Ways to Kitten-Proof Your Home
April 11th, 2009. Published under Pets and Animals. No Comments.
Aaaw- you’ve just brought home the sweetest and cutest kitten in the universe. Congratulations! Like bringing home any kind of baby, you must put your kitten’s safety first. They say that Curiosity Killed the Cat and you definitely don’t want that to happen.
Here are some ways you can “kitten-proof” your home so that your new feline friend can be happy, healthy, and safe for years to come. They say that Curiosity Killed the Cat and you definitely don’t want that to happen
– Watch for dangling cords! Kittens love to chase anything on a string and anything that dangles tantalizingly in front of their eyes. You can’t possibly supervise your cat 24-7 so you have to anticipate any dangling dangers you may have in your home. For example, you should secure pull cords for blinds and curtains up high to keep your baby from getting entangled and possibly strangling herself.
– Just as dangling cords are a menace, so too are the non-dangling kind. Like puppies and even human babies, a new kitten will want to “taste” and then chew just about anything. Do not leave cords for TVs and other electronics out in the open where kitty might find them. When possible, secure them up and away where little paws and mouths can’t get at them.
– As with a human baby, you’ll need to get in the habit of not leaving little things around. Rings should no longer get left on the windowsill when you wash dishes, rubber bands cannot be left unattended, etc. Unless you want these items to take the scenic route back to you via your cat’s gastrointestinal tract, it’s best to keep them out of reach. At worst, your kitten could suffer serious injury if she happens to ingest a sharp object.
– Many a kitten has suffered the indignity (and danger) of getting stuck in the dryer in a laundry room. Be wary of leaving any dark, comfy space like this open to a feline intruder because she’s bound to find it. It’s best to just keep the laundry room door closed at all times, and double check any appliances such as a dishwasher before running them!
– Watch out for common household poisons such as bleach, ammonia, and especially anti-freeze. Keep all such items stored away where they can’t be accessed.
Bringing a new little furry friend home requires careful planning and foresight: a best case scenario would be for you to kitten-proof your house ahead of time before she even sets a claw in your home. Go through each room and use your imagination by asking yourself: if I were a cat, what would I do and where would I explore? You and your cat will be glad you took the time to carry enough to ensure her safety.
For more information on kitten care and all kinds of great pet talk, visit the website dedicated exclusively to pet lovers everywhere: Petomundo! (http://www.petomundo.com). Art Gib is a freelance writer.