my cat lived to be 17 yrs old but not in my sewing room. he got in there once and ate a tiny, tiny bit of poly batting that was on the floor before i could catch him. if you've ever taken a cat in for a barium x-ray and then an enema to get the remainder of it out- enough said! he was never allowed in my sewing room again. he waited outside on the sofa after that. now i have three cats, same thing. they aren't allowed in the sewing room. just like babies, not a good place for them!