CBS Pet Project: How to avoid tripping over your cat

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – We know we all love our cats. But here’s some advice: don’t fall head over heels in love with your cat, especially head over heels.

Cats will circle around you and it can be a problem.

The CDC says that more than 10,000 people end up in the emergency room each year because they trip over cats. And this isn’t even counting the number of people who go to the emergency room or the doctor.

Cats circle around your legs and you can’t see them if you have laundry or a baby with you, for example.

They can jump in your path and land so quietly you don’t even notice they’re there.

The CDC says tripping injuries in cats are most commonly broken bones, abrasions, and bruises, and the wrist bones.

Also, women are more than twice as likely as men to sustain an injury. And the elderly suffer the most from tripping over cats.

Here are the rules for stumble assistance in cats:

• Always assume the cat is in the way

• Keep looking down

• Place food and water bowls outside your walking path

• Try not to step over your cat

Similar problems can also occur in smaller dogs.

Watch the full interview in the stream above.