Cats are extremely curious and always looking for a new adventure. If you leave something lying around your house, chances are they’ll want to lick or chew on it. It’s a bit like having a young child at home: there are many precautions to take. Here is our 7-step guide to getting off to a good start.
- Watch out for plants and flowers
Certain types of plants and flowers can be toxic to cats. The ingestion of a poisonous plant – such as lilies, azaleas, oleander, and many others – often causes lethargy, skin irritations, acute diarrhea, or appetite disturbances. Fortunately, these plants have a rather bitter taste, which deters picky eaters from messing with them. Particularly curious kittens and cats must nevertheless be supervised. Not sure about the Cat Safety of a houseplant? Read our blog on safe plants for your pet or ask your veterinarian for advice.
- Put away potentially dangerous objects
It would be better if your cat does not accidentally drop this precious vase while playing. We can understand him because he does not know how much such an object can cost! The best solution, rather than trying to explain it to him, will be to put away all the fragile objects that are in your home. The same goes for anything your cat is likely to swallow, such as paper clips or rubber bands. Finally, don’t forget to store dangerous objects such as medications, pesticides, and cleaning products in a safe place.
- Provide scratch spots
Cats love to scratch. It is their way of marking the territory but also of keeping their claws always very sharp. Make sure you have everything you need for your cat before he takes care of revamping your furniture! Towers and scratching boards are ideal, as they will allow him to stretch at the same time… and that is heaven!
- Arrange the food in different places
Cats like to choose where and when to eat. This is why it is better to provide different places in the house where they can eat. You can apply the “n+1” rule: if you have two cats, place three bowls in different places. It can also help picky eaters gain an appetite. This way, the cat will decide where it feels calm and safe to focus on its food.
- Provide multiple litter boxes
The same “n+1” rule applies to litter boxes. Many cats prefer to use a different tray for the big commission. The best thing is to arrange the different bins at a reasonable distance from each other, without of course leaving them too close to your furry friend’s food. Our toilets are generally well separated from the kitchen…
- Think about his safety
Sun, sun, and more sun: as we know, cats love to sunbathe on your windowsills. But if you live on a high floor, it would be wise to install safety nets at each window, as a precaution. Alas, cats don’t really have nine lives as we think! Check that the nets are well fixed and that they are intact. For even more safety, choose special nets for cats.
- Close, close, close
Besides your windows, there are plenty of other places in your home to pay attention to. Cats like to curl up in warm corners. For this, it is better to systematically close your dishwasher, your washing machine, and your dryer. And since we’re talking about closing doors, don’t forget to lower the lid of your toilet, where some cats like to come and drink.
Have you applied all our advice? Then your home is almost cat-proof. There is one small thing missing though: delicious food, of course. Spoil your tomcat with our croquettes stuffed with meat and fresh fish. Our boxes of pâté will also delight your furball. Good for us, good for them.
Cat safety in your garden
You care about your cat very much and therefore want to secure your home and garden as much as possible for him. So where do you start to make your home and/or garden safe places for him?
Cats, especially kittens, are naturally curious and will examine objects, touch them, sniff them and taste them. Unlike us, a cat will not be able to tell the difference between what is dangerous and what is not. If you don’t know how to secure your home and garden for your cat, follow our list to keep your little furball out of trouble!
Plants poisonous to cats
The most common poisonous plants for cats are:
- The dieffenbachia (Cane of the dumb)
- Lilies (all parts of the plant are highly poisonous.)
- The philodendron
- The mistletoe
- the poinsettia
- Azaleas
- daffodils
- Tomatoes
- The foxgloves
- Yews
- hydrangeas
Your veterinarian can give you a complete list of herbs that could harm your cat. For safety, avoid having one of these plants in your home or garden. Even though cats are carnivores, don’t be surprised if you see your cat chewing on vegetables or other plants. Some cats like to chomp loudly on the grass outside or nibble on the leaves of potted houseplants. This doesn’t mean they are hungry or that you need to change the amount of food you feed your kitten or cat! Keep an eye on what your cat is chewing on, as some plant parts are toxic to them.
Toxic products and foods for cats
The most common toxic products and foods for cats are:
- Cleaning and hygiene products, such as bleach and products containing phenol.
- Medicines for human use.
- Car products such as antifreeze.
- The alcohol.
- Chocolate (this is more of a problem for dogs but the theobromine in chocolate is also toxic to cats).
- Unfortunately, many everyday products and foods can be very toxic to cats, even in small amounts. For your cat’s safety, avoid using these products or keep them in a safe cupboard away from prying claws.
