Cat Safety Tips: How to “Cat Proof” Your Home

Information courtesy of thecatsite.com

Here are 10 tips to help keep your home safer for your cat:

1. Keep your windows screened at all times. Never assume that your kitty will be able to keep her balance on the window sill. Even the most agile of cats is bound to take a dangerous fall given enough trips to an unsecured window sill.
2. Always keep your cat ID’ed. You never know when your indoors-only cat will somehow get outside unsupervised. A cat collar with a clear ID tag that contains your name, phone number and a request to call that number if the cat is ever found outdoors, can truly save your cat’s life and bring her back to you.
3. Refrigerate canned cat food within minutes of opening the can. Cat food can go bad quickly when left outside on a hot day and cause a food poisoning. Never leave moist food out for more than half an hour. Any leftovers should be removed and refrigerated.
4. Stir cat food that was heated in the microwave and make sure the food isn’t too hot. Microwave-heated food can have hot spots hidden inside and these could easily give your cat a nasty burn.
5. Store poisons away from the cat’s reach. Make sure that poisons, such as detergents and medicine, are securely locked away behind latched doors. Detergent bottles, even when tightly shut, can have drips of poisonous content over them. A cat rubbing against them could end up licking poison off her coat.
6. Triple check appliances where your cat may hide. Stories of cats caught in a washing machine or a dryer aren’t just urban legends. Don’t allow these appliances to become playing or resting areas. Keep their doors shut when not in use. And when you do use them, always triple check before running them!
7. Keep sharp utensils away from your cat’s reach. A sharp knife can cut a curious tongue or paw, if left on the table or counter, still covered in tempting gravy.
8. Clear your house of anything that your cat might ingest. Hobbies that involve threads, needles, glue and small pieces can turn your home into a kitty minefield. Especially when dealing with active kittens, make sure that anything that might be ingested is out of reach.
9. Keep your toilet lid closed when not in use. If you have a kitten in your home, you could be saving her from jumping in and drowning. An older cat may be tempted to drink from the toilet water. Not only gross, but a risk of ingesting some of the disinfectants used in toilets.
10. Remove poisonous plants form your home. Check lists of plants that are toxic to cats and simply take those out of your home. While not all cats nibble on greenery, it’s best to avoid the risk, especially when bringing home a new cat or kitten.