Minnesota Valley Humane Society

Cat-proofing is like baby-proofing. “Walk around your house on your knees and look for anything a cat could swallow, knock over, get into or pull onto itself,” Patti Gordon, D.V.M., of All Cat’s Healthcare Clinic in Florida, suggests.

When cat-proofing, consider two things, says James Richards, D.V.M., director of the Cornell Feline Health Center in New York: “What do you want to protect from the cat, and what do you want to protect the cat from?” Cats are curious and mischievous by nature, so remove temptations and stow valuables.

Can you swallow this?
Kittens love to play with and chew small objects, which could cause choking or internal damage. String is especially hazardous because cats are naturally attracted to it. “Every time I see a cat playing with a ball of yarn, I just shudder,” Dr. Richard says. “The little barbs on the tops of their tongues point backwards, and they don’t have hands to pull the string back out (if they swallow it).”

In addition, stash away sewing kits, paper clips, rubber bands, pins and any other items small enough to fit into a cat’s mouth. “Cats never really outgrow the tendency to eat foreign objects,” Dr. Gordon warns. Although many cats ignore electrical cords, some may chew, so monitor your cat and if necessary, block access to electrical cords.

Poison
More then 100 plants can be toxic to pets. Ask your veterinarian for a list of such plants in your area, and eliminate any hazardous household plants. A few common problem plants to be aware of include azaleas, English ivy, the diffenbachia species, poinsettia, Easter lily, jade tree, lily of the valley, philodendron, caladium, amaryllis and chrysanthemum.

Also, be careful about where you store medications. One Tylenol could kill a kitten. Aspirin and other medications can also be toxic. In addition, place household cleaners, antifreeze, insect or mouse poison or traps – and anything else common sense tells you would be dangerous – out of your cat’s sight and reach. Eliminate all toxic substances, or lock them away inside cabinets with child-proof latches.

Breakables
An exuberant kitten can wreak havoc in a house filled with breakable knickknacks and unstable surfaces. “If you don’t want your cat to knock things off counters, dressers or shelves, look at things from a cat’s point of view,” Dr. Gordon advises. If you don’t want valuables broken, put them away. Another concern is unstable furniture or other large, heavy objects that might fall. Arrange furniture so your cat can’t get stuck behind or in anything, and always tie up the cords on your blinds so your cat won’t get entangled.

Kitty Alcatraz
Cats are safest indoors, and a house cat that escapes is at the mercy of an often hostile environment. Shut doors and secure screens. “If you leave windows open, be sure screens can’t easily tear,” Dr. Gordon suggests. Metal screens are the most tear-resistant.

- Eve Anderson

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