Here at the Worst-Case blog, we’ve devoted a lot of time to our dog-loving readers, dolling out tips from the popular pocket guide including house-training, toxic chemicals to avoid & even how to actually teach old dogs, new tricks. Now though, we turn our attention to our feline fans with a brand new pocket guide – First up, kitten-proofing your home!
“How to Kitten-Proof Your Home” [via The Worst-Case Scenario Pocket Guide: Cats]
- Examine your entire house as if you were a kitten – Get down on all fours and move from room to room, peering into every exposed area. Identify and remove all small objects that might be swallowed by a curious kitten, such as screws (which can be lodged in a cat’s throat), as well as any yarn or string (which can create digestive problems if ingested).
- Rub electrical and computer cords with spicy substances – Liberally coat all exposed power cords with chilipowder or cayenne pepper to create a distasteful impression the first time the kitten attempts to chew on them.
- Tie up curtains - Loop the curtains so that the kitten can not jump high enough to scratch them.
- Remove dangerous objects from the kitchen counter – Move scissors, knives, and sharp utensils into locked drawers.
- Vigorously exercise your cat – A cat’s curiosity is often a manifestation of excess energy. Tire your cat out with long walks, running up and down the stairs, or chasing a “kitty lure.”
- Surround your plants with wrinkled aluminum foil – Place a loose layer of aluminum foil on the soil around the base of the plant. Lay more foil around the base of the pot itself. Kittens hate the feel of walking on foil and will avoid the plants.
- Keep the toilet lid down.
- Use garbage cans that require foot pressure to be opened.
- Move bird cages and fish bowls to areas of the home that are inaccessible to your cat – On average, a cat can jump five times as high as it is long. If you have no place to keep other pets that will not be out of reach of the cat, remove them from the household.
- Keep toxic substances out of reach – Secure cleaning products, prescription drugs, and vitamins behind closed cabinets. Many household substances, such as aspirin and antifreeze, can be deadly to cats.
- Screen the fireplace – A kitten may mistake cooling ashes for a litter box.
- Secure toilet paper rolls – Use a large binder clip to secure the unused portion of toilet paper, so your kitten cannot tug on the exposed piece.
Got your own tips to share? Find us on Twitter @WorstCaseBooks!
Cheers,
Jeff
Author Dave Borgenicht and the Worst-Case team are here to help prepare you, and you, and you(!) out there in webland for anything. Need to land a plane? Fending off a shark attack? Graduating and facing “what next?!”? We’re here, for you.
