Adopting a cat (or cats)? Congratulations! There’s nothing like the love of a furry friend to make your house feel even more like home.
Before bringing home a new pet, it’s important to make sure your home is a safe, pet-friendly environment for your new cat. After all, you might be surprised at the kind of mischief your cat can get into while you’re not watching!
Common Household Hazards for Cats
You may not think twice about these everyday items, but your cat could see them as potential prey to pounce on or toys to chew on (and maybe even swallow).
The following household items could pose some problems for your cat:
- Sewing supplies
- Paper clips
- Staples
- Twist ties
- Coins
- Puzzle or board game pieces
- Dangling decorations
- Medicines
- Razors
- Various kitchen ingredients
(Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. Use your best judgment when inspecting your home.)
Whether this is your first cat or your 50th, we recommend doing a room-by-room inspection of your home to ensure you’re providing a safe, cat-friendly environment for your new pet.
Living Room
As a pet owner's rule of paw, it’s good to make a habit out of cleaning up any small, sharp, string-like objects that could be dangerous for cats. Game nights are fine, just keep a close eye on your kitty and clean up thoroughly!
Tie up any loose, dangling cords for your window blinds, as tangled cords have the potential to trap and injure your cat. This also applies to any electrical cords—though these ones also pose the risk of electric shock if chewed.
Keep candles out of reach (you don’t want your kitty knocking over a lit flame), and research any essential oils you use to make sure they’re not dangerous for your cat.
Remove or replace any houseplants that are toxic for cats, too.
Bedroom
Keeping an eye out for small, dangerous objects, make it a habit to keep your nightstand mess-free. (Besides, you don’t want your cat knocking over your stuff!)
Keep any medications, lotions, perfumes, or other potentially toxic materials hidden away in a drawer or out of reach from your cat. You’ll also want to have a covered trashcan.
Some cats like to cozy up in a quiet, dark closet. There’s nothing wrong with that—just make sure you don’t have any mothballs or loose strings and buttons that could be dangerous for your cat.
Kitchen
You get the gist by now: keep the harmful stuff out of reach! This includes foods that aren’t cat-friendly, cleaning supplies, knives, and scissors.
Even if the food itself is safe for cats, be mindful of its packaging. For example, plastic bags could lead to suffocation and twist-ties could lead to choking.
If you’ve got a curious kitty who loves to climb, check that your cupboards and cabinets are closed; keep your trashcan covered, too.
If you can, try to keep your cat away from the kitchen while you cook… especially if she has a history of climbing onto your stovetop.
Bathroom
As with the other rooms, it’s important to keep your trashcan covered and toxic ingredients out of reach—this includes makeup, cleaning supplies, toothpaste, medications, and more.
It’s also a good idea to keep your toilet seat lid closed. You don’t want your kitty to slip and fall in, especially if you’re leaving toilet cleaners to sit.
Some cat owners prefer to just keep their bathroom door closed altogether when not in use… especially if they’ve got a cat who loves to make a habit out of knocking over their soap and shampoo bottles and dirtying up their tub!
Additional Considerations
Cats love to cozy up in snug spaces, so be mindful of any potential hiding spots for your cat. For example, always check your clothes dryer before turning it on, as it’s a prime spot for your cat to nap.
If you’re planning to let your cat into the garage, check that any toxic chemicals such as antifreeze and motor oil are out of reach.
For outdoor cats, check your yard for any potential hazards, too. While it’s always a good idea to get your cat a microchip and collar with an ID tag, it’s especially important for kitties who are going to be spending their days roaming around outside.
It’s also important to maintain a healthy, enriching environment for your cat. This includes having plenty of sturdy scratchers, interactive toys, and places to climb. Make a habit of regularly cleaning your cat’s litter box, and consider investing in an intriguing water fountain.
Of course, don’t forget about a healthy diet! Supplement your cat’s food with PetHonesty’s Digestive Probiotics+ Powder for Cats. This tasty meal-topping powder is made of natural ingredients to support healthy digestive and immune systems. Just mix it into your cat’s food to help her reap the long-term health benefits!
Sources:
https://www.zoetispetcare.com/blog/article/cat-proof-home
https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/routine-care/creating-cat-safe-household
https://www.rover.com/blog/cat-proof-home/
https://www.vets-now.com/2017/01/cat-proof-your-house/
