How to Cat-Proof Your Home

Before you bring your cat home, it is best to try and cat-proof your house. If you are reading this and have already brought your cat home, have no fear – there is still time to cat-proof your house. Simply place your cat in the most “safe” room (possibly your bathroom, maybe your bedroom), while you take care of the rest of the house.

The Safe Room
First, set aside a "safe room" for your new arrival. This is the first place you should cat-proof, even if your cat is presently in it. Her food and water dishes, litter box, toys, scratching post and bed should be in this room. The following paragraphs will show you the hazardous items you need to “cat-proof”, however, know too that once your cat is comfortable in her new surroundings, she can then explore the rest of your cat-proofed home.

Hazardous Items

There are many things which you have in your home that can be dangerous, if not deadly, to your new cat. You will want to either put these items completely away (such as in a drawer), or up high enough in a place where your cat cannot get the items. Hazardous items are as follows:

• Poisonous Plants – Cats of all ages and sizes love to play with and chew on plants, and eating some plants can be fatal, so get rid of those or hang them safely out of reach. Please see the “Toxic Plant” list in this handout to ascertain which plants you have may be hazardous.
• Plastic Bags – This includes any kind of plastic bag, such as lunch bags, trash bags, and even groccery bags. Many cats like to chew on plastic bags, and the bits they swallow can become lodged in their system, and require major surgical operations by your veterinarian in order for the cat to live.
• Small items – There are many small and chewable (or gulpable) items that you should keep out of your cat’s reach. These include string, floss, rubber bands, loose buttons, condoms, small children’s toys (such as Legos), small pieces from games, earrings, paper clips, thumb tacks, broken balloons, and Christmas tree tinsel. A general rule of thumb is that if something is small enough to fit in a cat’s mouth, it is best to keep it out of the cat’s reach.
• Household Cleaners or Pest Poisons – Many of the household cleaners you use can be poisonous to cats. It is best to keep these put away behind closed doors (such as in a cabinet), where your cat cannot have access to them. At the same time, many chemicals used to control insects or rodents are poisonous to cats, and should not be left out once you bring your cat home. Finally, if you are going to have any major cleaning done (such as having your carpets cleaned), or use any type of “pest bombs” in your home, be sure you remove your cats from the premises when this is done. If you have any questions, please call your veterinarian.
• Hanging blinds cords
  Cats of all ages love to play with hanging blinds cords, however these are not good toys for the cats. The cat can get tangled up in the cord and choke to death. It is best to tie the cords up out of reach.
• Electrical and phone cords
  Electric cords are also a dangerous temptation for a cat of any age. One way to solve this issue is to invest in a cord management system, or tape the cords together and try to put them out of reach. Phone cords should also be managed in this manner.

Your Valuables

Of course, we can’t forget the items that are near and dear to you, which your cat may only see as play toys or things to explore. Cats are curious animals by nature, however, and you should not fault them for wanting to explore. Again, just “cat-proof” your most beloved items and you should have no problems.

• Vases, Plates, Curios, or Other Breakables
  These items will live most peacefully with your cat if they cannot be reached. It is best to place these on shelves your cat cannot get to (such as in a cabinet with doors), or in a high area where your cat cannot jump or climb up to. Don’t put valuable items smack in the middle of a coffee table or shelf where your cat goes or will go to often – otherwise you run the risk of finding it in pieces very soon! Jumping up onto high places (like shelves and counters) is innate cat behavior; trying to stop it will be stressful for both you and kitty. Instead, put yourself into the mind of the cat, look around, and remove anything you value.
• Fabric Destroyables
  Mainly it is kittens who will climb your furniture and drapes – however some cats never grow out of this habit. If you can, confine drapes to off-limit rooms. If this is not possible, you can always use Sticky Paws – a special double-sided tape sold at local and chain pet stores – to discourage your cat from climbing the drapes. Sticky Paws can also be used to discourage your cat from scratching furniture, too. Or you can always cover your furniture with less-prized fabric that is easily changable and washable.

Rooms that should be Off-Limits

The only room in the house that should always be off limits for all pets is the garage. It contains too many poisonous/hazardous materials that can be lethal to your cat, such as anti-freeze which all pets are attracted to because of its taste. Clean up all spilled anti-freeze ASAP.

The other room you might want to consider making off-limits to your cat is your baby’s room (if your baby is under 2 years old). While this is not a must, many new parents feel safer doing this, and it can keep your cat from exploring places you would rather keep her out of – such as the dirty diaper pail, the wet naps stash, or even the pile of just-cleaned baby clothes.

 

 

Copyright 2005 by Tree House Animal Foundation. All rights reserved.