The Ultimate Guide to Cat Proofing Your Home

Bringing a new cat into your home can be a great experience, but it is important that you prepare your home for your newest family member. Cats are very curious creatures and this can sometimes get them in trouble, put their lives in danger, and make you upset by the damage that could be done. Before bringing a new cat into your home, consider cat proofing your home to make the environment safer for your new pet. Here are a few things you may want to consider doing.

Cords: Sometimes cats mistake cords for toys. They will scratch at them, chew on them, and in the end this proves to be a serious health hazard for your animal. Make sure that you store cords such as chargers in a safe place that your cat cannot get to. When you need to use these items charge them in a place that your cat is less likely to notice or go.

Paper: If you are like me you have a tendency of tossing mail, receipts, and other important pieces of paper around the house. When you have a cat, I would advice finding a place to put these things that is out of their reach. Since they can get onto a desk or shelf, do not leave these papers out in the open. Find a drawer or filing system to tuck them away in. You do not want to wake up to find that your cat has chewed your electric bill into a million shreds. Not all cats chew on paper as a hobby, but some do find this activity enjoyable. Better to be safe than sorry.

Light Weight Breakables: Take a look around your house. Do you have any breakable items that are sitting on the edge of a shelf or table? Cats love to explore and climb on top of things. While these animals are graceful, they sometimes bump into items and send them sailing to the floor. Place any valuable or breakable items in a place that your cat cannot reach.

Food: With a cat in the home it is hard to leave any food at. Most cats do get on countertops. Most of the time they do this when you are not looking. You would be surprised at the different types of foods that cats will attempt to rummage through. I once left a box of dry oats on my countertop. I woke up the next morning to find that my cat had chewed through the cardboard and had a healthy midnight snack. Make sure to store food items in the cabinets or air tight glass or plastic containers that your cat cannot get into.

Allergies: Certain things in your home can make cats ill. It is important that you know these things and keep them out of your home. Cats love to chew on grass, flowers, and leaves. There are some plants that are dangerous to your cat's health though. These plants are lilies, azaleas, oleander, sago palm, castor bean, and poinsettias. It is best to keep these plants out of your home all together.

Cabinet Doors: As I have mentioned, cats love to explore. Depending on the type of cabinet doors you have, your cat may be able to open the doors and explore inside. Take a look in all cabinets that are low to the ground. Remove any poisonous chemicals from these cabinets to ensure your cat will not be in danger by these things. If you find that your cat is constantly getting into your cabinets, consider purchasing the baby safe door latches. These attached to your cabinet door and are meant to keep babies out, but they are also effective for cats. You can find these in either the hardware or baby section at a retail store.

Furniture Protectors: Scratching is a natural behavior for cats and there is no way to stop them from doing this. You can however prevent them from clawing your furniture and damaging it. The first thing to do is invest in a scratching board. There are many different options and it make take time to find one that your cat prefers. I have found my cats enjoy the ones made from a cardboard box and ones that are wrapped in rope.

If your cat refuses to use the scratching post, it is time to look into other ways to prevent furniture damage. Pet stores sell plastic protectors that fit perfectly on the corners of your couch. These have sticky strips on the back side that keep them secure. If your cat attempts to scratch at the corner of a couch or chair, they will be turned off by these plastic covers.

I have also been told that cats do not appreciate the smell of citrus. Purchase a citrus air freshener that plugs into the wall and freshens the room at all times. Make sure to plug it in near the furniture that your cat has been scratching on. This could detour your cat from coming near the furniture.

Blind Cords: If you have the type of blinds in your home that are adjusted by a hanging chain or string, then this will be one of your cat's new toys. These items are hazardous only if the bottom of the two strings are tied together. Make sure that you untie the strings so that both hang freely. Cats can become caught in the string if the ends are tied together and possibly strangle.

Always remember that your cat does not do any of these things to annoy you. They do not understand the dangers that could be lurking in your home. As their owner it is your job to keep them safe. Taking the time to cat proof your home will make both you and your new cat happier.