Skip to main content

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Do these 4 things to kitten-proof your home

Bringing home a new kitten is an exciting time, but before your kitty arrives, it’s important to get your home ready. Kitten-proofing can be a challenge, but it’s an essential step to keep your new family member safe. It’s best to start kitten-proofing your home a few weeks ahead of your kitten’s arrival so you have plenty of time to identify risks and buy any supplies you might need to fix the issues you discover. Even if you have an older cat, it’s still important to get ready for your new kitten’s higher energy, love of exploring, and ability to get into smaller areas. These tips can help ensure you take the right steps to keep your new kitten safe.

Block off access to dangerous areas

Kittens have an impressive ability to find trouble anywhere and get into the smallest places that they shouldn’t. They also are often drawn to warm, cozy areas, which can lead to safety risks. It’s important to be able to identify these potential risky areas ahead of time, which can help keep your kitten safe.

Recommended Videos

Take a walk through your house and look for these potential problem areas. Block off access to areas like the fireplace and furnaces, and close doors to any areas you don’t want your kitten getting into. Kids’ rooms are often full of small items that kittens could ingest or choke on, so it’s a good idea to make these areas off-limits. You might also want to close dresser drawers and closets. Be sure to secure cabinets closed, especially when they contain materials like cleaning products.

Stocking up on plenty of pet gates can help with this process, but remember that kittens are good climbers, too, and a pet gate might deter them only for a little while. Blocking off entire rooms with a solid door is often the better way to go.

Tiger kitten sitting underneath a table
Iqbalnuril/Pixabay

Reinforce window screens

Your kitten may love lying on the windowsill and watching the outdoors, but windows can be a potential hazard, especially when kittens like to climb screens. Window screens aren’t always made to withstand a kitten’s weight, and they might pop out of the window, or the screen itself could pull out of the frame.

Check to make sure that all your screens are properly and firmly installed. If the frame doesn’t stay firmly in the window, consider reinforcing the frame with a few screws. You can also buy safety grates to reinforce your screen door.

If you have windows that you want to keep your kitten away from, consider redecorating. Move furniture away from those windows to make them less easy to access.

Remove risky items

You’ll need to go through your house and remove any items that could put your kitten’s health at risk. Tempting objects like power cords and string might attract kittens, but they could lead to injuries or death. Your kitten might also be intrigued by your houseplants. If you do have plants, verify that they’re nontoxic to cats. Keep any plants out of reach so your kitten doesn’t try to climb or knock them over.

Just before your kitten arrives, do a quick walk-through to make sure you haven’t missed anything, or that your kids haven’t brought out toys since you last cleaned up. Pay particular attention to little items, like rubber bands and string, that your kitten might try to chew.

Kitten pawing at a fish tank
Irina Kukuts/Pixabay

Stock up on essentials

Kittens are lively, playful, and have a way of getting into everything. Stocking up on items like scratching posts and toys can help. If your kitten scratches the furniture or tries to climb the drapes, you can use these items to redirect her attention. Having plenty of toys can also keep your kitten entertained, reducing the chances that she’ll get into trouble elsewhere.

When you put the extra effort into kitten-proofing your home ahead of time, you’ll be better able to enjoy your time with your new kitten. Since you’ve already addressed the potential risks around your home, you’ll be able to sit back, relax, and get to know your new furry family member. It’s always important to continue to look out for risks in your house, and as your kitten grows, she might start to explore new areas that you hadn’t previously thought about. With vigilant kitten-proofing, though, you can help keep her safe as she grows, explores, and plays.

Paige Cerulli
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Paige's work has appeared in American Veterinarian, Business Insider, Healthline, and more. When she's not writing, Paige…
Looking for cute dog names? Try these incredible ideas
This list of adorable names will help you pick a moniker
Weimaraner puppy with blue eyes sits and looks up

There are a lot of decisions to make when you bring home a new pet, but one of the first things to decide is their name. Some shelter dogs may come to you with a name already, but many dog owners choose to start life anew with a whole new moniker to call their new puppy pal. But how in the world can you decide what to name them?
You simply have to read over these cute dog names! Whether your new companion is big or small, old or young, one of these sweet, classic names is bound to fit them. Of course, take your time while in the throes of this process and do what feels right to you. You truly can't go wrong!
30 cute dog names for females

These are some of the most popular girl dog names in recent years. They may have been used before, but there's no doubt that they're classic and cute.

Read more
How often should you bathe your dog? You might be surprised
Why you don't need to bathe your dog every week (or month)
Small dog on a purple leash in a bath

That new puppy smell is the absolute best until your furry friend rolls around in mud (at least you think it was mud ... but it doesn't smell like mud). The writing is on the wall at this point: Fido is due for a bath.

However, should you do like Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher reportedly do with their human children and wait until you see the dirt on your fur baby before throwing them in the bath? Conversely, if you consider your nightly bath or morning shower a blissful experience, should you extend the same to your pet?

Read more
These are the best boy cat names we’ve ever heard
Top boy cat names for your furry bundle of joy
Orange cat on a chair

What's in a name? So much, at least when naming a cat. Sure, a cat may not come when you call like a dog does (but they might). However, your cat's name can reflect their personalities (and yours).

Picking out the best name for your cat can feel like a tall task, albeit more fun than choosing a litter box. There are many options to choose from, but none feel quite right. If you're expecting a boy, we've got you covered. These are the best boy cat names, from famous cats and people to regal-sounding monikers.
Most popular and trending boy cat names

Read more