How do I cat-proof my home?
Quick answer
Cat-proofing your home means removing or blocking every hazard a curious cat can reach.
The full answer
Because cats climb and squeeze into small spaces, prevention has to cover shelves, cabinets, balconies and appliances, not just the floor.
The most reliable method is to inspect each room twice: once standing at counter height, and once crouched down at cat level. The two perspectives reveal very different problems.
Start with the things that kill
Keep all human medications, supplements and recreational drugs in closed drawers or cabinets. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen are extremely toxic to cats, and one or two tablets can be fatal. Never leave pills loose on a counter or in an open bag.
Store antifreeze, insecticides, rodenticides, drain cleaner and bleach where cats cannot reach, and wipe up spills immediately, because ethylene glycol tastes sweet and a small amount can cause kidney failure. Locking-lid bins keep cats out of food waste, bones and packaging.
Windows, balconies and falls
Fit sturdy screens to every window you open and install balcony netting if your cat has access to one. Falls from windows and balconies are a leading cause of injury and death in city cats, and a railing alone does not prevent a cat from going over.
Check that screens cannot be pushed out from the inside, and be careful with tilt-and-turn windows, which create a gap that cats can become trapped in. If you live high up, treat an open window as a hazard rather than a source of fresh air.
Strings, cords and swallowing hazards
Thread, ribbon, yarn, dental floss, hair ties and rubber bands are among the most dangerous everyday objects in a cat household, because they can cause a life-threatening intestinal blockage if swallowed. Keep them in closed drawers.
Shorten or secure blind and curtain cords, cover electrical cables with protective tubing, and put away sewing kits, fishing line and craft supplies. If you see a string hanging from your cat's mouth or rear, do not pull it: contact a vet immediately.
Kitchen, laundry and appliances
Lock the washing machine and dryer, and check inside before every cycle, because cats seek out warm, enclosed spaces. Keep the oven and dishwasher closed, and never leave a hot stovetop unattended, since cats jump onto counters.
Use child locks on cabinets holding cleaning products and chemicals, keep the toilet lid down, and secure plastic bags, which can suffocate a cat that crawls inside. Reclining chairs and sofa beds should be checked before being folded away.
Candles, oils and household irritants
Candles, wax melts and open fires are obvious risks with a cat in the house. Essential oil diffusers and burners are less obvious but serious: tea tree, eucalyptus, citrus, peppermint, wintergreen and pine oils are toxic to cats, and diffused oils can also irritate the airways.
Also think about lilies, which should never be in a home with cats, and check every bouquet that arrives. Hair, tobacco and cannabis products, plus some common human foods, are additional everyday hazards worth keeping out of reach.
Give the cat somewhere better to go
Restriction alone tends to fail. Cats look for outlets for climbing, scratching and hunting, so provide scratching posts, cat trees, window perches and puzzle feeders, and place them near the areas the cat keeps trying to reach.
A few minutes of active play each day also reduces the urge to investigate forbidden places. If your cat repeatedly targets one hazard, the fastest fix is usually to give it a better alternative right next to it rather than simply blocking access.