Kittens investigate everything with their mouths and paws, which means hazards that seem obvious to an adult cat aren't obvious to them at all.
What you'll need
About an hour to walk through your home at kitten height, looking for trouble.
Steps
- Secure cords and blind strings
Both are chew and strangulation risks. Tuck them away or use cord covers, especially near beds and windows.
- Store toxic plants out of reach entirely
Lilies are especially dangerous to cats, even small amounts of pollen can cause serious harm. When in doubt, remove the plant rather than relocate it.
- Check for small objects at floor level
Rubber bands, hair ties, and small toy parts are common swallowing hazards. A quick floor-level sweep of every room catches most of these.
- Secure cabinets with cleaning supplies
A simple childproof latch is usually enough to keep curious paws out of anything chemical.
- Cover or block small gaps and vents
Kittens are small enough to get into spaces that seem impossible, behind appliances, inside box springs, up chimneys. Block these before they find them.
Frequently asked questions
Are essential oil diffusers safe around kittens?
Many common essential oils are toxic to cats even in diffused form. It's safest to avoid them entirely in a home with a cat.
What about toilet lids?
Worth keeping closed, mainly to prevent them falling in, though it's a smaller risk than the other items on this list.