How To Cat Proof Your House For A New Cat

Bringing home a new family member is always one of the most exciting days of your life. There’s probably a lot going through your head, and it’s difficult to focus on what you need to do. However, if you’re going to be bringing a cat home, you have some groundwork to do first!

If you’ve ever owned a cat, you know how much of a handful they can be, especially if they are a kitten. They will destroy anything and everything they can get their little claws on. That means you have work to do before the big day! In other words, it’s time to cat proof your house.

» You might also like: How to Keep Cats From Scratching Furniture and How to Get Rid of Matted Cat Fur.

 

Not only will cat-proofing your home help keep your belongings safe, but you will also be protecting your new family addition. To find out what you need to do to cat-proof your house, keep reading! We will go through everything you need to know. 

How To Cat Proof Your House For A New Cat

The whole point of cat-proofing a house is to keep the cat safe. Everyday objects, items, and ingredients can be dangerous and even fatal to cats.

Simple things with clothes dryers, floss, and foods can be hazardous to our kitties, and we need to keep them safe. By doing the things suggested in the sections below, you are helping to keep your cat safe.

It doesn’t matter if they’re a kitten or an adult. All cats need these things done in their house in order to make sure there’s nothing that could potentially hurt them.

You would be surprised by how easy it is to put your cat at risk without even knowing it.

The Living Room

• Deal with the blinds – not having blinds in the first place would be ideal, but that won’t work for everyone. If you have or are planning to get blinds, try to avoid ones with looped cords as these could get caught around the cat. Alternatively, you can simply cut the looped cords to prevent cats from getting stuck in them and injuring themselves. 
• Strategically placed candles – ideally, you shouldn’t have any open flames in the same house with a cat. Opt for fake candles that still give nice ambient lighting. We’ve all seen how cats like to push things off ledges… you don’t want that thing to be a lit candle. 
• Cover the cords – cats like to chew and scratch everything. Keep all kinds of electrical cords covered. It doesn’t matter if it’s just a phone charger – it can do serious damage if your cat nibbles through it. 
• Beware essential oils and potpourri – always do research before using any kind of potpourri or essential oils around any kind of pets. Both cats and dogs can have reactions to them, and many essential oils are actually toxic to animals. Stick to non-toxic and natural essential oils if you plan to use them at all. Make sure to do your research on which ones are safe for pets.
• Beware the plants – not only do cats like to nibble on lots of plants, but many of these plants can be toxic to cats. Common toxic plants include sago palms, lilies, and cyclamen. Do your research before bringing any new plants home.

The Office And Bedroom

• Clear the nightstands – anything your cat can chew, scratch, or eat, should be kept in draws and away from pets. This includes needles and thread, rubber bands, medications, and anything else that could be dangerous.  
• Mind the mothballs – mothballs are toxic to cats! Keep them out of reach, and out of sniffing distance if you use them at all.
• Pacify the paper shredder – turn your paper shredder off completely – no standby or auto modes! Cats put their tails and paws everywhere, and that can be dangerous. 

The Kitchen

• Keep the pantry and cupboards closed – put away all types of food (pet and people), hide the chemicals, and keep trash behind closed doors. Child-proof locks could be placed on accessible cabinet doors for extra security, especially on places that hold chemicals.
• Cover the recycling, trash, and compost – cats will eat anything, and there are plenty of dangerous things in trash. There is dangerous food, but also things like plastic and wrappers that cats can choke or suffocate on. Keep it all secure to keep your cat safe.
• Cover the stovetop – cats like to jump on things, and you should try to train them not to, for their own safety. However, you should also keep stovetops covered, and guard them especially if they have recently been used. Never leave a hot stove top unattended. 

The Bathroom

• Wastebaskets must be covered – cats love string, and dental string can be deadly. Cover all your waste baskets in bathrooms to prevent your cat from getting in there and finding a whole bunch of potentially dangerous stuff. 
• Supplement and medicines away – these are meant for people, not animals. Hide away all medications and supplements so that your pet won’t be able to get to them. 
• Leave the toilet let down – cats like to jump on things, and they could get stuck in the toilet bowl. Also, don’t use automatic cleaners or any kinds of cakes in toilets in case the cat gets a drink there.

The Garage, Laundry Room, And Shed

• Close your clothes dryer – your cat could decide to take a nap in there, so keep it shut! If you left it open accidentally, always be sure to check before using it in there, or you could seriously harm your pet.
• Hide the chemicals – all garage chemicals need to be hidden away. Antifreeze is an especially dangerous product to have around, and can kill your cat in just a few licks. 
• Stash the rock salt and the ice melters – these things can cause stomach issues, so try to opt for products that are pet safe, but still keep them stashed away.

A Few Things To Remember 

Cats aren’t always easy to care for, but here are a few important things to consider before beginning your new fur-baby home:

• Get scratching posts
• Buy lots of cat toys
• Hide the chemicals 
• Be wary of the plants you buy
• Keep breakables and fragile objects out of the way
• Always hide wires and cords
• Keep machines closed and off
• Secure all your trash cans 
• Store food away
• Keep counters clear 
• Cat-proofing is a continuous job

Final Thoughts 

Take the time to cat-proof your home properly before bringing your new pet inside. You should also realize that cat-proofing is a continuous job, and you always need to double-check and keep up with it.

As long as you do that, your cat should stay happy and safe!

 

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