KittenAid

Cat-Proofing Your Home

Sadly, the saying is true: curiosity HAS killed cats. Every responsible pet-owner should be concerned with their pets’ safety. Not only should you analyze your home and eliminate things which could potentially harm your cat, you should also strive to teach your cat the rules of the house.

Like children, cats learn about their world by exploring. Everything a kitten encounters in the first few weeks of life is brand new, and the best way to learn is to smell, taste and touch. The best way to begin cat-proofing your home is to think like a cat! Look for hiding places, evaluate climbing potential, and seek out things that dangle, shine, make noise, or have an interesting scent.

Cats like to sleep in warm, dark, cozy places. Because they have no collar bones, they can squeeze into any opening through which their heads will fit. Cats have become trapped in heat ducts and downspouts, behind walls and under floor boards. Dresser drawers and storage boxes seem like inviting places to a kitten, especially if they smell like the kitten’s favorite human, and should be kept securely closed. Make it a habit to check the dryer and the dishwasher before closing the door. Be sure you know where your cat is before you leave the house. He will not be happy if he gets shut in a room without access to his food, water or litter box!

Cats seek high places from which they can survey the world safely. Unfortunately, the higher they go, the farther they can fall. You will probably want to keep your cat off counter-tops and tables for sanitary reasons, but you should also be aware of shelves that are unstable or may not hold the cat’s weight. Watch, too, for items placed on shelves which may topple, fall and break with the inadvertent help of a cat.

There is almost no way to prevent a cat from jumping up on things. They will usually stop to judge the distance before jumping, and a loud, stern “No!” is often enough to change their minds. Some pet owners have had success using double-faced tape as a deterrent. Cats don’t like the sticky feel on their paws, and will learn to avoid surfaces where they encounter such an annoyance. If your cat likes to sit in the window, be sure the screens are secure so he can’t fall out.

Some cats develop a condition called pica. This is characterized by chewing on things other than food, such as paper or cloth. Small items such as buttons, coins, and paper clips can be swallowed and should be kept away from cats. Electrical cords, wires and cables present a serious danger to cats who like to chew. Try to keep wires hidden and out of reach of your cat. If you catch him near wires, tell him “No!” and move him away from the area. Give him acceptable toys to distract him. Check his toys often for parts which may become loose and pose a potential choking hazard.

Cats can and will open cupboard doors to see what’s inside. All types of chemicals should be kept in a place which can be secured so your cat cannot open it. Cleaning agents such as bleach and detergents, painting supplies like thinner and solvent, and outdoor chemicals such as fertilizer and weed killer all pose a danger to cats. Because its sweet taste is so tempting, anti-freeze MUST be kept away from all animals. Anything that touches the cat’s fur can be ingested during grooming. Be aware of your cat’s proximity whenever you use chemicals.

Many common household and outdoor plants are dangerous to cats, causing illness that can range from an upset stomach to outright poisoning and death. All varieties of lilies are considered toxic, along with most common perennial plants, including daffodils, tulips, peonies, marigolds, and geraniums, and many vegetables such as tomatoes, corn, onions and potatoes. The Cat Fancier’s Association offers exhaustive lists of toxic and non-toxic plants on their website. Do your best to keep your cat away from toxic plants, but if you can’t, consider re-decorating with non-toxic varieties.