Pets are explorers. As a new homeowner or pet parent, it is essential to protect your home and your fur baby from any damage or harm caused by their naturally curious behavior. This is especially true for cats. These fearless creatures love to jump, chew, pounce and scratch. They are likely to investigate whatever is in their path. It is necessary to secure anything in your home that entices their instincts. That’s where cat-proofing comes into play.

Tying up loose fabrics, covering wires and anchoring down furniture are a few of the ways you can keep your pets and belongings out of danger.

Since your home is filled with potential cat catastrophes, cat-proofing room by room is the best strategy. Keep reading for tips on how to give some extra care and love to your home by making every square foot pet-safe.

Living Room

Anchor furniture and secure decorative pieces in place with velcro or another sticky material to avoid damage. Block off access to fireplaces and hideaways, so that you know where you cat is at all times. Since cats are born explorers, locking windows when closed and inserting window screens is another critical cat-proofing tip. Tie up curtains and blind cords that could entangle your cat and cover any scratching hazards when unsupervised to keep your items in great condition. Tape wires to the floor or cover them to avoid electrocution.

Many houseplants are poisonous to animals, so if you’re a plant lover, research and purchase botanicals that are ideal for homes with cats.

Kitchen

Photo credit: Rhamely

Cover hot burners after use to prevent injury in case your kitty jumps onto to the stove or near it. Immediately store leftovers in the fridge and always secure the pantry with latches to avoid ingestion of any toxic or poisonous food items. Look for any hidden or tight spots in your kitchen that your fur baby might seek out for shelter as they can become trapped. Equally, keep the dishwasher door closed when not in use and always check the washer before use. Secure trash in a pet-proof bin and tie up any tablecloths or placemats that could be snatched down.

Additionally, if you don’t want your cat in the kitchen at all, consider buying a pet gate to block off entry.

Bathroom

Leave the toilet lid closed at all times to avoid your cat potentially drowning or drinking any chemical solutions that you use in the bowl. Add latches and locks to cabinets, so that pets cannot access medications and supplies. You can go a step further by structuring your bathroom cabinets using sealed storage containers with lids or drawer organizers. Finally, cat-proof the trash by buying a bin with a lid to avoid your pet chewing up dirty napkins or making used dental floss a toy.

Bedroom

Photo credit: Gaelle Marcel

Cats love to jump and climb, so anchor any furniture with tip warnings, such as bookshelves and nightstands, to the wall. Keep the tops of nightstands and dressers clear of anything intriguing, like perfumes or hair ties. Never leave lit candles unattended and keep your cat away from any open flames. If your closet is in your bedroom, secure moth balls out of reach as these are toxic to your tiny companion when sniffed or ingested. Finally, cover any phone charger or lamp wires.

Laundry Room

Stash detergents, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, bleach and any other household cleaners out of your pet’s reach. As with the kitchen, make sure that the washing machine and dryer are closed after each use and check them before wash day. Again, tape wires and cords to the floor or cover them to avoid electrocution and broken appliances.