[Sheebs]

After recently obtaining my new kitty Kayla I put a lot of thought into Cat Proofing my home.
Here is a list of things that I did to protect my furball.If you have anything to add feel free to post it up.
I hope this helps and Im not paranoid!

1.Remove all the little beading ropes from the bottom of the vertical drapes.

2.Tie up or place out of the way all curtain cords.

3.Block off small tight areas behind the fridge and washing machine etc.(I used plastic For Sale signs).They are easy to trim and cut to shape.*Keep in mind that your fridge still needs airflow to function properly otherwise it will burn out and also increase your electricity bill by working overtime.

4.Remove all chemicals and place away in closed cupboards.Washing powder,dishwashing liquid,etc.Be especially aware of bug bombs,fly sprays,cockroach bait etc.(I won't use them period)*I caught Sheeba chewing on a bar of soap once!

5.Never leave dirty dishes in the sink to soak.(We don't want kitty tasting or drinking it)

6.Lock all windows in position so that they are only open by about a inch.

7.Use a neutral detergent to clean all hard surfaces and towel dry.(Floors,benches etc)

8.Remove all dust and lint etc from window sills.(Eye irritants and allergies etc)

8a.Cats have very sensitive noses and eyes.So don't go overboard with perfume or aftershave.

9.Roll up or tidy all electrical cords so your kitty don't chew them.Un plug them when not in use.We don't want kitty getting zapped.

10.Never under estimate the climbing or jumping talent of your kitty.Kayla has already managed to get on top of the kitchen cupboards.Most kitchen cupboards don't completely sit flush against the wall.In particular wall ovens.This leaves a big gap that your kitty can fall down upon leaping and getting stuck.I used particle board that has been screwed down to the top of the cupboards.Keep in mind that air flow still needs to be present so don't fully seal it off.Ideally drill some on inch holes in the board then fit it.

11.Never leave your kitty un-attended in front of a wood or gas fireplace.The wood fires still manage to spit and pop hot embers pass the fire screen.Gas heaters also get very hot on top.

12.Be mindful when cooking with stove hot plates.Even when finished cooking they still retain a lot of heat.Kitty will not be aware of this when leaping from the floor.

13.In my case never let kitty outside on a verandah.Use a harness or better still construct a proper enclosure.

14.Its your kitty home, and no longer yours.Your kitty will be home more than you will be.(24-7)

15.Close the washing machine lid or door when not in use.This includes clothes dryers!

15a.If you have a bengal or a cat that likes water.Don't be surprized to find your cat swimming in the toilet! So keep the lid closed or better still don't allow your kitty in the human bathroom.Cleaning chemicals do leave residue.

15b.Keep your cat out of the garage.The garage has lots of nasty chemicals in it.In particular car radiator coolent or Anti Freeze/Anti boil.A overflow of the green stuff or a leak from your car will cause great harm to your kitty and is generally fatal.*Note: Cats are very attracted to it.

16.If in doubt with any potential issues,do something about it now! Not tomorrow as your kittys fate depends on it.

17.As pointed out by Heather.Recliner chairs mechanisms are dangerous!

Kayla's daddy.

This post has been edited by Sheebs: 12 April 2009 - 01:20 PM

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[Heather Sharada]

Ahhhh another cat slave who really knows the ropes.......a good list.

The washing machine one is very important....one kitten I knew died in a front loader washing machine and a very famous highly titled show cat also died in one in Europe. The one that is missing is to NEVER use a recliner chair when there is a kitten around - several have died in the mechanism.

[Sheebs]

Ahhhh another cat slave who really knows the ropes.......a good list.

The washing machine one is very important....one kitten I knew died in a front loader washing machine and a very famous highly titled show cat also died in one in Europe. The one that is missing is to NEVER use a recliner chair when there is a kitten around - several have died in the mechanism.

Never had a recliner chair.Better add that to the list!
Thanks.

[Winscar]

The one that is missing is to NEVER use a recliner chair when there is a kitten around - several have died in the mechanism.

When I am sitting in my recliner and want to get up if I dont know where my 3 furballs are I get out of the chair not closing the recliner part.

Its a struggle as I age LOL but just something that I do.

[{Wild-cat}]

WOW i think you have covered everything Now you have cat proofed your home so well Kayla can have a baby birman as a friend

Kayla has already managed to get on top of the kitchen cupboards

HMMMM Wonder where she learnt that

[HarleyD]

The one that is missing is to NEVER use a recliner chair when there is a kitten around - several have died in the mechanism.

This is a great one and I am so thankful I had read it somewhere on CW before I brought my kitties home.
So we are not using our recliners at all and kitties are now just over 6 months. Unfortunately our chairs are really really uncomfortable when they are not reclined.

My question is... is there ever going to be a time when we will be able to use our recliners again?

I'm thinking 'No' (which my OH is really unhappy about but unerstanding) coz they will always be curious about what is in there (typical cats) and it will be way too dangerous.

[Sheebs]

WOW i think you have covered everything Now you have cat proofed your home so well Kayla can have a baby birman as a friend



HMMMM Wonder where she learnt that

No doubt her turtle hunting skills would have something to do with it.
Hmmmm.
Don't think we could cope with a kitten.But put us on the "A" list if you have another female retiree in the near future!

But they will have to share a bedroom......The rest of the house is neutral turf.

[Sheebs]

18. Be careful with balls of wool or string.They make great play toys for cats but a friends Burmese was P.T.S last year after eating nearly a entire ball of wool.Some how the poor kitty managed to undo the ball.The end result was terrible with the kitty pooping wool in a continuous string and still had it hanging out its mouth as well.Needless to say the vet could do nothing as the wool was completely thru the intestines.

[Caz B]

What a great, comprehensive list! It's interesting to note that anyone with young children would have most of these ticked off already - a bonus

[monty_dweezil]

That's a really good list. I'm pleased to say we've done pretty much all of those things, except we can't keep the boys out of our bathroom as there aren't enough bathrooms for them to have their own, sadly.

Also, the garage thing I've experienced first hand through my best friend. Her new 3 month old kitten (this is back in 1998) managed to get through a tiny hole in a wall (that they didn't know about at the time) and into the garage, where he perished. We don't know how, but something may have fallen on him and he was SO small and delicate. So...yeah. Never in the garage.

[Lushbaby]

What a great, comprehensive list! It's interesting to note that anyone with young children would have most of these ticked off already - a bonus

My 4 children are adult but my 1st thought was that I had done all that without even realising that I had. Once a mum always a mum.

[Lela n Mitz's Servant]

Very thorough list. Can't really think of anything else to add. Maybe that some cat toys are interactive only and need surpervision, otherwise store away. (i.e the ones with strings)