Kitten Proofing Your Home

Just like human toddlers, young kittens are curious. They can get into all kinds of trouble and they will put everything into their mouths.

It is very important that as a new owner of a Maine Coon kitten, you prepare your home to be the safest environment possible.  Spending the time and effort to thoroughly examine your home and correct any hazards, will save you from potential heartache of an injured kitten.

 

Potential Hazards

 

electrical cords/phone cords
unattended flames on stoves
candles
hot liquid in potpourri bowls
hot stove burners
wall or space heaters
unattended dish water or bath water
cleaning supplies & other chemicals
tiny objects
sharp objects
fans
open toilet seats
open oven doors
open refrigerator doors
open dishwasher doors
open trash compactors
open clothes washers & dryers
open fireplaces
open drawers and cupboards
open windows and outside doors
loose window screens
automatic paper shredders
staples/needles/pins

twist ties

rubber bands
ribbon/thread/string/yarn/shoe laces

spaces behind washer, dryer etc...

essential oils in a diffuser or burned as an air freshener are toxic to  your cat. Never use any essential oils directly on your cat.

  

Other Things To Watch For

 

Sitting or stepping on a kitten--

Be sure to warn visitors to be watchful!

Rolling a chair over a kitten--

They tend to silently lie nearby their owners
 

Sleeping with a kitten and rolling over it.

Walking to the bathroom at night--

Kittens tend to follow their owners

 

Shutting a door or cupboard on a kitten--

Kittens are always curious and watching what their owners are doing.


Cat toys--

Not all cat toys are safe. For example, the eyes on "fur mice" have a sharp prong on the backside. This attaches it to the mouse. They can easily be pulled out & when swallowed will perforate a kittens stomach. Remove eyes & noses etc...  along with any strings, legs (often made from wire) or tails attached to the toys.

 

Cellophane from cigarette packs--

When swallowed stomach acid changes these wrappers into a glass-like substance.

 

Teach children respect for animals--

No rough handling

 

Securely cover heating & cooling vents with a grate

 

Check areas where your vacuum doesn't fit for dangerous items

 

Leaving your new kitten unattended with other pets or young children

  


 


Watch carefully for the safety of your new family member!