07
It is a shame that so many humans just do not have proper knowledge about animal care.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
23 Jun 07
I liked your post about safety of pets in cars...that's another thing people don't think about, especially in the summer
@shelagh77 (3643)
•
20 Jun 07
Well, I don't know about pets, but shredders are dangerous to all life forms if they are not used correctly. I am very accident prone and I NEVER leave my shredder switched on. I keep shredding for a weekly task, placing documents to be shredded into the bucket part of the shredder then once a week I sit on a stool beside the shredder and shred everything in one go. The shredder is then disconnected from the electricity and returned to the shelf. Even a mouse could not lie on it there, as there would be no room.
Cats are very inquisitive anyways, they don't need warm to get into trouble and this post of yours is a very timely reminder that our little darlings often get into mischief without even trying, and I thank you for this.
2 people like this
@shelagh77 (3643)
•
21 Jun 07
That is a very timely reminder as to how dangerous everyday objects can be to the curious ones, so thank you for that. I have to admit though that I do find it funny when a kitten gets intself into a cardboard box and the box moves furiously around the floor as it tries to find the way out again. no, I don't let the critter get distressed, but it is funny.
I may be acquiring a kitten shortly. I am rehoming a dog and they think I am a very soft person so it seems it comes complete with a kitten, sigh.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Jun 07
Yes our little furry ones can get into lots of trouble ...I never keep those paper bags you get at stores with the handles..or if I do I cut the handles off...quite a number of times my cats, who loved to play in them would get the handles caught around their necks and couldn't get it off themselves...so me to the rescue--so never really keep those around either...
2 people like this
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
22 Jun 07
I have a paper shredder, and I have always made sure to keep it unplugged when I am not using it for the specific reason you mentioned....my cats love to lay on it whether the motor is warm or not. I had these terrible visions of ending up with shredded cats, and that was enough to make me keep it unplugged. I hope everyone reading this takes heed of your advice and does the same. Thanks for posting this hon.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Jun 07
Yikes...with that mention of terrible visions of shredded cats, now I have them..and I don't even have a shredder!!
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
21 Jun 07
I just checked your link and was reading the story about the poor dog when a pop-up window appeared asking me to register for a newsletter. I filled out tje form and 20 minutes later i'm still waiting for a reply. Bummer, I'm still waiting.
Bummer, it was a good yarn.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Jun 07
That's weird...I got the pop-up too and filled it in, but was able to get to the article right away..mmm..strange..did you get through yet?
2 people like this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
20 Jun 07
i had heard about this from a friend of mine who works at petco..absolutely horrifying :(
made me think twice about buying one.
if i do get one in the future,i'm going to make sure i put it in a room they're not allowed in.
2 people like this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
20 Jun 07
that's a good idea.
i don't think anybody i know has one,but i'm going to pass it on anyway.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
20 Jun 07
I just emailed all my pals who have pets..I know a few who have shredders
2 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
21 Jun 07
Well I haven't got one so Gissi is quite safe but he would not go near anything like that lol With Dogs it is easy enough to make sure they are safe put it up somewhere high with Cats I would suggest store it somewhere where the Cat won't get to it
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Jun 07
Yes....cats are curious and jump up where they're not supposed to
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
20 Jun 07
Ok, I almost get heart attack, just turned my off...ufffff
Paper shreders are not safe for people to, many accidents were reported...
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
20 Jun 07
I can't help thinking the hidden dangers for kids as well
1 person likes this
@feralwoman (2199)
• Australia
20 Jun 07
Oh man that article was scary! That poor dog. I'm glad the owners decided not to have it put to sleep and give it a chance and all turned out well in the end.
Fortunately I don't have a paper shredder - if I did, our collie would probably eat the damn thing! He eats everything else we have! ;)
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
20 Jun 07
One never thinks of these weird hidden dangers everyday things could have--
2 people like this
@feralwoman (2199)
• Australia
20 Jun 07
I guess it'll be toasters next. Honestly, we have to really keep an eye on our collie as he gets up to all sorts of mischief!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
20 Jun 07
I don't have a shredder either...but I did want to pass the info to others who may have
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Jun 07
Good thing to unplug the shredder...good for you
1 person likes this
@samtaylorskykierajen (7977)
• Canada
21 Jun 07
Wow , I was thinking about getting a paper shredder and never thought of anything like that happening but when you think about it , it does make sence as a cat will go on anything that throws off heat which could actually set the shredder off .
This is good to know that if one has one it would be a good idea to have it tucked away in a drawer or in a room that a cat doesn't enter .
I have two cats and would hate to have something happen to one of them because of an unforseen accident . Thank you for the warning .
Take Care !!
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Jun 07
I guess most of us don't think of the dangers of simple everyday things
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
20 Jun 07
Wow - I never thought about this but it's understandable. Guess because I never had a shredder until I moved I didn't need to :( Good idea to keep them unplugged when not being used - guess same would be true of small grandchildren in the house, much safer unplugged.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Jun 07
I know...kids are in danger of these things too
1 person likes this
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
22 Jun 07
Hello black cat. "waving" Sorry, it took me this long to respond here.
After reading this thread, the first thing that struck my mind is to imagine my tongue shredded to pieces. Arghhh...I don't like to even think about the pain I need to endure.
This is a very nice warning for all of us. Sometimes, we tend to forget that there is something in our house that might endangered our pets. Paper shredder is not common here in my country. Still, its good that I get the head up to be extra careful from now on. Thanks for sharing this one.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
23 Jun 07
I think a lot of people will have shredders to shred up old bills, checks, etc to prevent identity theft
@peaceful (3294)
• United States
20 Jun 07
I don't have a living pet right now, but I still believe that is really good advice! :)
I keep my shredder unplugged and dis-assembled until I ready to use it... this delay will prevent the accidental shredding of unintended documents, like my Mental Health Statement of Sanity Form! LOL! :)
Cat Vs Turtle for you:
http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/1098606.aspx
2 people like this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
20 Jun 07
Who would have even given that a thought! Thanks for the warning.
2 people like this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
25 Jun 07
Ouch!!
I don't have a paper shredder at the moment but I'd imagine I'd keep it turned off when I wasn't using it though anyway. I couldn't imagine one of my poor kitties getting caught in it!
Thanks for the warning though!!
1 person likes this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
29 Jun 07
That's good that she listened :)
She's got cute names too for her kitties!
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Jun 07
I had warned one of my friends who has both shredder and two kitties...she used to keep the shredder on most times...now she doesn't--I wouldn't want anything to happen to her Spike and Mike
1 person likes this
@Bizziebod (3497)
•
21 Jun 07
Oh gosh I never thought of this, my cats are always jumping up on things and although my shredder is in the office, it's not impossible for them to get in. Thanks for pointing this out I shall insure it's pulled out at the plug from now on!
2 people like this
@tdbrower1969 (1242)
• United States
21 Jun 07
I don't have a paper shredder at home. I am glad that you posted this though. I probably would never have thought twice about having one in the house with my cat and dogs.
