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A cinnamon Abyssinian cat sits on a grassy backyard lawn next to a torn black garbage bag spilling food scraps and paper. 31 / 40

The Garbage Bag Was Left Out on the Lawn. A Very Thorough Inspector Arrived.

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The backyard has been visited by a very thorough inspector. A cinnamon Abyssinian sits on the green lawn right next to a black garbage bag that has been torn wide open, with cucumber slices, crumpled tissues, paper scraps, and coffee grounds tumbling out onto the grass. The cat's large ears are angled back and its green-gold eyes look up with a sheepish expression that suggests it knows exactly what it did. Fallen autumn leaves dot the yard, and behind it stand a wooden fence, a leafy shrub, a terracotta pot, and the edge of a pale house.

Garbage bags are full of interesting scents, which makes them a magnet for curious cats and wildlife alike. Unfortunately, trash can contain things that are risky for pets, such as cooked bones, spoiled food, foil, plastic wrap, and string. Storing bags in a sturdy bin with a tight lid until collection day is the easiest fix. Many veterinarians and animal welfare groups also recommend keeping cats indoors or in a secure outdoor enclosure, which protects them from traffic, predators, and getting into things like this. Supervised outdoor time on a harness is another option for adventurous breeds.

Abyssinians are famously inquisitive, so this was probably less about hunger and more about research. The findings are in: the trash was very interesting. The cleanup, however, will be handled by someone else.

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