Common Household Dangers:
How to Cat-Proof your Home

Many common household items can pose a threat to our pets. And, it seems to be one of those laws of cat nature that the things that are the most attractive to cats are often the very things that are most dangerous! A good rule of thumb is to approach cat-proofing your home in the same manner that you would child-proof your home for a toddler. In fact, many commercial child-proofing devices work equally well for kittens! Here are a few tips for keeping your home safe for your new family member:

• Before you bring your kitten home, remove all accessible string, ribbon, yarn, rubber bands, paper clips, pins, needles, dental floss, and anything else that could be ingested by a curious kitten. All of these items can attract a kitten’s interest and are very dangerous if swallowed! 
• Remove breakable items from tables and counters. Cats love to explore, and this includes jumping onto tables, cabinets, and bookshelves. Your new kitten may accidentally knock over fragile items until she learns which areas are hers and which are off-limits.
• Secure drapery and window blind cords out of reach and remove hanging tablecloths from tables. New kittens attempt to grasp and climb everything that they see, and these items can be a big temptation! 
• Keep the door of your clothes dryer and any other large appliances closed at all times. Cats love to climb into small spaces and may even go to sleep in a warm dryer. 
• Secure all window screens and latches of exterior doors. Cats enjoy resting in window sills and may lean against the screens of open windows. They are also masters at learning to open door latches. Keep all doors and screens securely fastened to ensure that your cat does not slip outside unnoticed. 
• Put away all leftovers! Keeping enticing tidbits off of counters reduces the temptation to jump onto kitchen counters and will keep your cat safe from ingesting foods that may be dangerous. 
• Remove any houseplants that are toxic to cats. Common examples include caladium, castor bean, dumbcane, elephant’s ear, lantana, mistletoe, philodendrons, and poinsettia. If you are uncertain about the safety of a plant, consult your veterinarian for a complete list of toxic plants.

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