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A silver tabby American Shorthair stands on a black gas stovetop beside a frying pan with leftover bits and fur. 32 / 38

A Silver Tabby Walked Right Up on the Stove and Peered Into the Pan

AI imageamerican shorthaircaught in the actstovetop

Standing on the burner grates of a black stovetop, a silver tabby gazes into a frying pan that still holds a few leftover scraps. Her ears are tilted slightly back and her eyes are half-lidded in a guilty look, and a few hairs and crumbs dot the black surface around her paws. A folded dish towel and a cutting board sit by a bright window, and speckled tile climbs the wall behind her.

Cats are natural climbers who like to survey the room from high places, and a stovetop is just another surface to a curious cat. It is also one of the most dangerous spots in a home. A burner that is still warm can burn paws, and a gas or electric stove can be switched on by a clumsy step. Pots with leftover food are tempting but can be hot or greasy. The simplest protection is to keep your cat off the stove: wipe up food smells, put away pans, and use stove knob covers or a stove guard. Give her an interesting alternative, like a cat tree near the kitchen or a window perch. If your cat steps on a warm burner or you suspect a burn, call your vet.

She looks like she knows this is not a place for her. Still, you cannot help noticing how elegantly she balances on those grates.

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