Kittens are like babies with claws that can jump. Keeping them safe requires kitten-proofing your home. While some things seem obvious, like not leaving people food out that could make your kitten sick, other things are less obvious, like keeping your toilet lid down so your kitten doesn’t accidentally drown.

From the experts at The Comforted Kitty, here are some top tips on how to keep your kitten safe at home.

Why You Must Kitten-Proof Your Home

Kittens can get into more trouble than you can probably imagine. Just as you would prepare your home for a baby that’s learning to crawl, then walk, you need to kitten-proof your home before you bring your new fur baby home to keep them safe.

How to Kitten-Proof Your Home

While we can’t list every possible situation that could harm your kitten, here are some of the main areas you should focus on when kitten-proofing your home.

Hide Needlework, Rubber Bands, Plastic Wrap, and Other Small Items

Just like human babies, kittens like to explore the world with their mouths. They could swallow needles, rubber bands, and other small items that could block their tiny digestive tract, requiring surgery. A kitten could also suffocate in leftover plastic wrap, chip bags, and other types of materials they could get stuck in.

Protect Curtains, Window Blind Cords, and Electric Cords

Your kitten could climb high up the curtains, then fall and hurt themselves. Window blind cords pose a strangulation risk if they’re tied together and a choking risk if your kitten decides to chew on them. Electrical cords can give your kitten a shocking experience if they decide to nibble on them. Keep these items out of reach or covered up.

Secure Your Medications

Kittens can have surprisingly strong teeth and huge amounts of curiosity. Keep medications in cabinets, and make sure they are in sturdy bottles rather than plastic pill bags.

Use Covered Trash Cans

Apart from the mess your kitten could cause by knocking over or digging around in your trash can, you probably have items in there that could harm your kitten. Even small trash cans should have lids to keep your kitten safe.

Double Check the Dryer

Cats LOVE warm places, and a dryer left open after a load is incredibly appealing. Always double-check that your kitten isn’t in the dryer before turning it on.

Don’t Leave Food Out

Lots of foods can make your kitten sick (or even kill them), even ones you might not expect, like milk and garlic. You should make sure you never leave any food out your kitten could get into, but here’s a list of foods the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says you should never feed your kitten:

• Alcohol
• Chocolate
• Coffee
• Citrus fruits
• Coconut water or too much coconut milk, oil, or flesh
• Garlic, onions, and chives
• Grapes and raisins
• Milk and other dairy products (cats are lactose intolerant)
• Nuts
• Salt or salty foods
• Xylitol (an artificial sweetener)
• Yeast dough

Keep the Toilet Lid Down

While your adult cat may have figured out how to safely drink the toilet water, your tiny kitten could accidentally drown, so it’s best to keep your toilet lid down.

Be Careful Closing Furniture

Recliners are extremely comfortable for humans. Unfortunately, they can also make a fun playground for kittens. Always make sure your kitten isn’t underneath your footrest before closing it. The same goes for sleeper sofas, daybeds, and other movable types of furniture.

Be Smart About Bug Repellants and Pest Bait

Commercial roach and ant bait or other types of pest poison can kill your kitten if they eat it. Consult a professional pest control company to discuss the best way to protect your home from pests without putting your kitten at risk.

Store Chemicals in Cabinets With Child Locks

Cats are experts at opening cabinets. While you may want child locks on all your cabinets, it’s especially important to store your cleaning products and other chemicals in cabinets with child locks.

Get Rid of Poisonous Plants

While you can grow catnip, certain grasses, and other cat-safe plants for your kitten to nibble on, make sure you get rid of any plants that could make them sick, such as:

• Amaryllis
• Autumn Crocus
• Azalea/Rhododendron
• Castor Bean
• Chrysanthemum
• Cyclamen
• English Ivy
• Kalanchoe
• Lilies
• Marijuana
• Oleander
• Peace Lily (aka Mauna Loa Peace Lily)
• Pothos
• Sago Palm
• Schefflera
• Tulip/Narcissus bulbs
• Yew

Locate Other Potential Problem Areas

Look at your entire home through your kitten’s eyes. Apart from things we’ve already covered, here are some other potential problem areas:

• Locate and block nooks and crannies where your kitten could get stuck
• Put away breakable objects your kitten could knock off a table or shelf
• Stairs should be blocked off with gates until you’re sure your kitten won’t fall
• Make sure your window screens are secure to prevent your kitten from falling out the window
• Keep your kitten off your balcony, deck, or other high places until they’re older and more coordinated

Find a Cat Sitter in Sacramento, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Reno, or Los Angeles

Another crucial aspect of keeping your kitten safe is making sure somebody keeps an eye on them when you have to leave town. If you live in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Sacramento, you can trust the cat sitters at The Comforted Kitty to keep your kitten safe and happy while you’re away.

We stop by at least once a day, and more if you want (prices are per visit). Beyond making sure your kitten is fed and has clean water, we’ll clean out the litter box, play with or pet your kitty, and send you a picture every day with an update on how your kitten is doing while you’re away.

To start the process of scheduling your cat sitting, fill out the form here or learn more about our services here.