How to Kitten-Proof Your Home
Is your home a safe place for your kitten to grow up?
It could be filled with hundreds of hidden dangers. Kittens are curious, mischievous little creatures and they love to taste and chew everything.
But don't worry! With a few modifications and a little reorganisation you can transform your home into a safe haven for your new kitten to explore.
Dangerous places in your home
Cupboards
Purchase inexpensive child-safe latches for all floor-level cupboards.
Crawlspaces
Be on the lookout for potential access points that your kitten could sneak into, e.g. behind kitchen units, wardrobes and radiators.
Fireplaces
Fireplaces must have a screen or fireguard that can't be pushed aside, climbed or torn by the kitten. Keep doors shut on woodburners.
Air vents
Make sure there are covers on every vent in the home.
Toilets
Keep lids down at all times to prevent drowning accidents.
Kitchen appliancesMake sure that doors of washing machines and tumble driers are always kept closed. A warm tumble drier drum is a cosy place to sleep!
Choking hazards
Rubber bands, pins, buttons, drawing-pins and other knick-knacks
Keep all of these out of reach and in tight-shutting drawers.
Toys with small parts or plastic eyes
Remove these parts of the toy before giving it to your kitten.
Potential intestinal blockages or strangulation
Thread, string, wool and ribbon (including curling ribbon and tinsel)
These objects are deadly if swallowed. They might block up the intestines, creating a dangerous bowel perforation.
Shoes and shoelaces
Keep shoes in cupboards to protect kittens from chewing the shoelaces.
Tails on toys
Shorten the tails on toys prior to giving them to your kitten.
Toys on a string
Toys that dangle from a string are great fun and an excellent way to interact with your kitten. However, you should never leave the kitten alone with because these toys as they pose a risk if the string is swallowed or if it gets wrapped around the kitten's neck during play.
Tassels and fringes
Many decorative cushions, blankets and curtains are edged with tassels or fringes. Kittens love to chew and swallow these objects. Ideally, these should be put away until the kitten is older and less curious.
Curtain cords
These cords can easily strangle a playful kitten and should be gathered and secured high up on the wall, out of reach.
Electrocution
Electric wires and phone cords
All wires and cords should be covered with commercially-available plastic tubing to protect them from being chewed.
Exposed sockets
All empty sockets should be covered with child-safe covers.
Poisoning Dangers
Dustbins
Rubbish bins should all have close-fitting lids (especially the one in the bathroom, which may contain floss and discarded medication). If this is not possible, then they should be placed in a cupboard.
Household cleaners
Ideally, keep these in an out-of-reach cupboard.
Plants
Many house plants are toxic to felines. Assume that your kitten will sample every plant in the house. Ask your vet which plants are safe and which ones you should never expose your kitten to. For example, lilies should never be in a home with cats.
Medicine
Obviously, medicine should be kept in a closed medicine cabinet.
Your home could be kitten-proofed in as little as one afternoon. All it takes is an eye for detail and a few supplies. Eliminating the above hazards will not only protect your new kitten, but will save you money on veterinary bills in the long run!
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Comments (1)
rachel thomas June 23, 2010 2:16 PM
FlagUK Petside has the TIPS
Replyadvice on care for our dear VIPS
If for info we get stuck
Login for our pets and guess what? LUCK
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