How to Cat-Proof Your House

Cute cat playing with roll of toilet paper in bathroom

There’s nothing more exciting than bringing a new kitten or cat into your home, but, before introducing your new furry friend into your house, there are some preparations that you’ll need to make in order to cat-proof your home to ensure that it’s not only comfortable, but safe as well. This way, you can give your feline friend a happy, healthy life for years to come!

Here are some tips and tricks for how to cat-proof your house in preparation for your new kitty.

Secure Power Strips and Cover Outlets

Chances are that you have a few electrical cords lying around on the floor. Before bringing a cat into your home, these cords must be properly secured and covered. Otherwise, there’s a risk that your kitty could be shocked.

To protect your pet from electrical shock, unplug any power strips or cords that aren’t being used. You may consider buying cord protectors. You’ll also want to cover any open outlets that aren’t in use.

Beware of Poisonous Plants

It’s not uncommon to have a few house plants sitting around. They add a nice pop of green and help to keep the air in your home clean. However, some plants can be poisonous to cats, so it’s best to put them somewhere where your pet cannot get to them.

Common plants that are toxic to cats include:

  • Aloe Vera
  • Peace Lilies
  • Jade plants
  • English Ivy
  • Snake plants

You can view a comprehensive list of toxic plants to cats on the ASPCA website. If you’re unsure of the kind of plant you have or whether it’s dangerous, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Cover Trash Cans

Kitties are curious creatures, and it’s not uncommon for them to go digging through the rubbish bin, especially when you aren’t around! While this may just seem like a harmless and potentially smelly situation, some foods can make cats very sick. There’s also the risk that your cat could suffocate in a large plastic trash bag.

To protect your pet, make sure that all rubbish bins are covered with a secured lid. You may also want to be mindful of taking out the rubbish more often than usual.

Put Away Valuable Items

Cats love to climb, and they often find themselves in places where they don’t belong! Felines love to jump and explore, and the last thing you want to hear is something valuable breaking due to it being knocked on the floor.

Be sure to secure any valuables that you have. For example, if you have fine china placed on a dining room table, you will want to put those items in a locked cabinet that your feline family member won’t have access to.

You’ll also want to put away anything that can break and shatter into small pieces. These small pieces could be ingested or stepped on by your cat.

Be Mindful of the Small Things

Kittens and cats alike learn and experience their environment with their eyes, paws, and mouths. Cats are playful and curious, and they spend hours exploring. They love to paw anything that they find on the ground. This means that you’ll want to be very mindful of any small item that could fall onto the floor.

Be on the lookout for everyday things such as:

  • Hair ties
  • Rubber bands
  • String and ribbon
  • Sewing supplies
  • Children’s toys
  • Board game pieces
  • Holiday tinsel

All of these items pose a choking hazard. Keep the floor as clean as possible to minimize the risk of your kitty chewing and potentially eating a harmful object.

Have a Secure Pet Door

White plastic cat door, enterance to cat litter box

A cat door is a great option to give your pet the freedom to roam outdoors. While some cats prefer to spend all of their time inside, others love going outside and being a little adventurous.

If you have a cat door at your home, ensure that it’s in proper working order. Ensure the flaps are secured and have smooth edges. Make sure that the door is secured to the surrounding door or structure. This way, there are no concerns that your cat could be injured by using the door.

For all of your pet door needs, look no further than Australia Pet Doors. We offer a wide variety of cat doors, from simple flaps to electric doors that operate with the use of a collar.

Look through our website and find the perfect door for your new feline family member!

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