Having an animal around the house is exciting, especially for the kids. If you are planning to bring a kitten in the house, you will need to kitten proof it first to make sure your furry friend does not scratch, eat or chew anything it isn’t supposed to. Cats tend to be active animals and some are quite mischievous. And, the last thing you would want is arriving home to your favorite couch being scratched to its core. So, let’s take a look at some important tips that will help cat-proof your home.
Flooring
It is crucial that your flooring is suitable for cats. Carpets are often frowned upon as they collect dirt a lot easier. A hard flooring, either wood or tile is recommended. As Stories Flooring explains in their article about the best flooring for pet owners.
They Like to Paw and Chew
The first thing you need to know when it comes to kitten proofing your house is that cats learn about their surroundings just the way human babies do through their hands, eyes, and mouth. Cats are playful animals; they like to play around with anything they can find on the ground using their paws.
However, you may think that your floor is clean but you never know what your cat can find, which can be troublesome especially if it is just a baby. Therefore, part of kitten proofing a house also means that you need to make it a safe place for the animal.
Before you introduce your new animal to the house, you should make sure of removing plastic bags, sewing supplies, ribbons, strings, and anything else that can be potentially harmful.
Although loose items can be easily swallowed and pawed by your kitten but there are other things she will try to chew as well as such as electrical chords and other permanent wires. So, you need to remove them from your kitten’s reach and tape them down. For instance, if you are using the iron, you should make sure to put it away from the kitten’s reach.
She might look at it as something to play with and can get seriously hurt if she manages to pull it off the ironing board.
Not All Plants are Healthy
Everyone loves greenery in their house. What may seem beautiful might as well be poisonous. But your cat won’t obviously know anything about it. Plants like lilies, mistletoe, and poinsettia are toxic houseplants that should be kept away from your feline friend.
If your cat happens to consume them, she could become very ill. If your cat is just a baby, you should keep an eye on it while it is playing outside. Common garden plants are of no harm to humans but some animals are very sensitive to them. So, it is important that you cover them up and make your garden safe for the kitten to play around.
Keep the Lid Closed
Cats and kittens will always try finding a water source they can take sips of throughout the day. If they find the bathroom toilet open, they will definitely stick their tongues in. So, yes, to cat-proof your house, you need to ensure that the lid is always closed. Keep a water fountain for cats running instead.
The thing is that not all cats are taste-sensitive and they will do anything to quench their thirst. Cats tend to become a bit frustrated if they are not offered food or water on time. If you have a kitten, it can easily fall inside the toilet while you search her for hours in the house.
In addition to that, you should also keep the laundry bins, garbage cans, and washer & dryer closed.
Hot Spots are Unsafe
Cats love warmth but that does not mean they should be too close to the hot spots. If there is a wood stove or fireplace inside your home, you should reinforce these hotspots so that they do not become a place for napping. In addition to that, once you have used the electric heaters, make sure they are unplugged and stored properly.
Mature cats tend to be more intelligent in these scenarios. They are familiar with what to avoid and can be dangerous. However, you cannot expect the same from a kitten. It takes time for a baby to become familiar with the surroundings. Until then, you will need to be extra careful.
Cat Proof Furniture
Cats and kittens love to claw. It is something natural inside them. However, they will not know what they can and cannot claw unless you teach them. Otherwise, your cat or kitten will get busy with clawing heavy furniture items such as tables or couches, not to mention the rugs and carpets. Be sure to consider a cat tree nz as well.
While you are thinking and planning about cat-proofing your house, don’t just think about what your furry friend can scratch but also the items she can climb on.
Secure What She Can’t Have
Cats are inherently curious animals. They will scratch and break anything in the process just to find out what the item is. With that said, closing your cabinets does not mean that your cat is going to stay out. You should use childproof locks to secure what she can’t have. Remember, that it can climb as well. So, the closet door itself should be shut too.
Furthermore, if you have a special room, you should keep its door closed at all times. Anything of extreme value and significance should be locked or secured away to keep things safe and secure.
Lock All Window Screens
You might have observed that cats love to sit and relax on windowpanes. This is because they love sunlight and will never miss an opportunity to absorb some natural warmth. This means that you should check all the windows, doors, and screens while cat-proofing your house, especially in the winter season.
Your cat can end up in a dangerous situation if the screen is not properly locked. Once the cat becomes accustomed to its surroundings, you can relax a bit. If possible, try purchasing cat-proof blinds. These cat-proof screens not only last longer but also do not get torn up easily.
Be Patient While Cat Proofing
Perhaps the best kitten proofing tip we can offer is that you should be patient. It might be that your cat is not attracted to usual things like other felines. What maybe interesting to others might not be interesting to her. Therefore, it’s a two-way process.
As your cat gets to learn about its surrounding, you will learn more about her as well. At the same time, you should not enforce all the rules on your cat at once. You can’t stop her from climbing or jumping on couches but that doesn’t mean you kill her natural vibe.
Initially, keep her in a room where she has a sufficient area to play and learn. Once she begins learning and responding to your commands, you can bring her out and introduce her to new things.
Final Word
The key to successfully cat-proofing your house is to learn and get familiar with your cat’s attitude and behavior. It is never a good idea to punish a kitten for misbehaving. She is just learning and punishing can worsen the situation. You should reward her and deal with the mistakes calmly. Just keep an eye out for her and make sure that you follow the tips mentioned above to be on the safe side.