Preparing your Home for a new Kitten

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Bringing home a new Maine Coon kitten is an exciting time! Kittens are endlessly entertaining as they explore their new surroundings and romp and play around your home. The last thing you're going to want is for him or her to be hurt. So let's talk kitten-proofing!

What is kitten-proofing?

You've got a new kitten, so what's next? You want your kitten to feel comfortable and safe in their new home.

No need for a complete lifestyle overhaul, but evaluate your space for necessary adjustments. Secure all cords, relocate houseplants out of reach, and ensure window screens are in place if you keep windows open. Consider fake plants if necessary. Identify anything you don't want your cat to access. If it's loose, chewable, or potentially dangerous, add it to your kitten-proofing list.

What are the benefits of kitten-proofing?

Kitten-proofing ensures your cat's safety, reduces unexpected vet visits, and protects your belongings from damage. It creates a harmonious living environment, reducing stress for both humans and pets. Preparing your home before your cat arrives allows you to focus on bonding without worrying about potential hazards.

Tips for Kitten-proofing your Home

Kitten-proofing can be a time-consuming process, often involving some trial and error. You might believe a room is completely safe, only to realize your pet has found something you overlooked. Whether you've just welcomed your kitten home for the first time or are planning to soon, begin with the basics and follow these crucial cat-proofing tips.

1. Cat-proof by Room

It's advisable not to let kittens explore the entire home immediately, as they can easily get lost and feel overwhelmed. Instead, keep them in a smaller, hazard-free area. Kitten-proof this space by ensuring only cat toys are accessible and include a cozy bed, clean litter box, and fresh water. Secure items you don't want them interacting with by placing them in a safe location. Evaluate each room for potential hazards and secure them one at a time to ensure nothing is overlooked.

2. Think Like a Cat

Your pet interacts with the world differently than you do. To identify hidden dangers for pets in your home, think like a cat. Kittens are curious and will play with, chew, or swallow anything that fits in their mouths, so secure and store items safely.

Consider how your pet's navigation skills change over time. While a kitten may seem awkward now, they will become more agile as they grow, making previously unreachable areas accessible to an older cat.

3. Keep All Plants Out of Reach

Houseplants are attractive but can be dangerous to kittens. Many common houseplants are toxic to cats, and fertilizers or anti-fungal sprays may contain harmful chemicals. While some houseplants are safe for cats, it's best to keep them out of reach, as ingesting leaves or stems can cause gastrointestinal issues. Cats also enjoy digging in dirt, which can contain small rocks. It's wise to be cautious with cats and houseplants.

4. Store Loose Items

Kittens are naturally inclined to play with small objects, which can pose a choking risk or lead to internal harm if ingested. If the object cannot pass safely on its own, surgery might be necessary.

The list is extensive, and the loose items cats may encounter in each household will differ. Nonetheless, here is a list of common loose items found in homes that cats might attempt to chew on or swallow:

• Children's toys

• Broken objects

• Hair ties

• Rubber bands

• Receipts and other pieces of paper

• String (including dental floss)

• Bottle caps

• Wine corks

• Thumbtacks / pushpins

  
  

When uncertain, keep items out of reach. Reducing clutter and maintaining a neat living environment can significantly help prevent accidents. Providing plenty of safe cat toys for your pet to play with will also keep them engaged.

5. Clean Up After Yourself

Without pets, you might delay cleaning after activities like cooking or arts and crafts. However, with a kitten, it's crucial to tidy up immediately to prevent them from encountering harmful items. Always clean as you go, especially when cooking, and promptly pick up any dropped items before your kitten finds them.

6. Invest in Cat Friendly Furniture

Cats naturally need to scratch, but this can damage furniture. Kitten claws can catch on upholstery, and loose threads can be hazardous if swallowed.

To prevent damage, select furniture and materials safe for kittens to scratch and climb. Cat trees and scratching posts allow them to satisfy their instincts while protecting your furniture. Choose cat-friendly fabrics and designs that are both functional and attractive.

If your kitten scratches something inappropriate, gently redirect them to an acceptable surface. Be patient, as it may take time for them to learn which furniture is off-limits.

7. Air Fresheners Can Be Extremely Toxic to Cats

Cats perceive scents quite differently from humans. They possess a sense of smell that is vastly superior to ours, with 45 to 200 million odor-sensitive cells in their noses, compared to just five million in humans. A cat's sense of smell is 14 times more acute than that of humans. These facts alone provide ample reason to avoid any products with strong fragrances in homes shared with cats.

This is particularly true for air fresheners. I can only imagine the impact they have on cats' sensitive little noses. However, strong scents aren't the only issue with air fresheners; they can also be toxic to our feline friends.

Cats have had an increase in feline asthma as a result of living in households where there are air fresheners, incense and cigarette smoke—or even just the aroma of cleaning products.

Your safest bet, for your cat’s and your own health, is to eliminate use of air fresheners (and scented cleaning products) altogether. Keep a clean home, and open your windows regularly to allow in fresh air, instead.

8. Use Non-Toxic Household Cleaners

Many household cleaners can be harmful to humans and pets, and are a leading poisoning threat for cats. Keep cats away from cleaned areas until they are dry and safe. Choose cleaners carefully, as many are toxic if ingested or absorbed through a pet's skin. Natural cleaners like white vinegar and baking soda are effective and safe for pets.

9. Secure Wires and Cables

To a kitten, electrical wires and cables might seem like exciting toys, but chewing on them can lead to serious accidents. Even if a cord isn't connected to an outlet, swallowing any part of it can harm your pet's digestive system or even cause an intestinal blockage.

Here are some effective ways to protect electrical cords from pets:

• Using ties to bundle loose cords tightly

• Cable cord boxes

• Placing loose cables under carpets or secure mats

• Using cable fasteners to keep cords along walls

• Avoiding the use of long cables when possible

• Ensuring nothing is left dangling

• Unplugging devices when they are not in use

• Using protective wire wrap

10. Get the Whole Family Involved

Once you've decided to kitten-proof your home, get the whole household (including any family members or roommates) together to go over the ground rules. Maintaining a safe home for your cat only works if everyone is practicing the same rules, such as cleaning up after oneself and picking up any loose objects. To help everyone feel involved, consider writing down a list together (feel free to use this article as inspiration) and hanging it up somewhere convenient where everyone can see. This may be particularly useful with children, as they may need extra reminders of what to do and what not to do with a kitten in the home.

Safe Homes Aren't Just For Kittens

Adult cats also require safety precautions, as they perceive hazards differently from humans. A plant, for example, might be enticing to chew or scratch at any age. Therefore, it's important to maintain kitten-proofing strategies throughout your cat's life. Although termed "kitten-proofing," it's essentially cat-proofing that starts when your pet is young. Ensure everyone, including your pet, enjoys your home by inspecting each room for ways to eliminate hazards.

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