Top Tips on Kitten Proofing Your Home!
The key to kitten proofing your home is simply looking at your home through the eyes of your cat, and remember - if it doesn't look safe either make it safe or remove it all together!- Toxic substances
Medicines such as aspirin and acetaminophen are toxic to cats even if only a small doze is consumed. Another concern is products such as household cleaners, antifreeze, insect or mouse poison or traps and generally anything else common sense tells you would be dangerous should be kept well out of your cat's sight and reach.
- Breakables
Unstable furniture or large heavy objects that may fall often pose a hazard to curious kittens, so the arrangement of your furniture is certainly worth your consideration when introducing a cat into your home. In addition you should also fold and secure any cords (such as those on blinds) with a rubber band so that they are out of your kittens reach.
- The Great Escape
Kittens are obviously safest indoors away from the dangers of busy roads and the hostile environment that is often presented outdoors, so if you have decided to keep your cat as a house cat then remember to shut doors and secure screens, it may be worth baring in mind that metal screens are most tear-resistant.
Hundreds of plants can be toxic to cats so in order to eliminate hazardous household plants from your home make sure you ask your veterinarian for advice on what plants may be harmful to your feline friend.
The most common plans that you should be aware of are English ivy, the diffenbachia species, poinsettia, Easter lily, jade tree, lily of the valley, philodendron, caladium, amaryllis and chrysanthemum.
- Out of Bounds
You may choose to keep certain areas of your home out of bounds to your kitten and by closing doors and for example using a bitter apple or lemon scented spray areas that are off-limits can be marked easily. However, never take for granted that your cat has not accessed these areas and for example if you choose to keep the laundry room off-limits a couple of seconds to check that the door to the clothes dryer is always closed and a double-check inside before use is more than worth it as cats love dark warm places and the results could be tragic if your kitten has managed to sneak inside.