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 reorganization, you can transform your home into a safe haven for your little one to explore.

Dangerous places in your home

- Cupboards and closets - Purchase inexpensive baby latches for all floor-level cupboards and closets.

- Crawlspaces - Be on the lookout for potential access points that your kitten could sneak into.

- Fireplaces - Fireplaces must have doors that shut tightly or a screen that can't be pushed aside or torn by the kitten.

- Air vents - Make sure there are covers on every vent in the home.

- Toilets - Keep lids down at all times to prevent drowning accidents.

Choking hazards

- Rubber bands, pins, buttons, thumbtacks, 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, yarn, ribbon (including curling ribbon and tinsel) - These objects are deadly if swallowed. They might bind up the intestines, creating a dangerous bowel perforation.

- Shoes and shoelaces - Keep shoes in closets to protect kittens from ingesting 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, these should never be left alone with the kitten because they pose a risk if the string is swallowed or if it gets wrapped around the kitten's neck during play.

- Tassels and fringe - Many decorative throw pillows, blankets and curtains are bordered with tassels or fringe. Kittens love to chew and swallow these objects. Ideally, these should be put away until the kitten is older and less curious.

- Drapery cords - These cords can easily strangle a playful kitten and should be gathered and secured high up on the wall, out of reach.

Electrocution

- Electrical cords and phone cords - All cords should be covered with commercially-available plastic tubing to protect them from being chewed.

- Exposed outlets - All outlets should be covered with faceplates.

Poisoning Dangers

- Garbage cans - Trash bins should all have locking lids (especially the one in the bathroom, which may contain floss and discarded medication). If this is not possible, then they can be placed in a latched cupboard or closet.

- Household cleaners - Ideally, keep these in an out-of-reach cupboard or a latching floor-level cupboard.

- Plants - Many plants are toxic to felines. Assume that your kitten will sample every plant in the house. Ask your veterinarian 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 latched 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!