If you’ve decided to adopt a cat, there are a few cat-proofing steps you’ll need to consider to prepare a safe home for your new cat or kitten.
Whether you decide to get a kitten or instead choose to adopt an older cat, knowing how to make your home both inviting and safe should result in you and your feline friend having many years of happiness together.
If you’re ready to make those final preparations, here’s some advice on how to cat-proof your house.
How to cat-proof your house
1. Put away breakable items
If you have fine china on a dining room table, or lots of other breakable treasures around your house, put them in a display cabinet that can be locked or in a part of your house that kitty won’t have access to every day.
Since kittens, as well as older cats, love to jump around and explore every inch of their surroundings, chances are that if you don’t follow this advice, you’ll soon hear the sound of something you treasure falling to the floor and breaking into many pieces!
And don’t forget that something that falls and breaks could be a health risk to your cat if she steps on or ingests a small piece of broken glass.
2. Secure electrical cords or add cord covers
Since most homes have numerous electrical cords on the floor, securing these is an absolute must to keep your cat from getting a major shock to her system.
To protect your kitty, unplug any cords to items that aren’t used very often, and also invest in some cord protectors, which can prevent a needless tragedy from occurring.
3. Remove plants that are toxic to cats
As part of cat-proofing your home, be sure to remove or relocate the following toxic houseplants for cats:
If you have house plants sitting around, it’s a good idea to put them in a room where your kitty will not have access to them. Certain plants are poisonous to cats, and can cause vomiting, lethargy, and, in some cases, death.
Remove plants toxic to cats such as:
- Lilies
- Tulips
- Daffodils
- Jonquils
- Foxglove
- Snake plant
- Philodendron
- Azalea
- Rhododendron
- English ivy
Remove any other toxic plants to cats and keep them away from your cat, as many cats love to chew on grass and plants. Choose cat-safe houseplants such as ferns, calathea, orchids, among other.
4. Lock windows and screens
When you bring your new cat home, one of the first things she may do is sit by a window and take in her new environment. It's important to keep your new cat indoor-only for at least the first several months. Otherwise, your cat will go outside and probably head off for parts unknown, since she won’t be familiar with her surroundings.
Before letting her do so, make sure your windows are secure and screens are latched tightly. If you don’t, you may turn your back for a minute, only to discover your new arrival has slipped out the window and disappeared.
If you’re going to allow your cat to go outdoors occasionally, make sure to get her microchipped and properly vaccinated.
5. Close off your washer and dryer
Cats are curious by nature and love hopping into small spaces to hide, which may include your washer and dryer. To avoid accidentally locking your cat in the washer or dryer, ensure your appliances are either closed or the laundry room cannot be accessed at all times.
6. Keep the toilet lid down
Curious cats may attempt to drink directly from the toilet bowl and risk falling in. This can be dangerous for smaller cats and kittens as they may struggle to get out.
7. Don't leave plastic bags or hair ties lying around
In some cases, cats may try to eat plastic, hair ties, or other non-food items due to a condition called pica, which is the compulsion to eat non-edible objects that can be triggered by stress, boredom, dietary deficiencies, or underlying medical issues. To prevent this, keep such items out of reach, provide plenty of enrichment like toys and playtime, and ensure your cat is on a balanced diet.
8. Get a scratching post
Scratching is a natural behavior for cats, so you're better off securing yourself a scratching post before your cat chooses to target the couch instead. A sturdy scratching post or cat tree provides a dedicated space for scratching, climbing, and lounging.
9. Prepare essential cat supplies
Along with taking steps to cat-proof your house, it’s also important to have plenty of cat essentials on hand when you bring your kitty home. We compiled a new cat owner checklist including:
- Cat food. When it comes to buying cat food, include both wet and dry varieties. Also make sure to purchase food and water bowls that are durable and will stand the test of time. For many people who work during the day, using automatic food dispensers that can hold large amounts at once can be beneficial.
- Litter box. While you may choose a simple plastic litter pan, more and more kitty parents are choosing automatic self-cleaning litter boxes, such as Litter-Robot 4. Do you really want the first memories of your time together to be clouded by having to sift through the stinky litter box, trying to scoop out cat poop? It’s possibly the most annoying part of having a cat around the house. Automatic litter boxes are ultra-convenient and easy to use, since they sift waste from clean litter, ensuring you’ll never have to spend time with the ol’ pooper scooper in hand. Plus, Litter-Robot can help you use less litter, so the investment will be well worth it over the life of the product.
- Cat litter. Most cats prefer clay litter over silica or pellet litter. Choose a fast-clumping cat litter like GreatLitter to reduce odors and litter tracking outside the litter box.
- Cat bed. Give your new kitten as many spots to catnap as kittenly possible. In that respect, memory foam cat beds are ideal to ensure optimal pet comfort.
Don't forget to make an appointment with a vet for microchipping and vaccination as well.
Preparing for a new kitten
While it's important to cat-proof your house, you'll need to take a few extra kitten-proofing steps when preparing for a younger cat.
- Provide a wide area with plenty of room to play. Kittens have tremendous amounts of energy so ensuring they have a large kitten-safe zone is essential.
- Get a variety of toys for your new kitten to enjoy, but be sure the toys have no small parts that could be swallowed. For best results, try larger crinkle and rubber balls that she can chase around, wand toys, or simply a cardboard box or paper shopping bag, both of which are always fun to explore.
- Prepare kitten-specific wet and dry food. Kittens need a LOT more calories than an adult cat so ensure they are getting the nutrients they need from kitten-specific cat food.
- Schedule a vet check-up, just to make sure your new frisky feline is healthy. He or she will also need to be neutered or spayed when at the right weight!
