Make Your Home Kitten Kind

Kittens and cats are curious and adventurous, which can lead them into serious trouble unless you take preventative measures. Your cat has a lower vantage point than your own - like a baby who has begun to crawl - and may be attracted to things you don't see when you're standing.

It's practically impossible to absolutely cat-proof your home against accidents, but here are some suggestions that can help make things safer:

Even though she's got nine lives...

• Securely screen all windows to help prevent falls.
• Keep your cat off balconies, upper porches and high decks.
• Store plastic bags where your cat can't get inside them and suffocate.
• Cut plastic six-pack beverage holders apart to prevent your cat from getting tangled in them. This will also protect wildlife that may accidentally encounter them.
• Keep exposed electrical cords as short as possible, or tack them against a baseboard so your cat cannot play or chew with them.
• Store sewing supplies out of your cat's reach. Buttons, needles, pins and thread can hurt his/her mouth or internal organs if swallowed. The same goes for nails, screws and other small pieces of hardware.
• Never use electrical blankets to line your cat's bed. She could be electrocuted if she chews the wires.

Ways to keep curious cats safer

• Securely store poisonous materials. Keep these in tightly closed areas where your cat can't gain access. Remember, cats are clever little creatures and have been known to open cabinets and doors. Some common materials that are poisonous to cats include:
  • Anti-freeze
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Disinfectants
  • Fertiliser
  • Laundry detergent and bleach
  • Medications
  • Mothballs
  • Paint and paint thinner
  • Pesticides and insect repellent
  • Rodent poison
• Remove poisonous house plants or place them in hanging baskets completely out of your cat's reach. Ask your veterinarian or university agricultural extension service for a complete list of dangerous plants, or Ask PURINA.
• Keep toilet lids down. Cats may play in the water and the lids could close and trap them. Also, residual toilet cleanser left in the bowl is harmful if swallowed.

Source: Purina Cat Care Guide, a Lifetime of Wellness