Pet & Animals

How to cat-proof your home

As adorable as cats are, their claws and curious nature can create havoc on your apartment’s furniture, clothes, and linens. Thankfully, you can do much to cat-proof your apartment, so your new baby kittens don’t destroy all of your possessions. But, you also need to remove hazards so your cat is not injured or killed. Preparing your home for your feline’s arrival is more critical than buying a few treats and a litter box. Even the simplest household objects can cause harm to your new furry friend. So you’ll want to cat-proof every room to ensure your cat’s safety and health. Also having cat insurance benefits you from any such accidents.  

Here are some suggestions on cat-proofing your house

Cat-proofing your living area

  • Cut blind cords and loops or tie them up.
  • Cats can get harmed or even choke themselves in blind cords which may require cat treatment. Opt for window alterations without looped cords or cut the loop to prevent problems.
  • Keep candles up high
  • Curious cats shouldn’t be around flames. Flameless candles offer all the ambience without being a hazard to tails and whiskers.
  • Cover up electric cords.
  • Chewing is a typical cat thing, so don’t let them nibble on electrical cables, cords, or phone chargers. The result may be worse considering their health. 
  • Use essential potpourri and oils with care.
  • Some essential oils or liquid potpourri can be toxic to your cat. Please do your research before using it around your kitten.
  • Watch out for poisonous plants, flowers, and acids.
  • Sago palms, lilies, and cyclamen are just a few plants that can cause severe problems for your cat. Talk to your vet before bringing any new plants or flowers home.

Cat-Proofing Your Bedroom or Home Office

  • Keep your nightstands clear
  • Keep medications, needles, rubber bands, thread, and other hazardous objects away.
  • Lock up mothballs in a drawer and away from your pet.
  • Mothballs are toxic for cats when snorted or eaten. 
  • Power down your paper shredder
  • Keep kitty paws and tails far away from these sharp blades! Never leave your shredder on standby or auto. Flick the switch off or unplug it when not in use.

Cat-Proofing Your Kitchen

  • Close your cupboards and pantry doors.
  • Stash cleaners, chemicals, trash, people and pet food behind closed doors, and consider locking accessible cupboard doors.
  • Keep your recycling, compost and trash covered.
  • Cats can get sick from compost, suffocate in food bags and suffer from many other things when they get into what we dispose of.
  • Keep the top of your stove covered.
  • Your pet is in for a painful landing if they try to jump onto a stovetop in use or even a recently turned-off burner. Keep your kitties from jumping up, and use burner covers on burners.

Cat-Proofing Your Bathroom

  • Cover up your bins.
  • Unlike humans, cats love string-like objects and dental floss, which can cause severe digestive problems.
  • Put away supplements and medications.
  • Keep the lids of your toilet seat down.
  • Curious cats, especially kittens, could fall in. Be mindful not to leave toilet bowl cleaners to sit in the bowl, and don’t use automatic toilet bowl cakes or cleaners.

Cat-proofing your laundry room, shed, and garage.

  • Keep your garments dryer shut (always check inside before use).
  • A toasty dryer seems like a comfortable place to sleep for cats, but it can be harmful if it’s turned on with them inside.
  • Hide garage chemicals.
  • Automotive chemicals like motor oils, antifreeze, and windshield fluid can harm your cat. Even a couple of licks of antifreeze can kill, so throw it away.
  • Put away ice melters and rock salt. 
  • Many salt-based ice melts can cause stomach troubles or burn sensitive paws. Use “pet-safe” ice melt products instead.

Older cats may not be as mobile. They may also have health issues and need regular cat treatment. Ensure that they can get to their litter and food even as they age. Kittens are going to be much more energetic. They will play with almost everything. Make sure that they don’t get into anything dangerous. Watch them and see where and how they play. If your cat has medical issues, you may also have to take extra steps like buying cat insurance. Discuss with your vet other features they might need. 

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