Cat-proof home: how to protect your cuddly tiger

Finally, the time has come: The arrival of your velvet-pawed companion is imminent! Above all, it is important for your animal roommate to have a safe haven: He should feel at home in your apartment and be able to roam around carefree. In order for this to succeed, you as a cat owner are asked to recognize all sources of danger and to make your entire home cat-proof. We'll show you what to look out for and how to do it.

Cat-proofing windows

One of the most important measures to make your home cat-proof concerns the windows: Especially with tilted windows, your cat can be seriously injured, in the worst case fatal. Here are some of the ways you can protect yourself:

• Install tilt window guards: Specify some ventilation windows in your home. Then you only need so-called tilt window protection grilles for these windows, which you can easily glue or screw to your window. In this way, the window gap is reliably barred.
• Only intermittent ventilation: The safest protection would be to avoid tilted windows. Instead, ventilate with the window completely open and make sure that your cat does not enter the room during ventilation time.
• Cat-proof fly screens: Conventional insect screens in front of fully open windows are not suitable as cat screens, as they can tear. However, there are cat-proof insect screens that are more robust: the net can also withstand the claws of your house tiger and the frame is made of sturdy aluminum, for example.
• DIY cat gates: If you are handy, you can build your own frame with the right tools and wooden slats and provide it with a bite-proof cat net or rabbit wire.
• Secure curtain cords: Curtain cords or cords of blinds also pose a risk to the window. In the worst case, they cannot free themselves and become entangled in a life-threatening way. The straps should therefore be attached and stowed in such a way that they do not pose a risk of suffocation

Cat-proof windows without drilling

If you live in a rented apartment or don't want to drill into your windows, there are also effective protective measures for your cat-proof windows without having to drill:

• Stretch a cat net in front of the window: Safety nets with coarse mesh are suitable as cat window protection for completely open windows, so that a beautiful view is maintained, but your kitty cannot get outside. A plastic frame that fits your window format is inserted into the window and the net is stretched in it. After airing, you can simply remove the mesh frame again.
• Use tilt controls: With so-called tilt controls, you can open your tilted window step by step. The smallest openings allow for enough fresh air, but not enough space for your cat. The small levers and their holder can be easily glued on and therefore easily removed again.

Cat-proof skylights

Cat-proofing skylights isn't hard either. Again, you could use a tilt window protection grille, for example, but this requires that your skylight can only be opened as far as the size of the protective grille allows. As an alternative, an internally mounted cat net is available , which is attached to the window with the help of hooks on the sloping roof, for example.

Cat-proof stairs

Many cats love to climb stairs: Here you can climb and watch everything from above. Wooden stairs or stairs with tiles in particular pose a risk of slipping when romping around exuberantly – which can be particularly dangerous if a permeable railing is available. For such open stairs with a comparatively slippery surface, stair mats are ideal, i.e. carpet tiles in the form of the stair treads, which offer better support. For particularly fast four-legged friends, it should also be considered to make the stair railing cat-proof.

Cat-proofing doors

Doors and sliding doors should not endanger your cat: Make sure that no door can slam shut and that there is no risk of jamming. A solid wedge can provide valuable services here. Cats are very docile and like to copy the opening of doors from humans. To prevent cats from opening the door on their own, you should move the door handle upwards, for example.

Cat-proof furniture

When placing your furniture, make sure that there are no dangerous gaps. Your cat may get stuck or possibly wedged and not be able to get out on its own. This applies to larger gaps between the furniture and the wall, but also to small holes into which the paws can get into and get stuck. Pointed corners and edges should be padded if necessary, e.g. with a rubber corner protector.

Plants poisonous to cats

Do you have a lot of houseplants at home? Then you should check here beforehand which of them can be dangerous to your velvet paw. Because in the event of poisoning, your cat will have to deal with unpleasant consequences, such as circulatory problems, vomiting and diarrhea or shortness of breath. Large cacti with pointed spines also pose a risk of injury. For example, you should be especially careful with these popular houseplants:

• Cyclamen
• Amaryllis
• Begonia
• Benjamini (also ficus, ficus benjamina or birch fig)
• Bow Hemp
• Dragon Tree
• Ivy bag
• One-sheet
• Cacti
• Poinsettia

Do you have one of those plants that are poisonous to cats in your house? Then you should give them as a gift or put them in a room that is inaccessible to your cat.

Cat-proof flowerpots

Your plants will be in planters, but don't be fooled: many a supposedly heavy flowerpot has already given way when a cat jumps and has fallen over and broken. Climbing plants are also popular with cats, which also quickly fall over when playing. You should therefore position potted plants particularly firmly and fix them if necessary. At best, you should avoid flowerpots on high shelves altogether.

In addition, many cats like to dig in the soil, which is not healthy with freshly fertilized houseplants and often results in soil and paw marks throughout the apartment. Sometimes a layer of coarse gravel or stones on the ground or a textile cover helps.

Cat-proof cables

Power cables can probably be found in every apartment. This makes it even more important that you exercise extreme caution here and that the cables are all safely insulated in case your darling gets the idea to nibble on them. At best, they run in cable ducts or shafts and are provided with a cover. Your playful velvet paw will find a "tangle of cables" particularly irritating, so you should avoid this as well. Instead, offer her safe alternatives such as cat toys. By the way: Socket fuses can also be recommended for curious indoor cats.

Cat-proof the fan

Popular in summer, your fan is also a serious source of danger for your velvet paw. Before operating your fan, you should check whether the cover of the rotor blades holds securely and reliably. You should choose the location so that your cat does not get close.

Cat-proofing household appliances

Cats like to roam around the apartment, so many household appliances can become a danger:

• Stovetops: Hot stovetops can cause serious burns. However, many newer generation stoves offer a child lock that prevents the stove from being accidentally turned on.
• Washing machine: Cats love hiding places – not least in the laundry. Before washing and drying with the dryer, check that your kitty has not crawled into it for a nap. Cat caves and cat tunnels are a safe alternative.
• Kettle and iron: You should also keep an eye on your velvet paw when operating these appliances.

Dispose of waste in a cat-safe manner

Cats are curious and especially indoor cats are always looking for variety. Trash cans promise excitement, but pose a danger if your cat "discovers" food scraps and other things that you have thrown in the household waste and that are not suitable as cat toys or can even be life-threatening. A trash can with a heavy lid is worth its weight in gold here! Garbage cans are best placed out of reach and locked.

Keep cleaning products cat-proof

Cleaning products and other hazardous liquids (especially those stored in fragile glass bottles, such as medication or alcohol) should be kept securely sealed and out of reach of your cat. The following applies: Even if it seems unlikely, it is better not to take unnecessary risks.

Securing the toilet

Especially inexperienced cats want to inspect the bathroom and toilet carefully on their forays through the apartment. To protect your cat from the danger of drowning, make sure that the toilet lid is closed.

Offer cat-safe toys

Not all objects are suitable as cat toys: There is a high risk of injury, especially with small parts that can be swallowed, loose elements, cords or pointed and sharp objects. Of course, this also applies to attractive objects such as tools, plastic bags, or candles, for example on the Advent wreath. Therefore, you should always put away everything – including cat toys such as cat fishing rods – before you leave the house.

As you can see, there are dangers lurking in many places in the household for your cuddly cat. But don't worry: If you are on the road with your eyes open, you can prevent dangers. How do you cat-proof your home? We are looking forward to your tips!

Checklist for your cat-proof apartment

Here you will find all the safety measures to make your home cat-proof, as a checklist:

Windows and doors:

• Use a protective grille or tilt regulator for tilted windows
• Install cat-proof nets or grilles for fully open windows
• Tie up curtain cords securely
• Secure open doors with fixed wedges

Staircases:

• Reduce the risk of slipping with step mats
• Stair railing safe against clamps

Furniture:

• Placing furniture without dangerous gaps
• Avoid paw-sized holes and spacing
• padding sharp and pointed edges

Plant:

• to place poisonous and climbing plants out of reach or to give them away
• Position flower pots firmly and fix them if necessary
• Cover soil if necessary

Electrical appliances:

• Check the insulation of the power cables regularly
• Routing cables through conduits and covering them
• Avoid "cable clutter"
• Installing socket fuses
• In the case of the fan, check the rotor blade cover regularly and choose a cat-safe location

Household appliances:

• Use child safety locks, e.g. on the stove
• Check washing machine and dryer before operation
• Kettle and iron should only be used under supervision

Garbage:

• Use trash cans with heavy lids
• alternatively, place waste bins out of reach

Bathroom and toilet:

• Lock away cleaning agents
• Keep toilet lid closed

Cat toys:

• use only safe toys
• Lock away tools, knives, scissors and other pointed or sharp objects
• Put away plastic bags, cords, loose small parts
• Candles should only be left burning under supervision