Cat Proof Your Apartment

As adorable as kittens and cats are, their claws and curious nature can wreak havoc on your clothes, furniture, and linens throughout your apartment. Thankfully, there's much you can do to cat-proof your apartment so your new baby kittens don't destroy all of your possessions. You also need to remove hazards so that your cat is not injured or killed.

Checking Your Apartment and Changing Your Habits

 * 1) Test your screens. If you open your windows often, check to make sure your screens don't give easily under pressure. Some screens will pop out, letting your cat escape or even injuring your cat if it falls out of a second- or third-story apartment.[[Image:Cat Proof Your Apartment Step 1 Version 3.jpg|center]]
 * 2) * If your screens do pop out, only open your windows a crack or ask your management staff if they can be changed out.
 * 3) Always check your dryer and dishwasher. Cats have a tendency to go where it's warm. When you're done using these appliances, make sure you close them so that your cat doesn't crawl in and get trapped. In addition, always look inside before you run them. [[Image:Cat Proof Your Apartment Step 2 Version 3.jpg|center]]
 * 4) Cover your trash cans. Some cats will decide they want to explore what's in your trash can, either digging out unsavory items that make them sick or knocking the can over. They could also be cut on items, such as can lids. An easy solution is to get a can with a lid. [[Image:Cat Proof Your Apartment Step 3 Version 3.jpg|center]]
 * 5) Put the lid down. Cats, especially kittens, can drown in a small amount of water, including your toilet bowl. In addition, older cats may want to drink from the not-so-clean water. It's best just to put the lid down when the toilet's not in use. [[Image:Cat Proof Your Apartment Step 4 Version 3.jpg|center]]
 * 6) Check your furniture. If you have furniture that reclines or has a lifting foot, always check underneath before putting it up. Cats love crawling in tight spaces, and you don't want to trap yours. [[Image:Cat Proof Your Apartment Step 5 Version 3.jpg|center]]
 * 7) Don't leave candles unattended. Cats can catch their fur on fire when they walk by. Make sure you are always nearby when you have one lit.[[Image:Cat Proof Your Apartment Step 6 Version 3.jpg|center]]
 * 8) Tell your management about your cat. While you may want to hide your pet to avoid paying a deposit, it's important to warn management about your pet. Because management may enter your apartment in an emergency, they should know you have a pet, so they don't let it out accidentally. [[Image:Cat Proof Your Apartment Step 7 Version 3.jpg|center]]

Removing Hazards

 * 1) Check for poisonous plants. Many plants are poisonous to cats. Some are only mildly so, while others can be deadly. Check each plant in your house to make sure they are not poisonous to your cat. It's best to take out poisonous plants altogether, but if you must keep them, put them in a room the cat is not allowed in. [[Image:Cat Proof Your Apartment Step 8 Version 3.jpg|center]]
 * 2) * Some common plants that are poisonous include Aloe Vera, any type of lilies, many types of ferns (though not all), calladium, and many ivies.
 * 3) * Some non-toxic options for cats include African violets, bamboo, and feather palm.
 * 4) Keep poisonous foods out of reach or put away. You shouldn't have coffee, alcohol, chocolate, grapes, or raisins where your cat can eat them. In addition, you shouldn't let your cat try yeast dough, macadamia nuts, onions, garlic, chives, or xylitol, as they can also cause problems. Though it's common lore that cats like milk, you shouldn't feed it to them because the lactose can cause stomach issues. Finally, avoid feeding your cat extra salt, as she may not be able to process it properly. [[Image:Cat Proof Your Apartment Step 9 Version 3.jpg|center]]
 * 5) * This list isn't comprehensive. Always check to see if a food is safe to feed your pet by using high quality websites or asking your vet.
 * 6) Put up any strings. Strings, such as the ones on blinds, are enticing to your cat. They look like perfect toys to her. However, she can get tangled up in them or even strangle herself. Your cat also might be interested in cords for electronics, which have an obvious risk if she chews on them. Hide them or tie them up high when possible.[[Image:Cat Proof Your Apartment Step 10 Version 3.jpg|center]]
 * 7) * Don't forget to hide strings such as dental floss or yarn. While you can use them to play with your cat, if you leave her unsupervised with these items, she can swallow, which can cause stomach problems.
 * 8) * If you can't get them out of reach of your cat, you can make them taste bad. Use a cat-safe spray, such as bitter apple.
 * 9) Hide the chemicals away. Cleaning supplies and other household chemicals are often poisonous to cats, and your curious cat may try to get into a bottle if she can find one. Therefore, make sure you keep them put away in cabinets that your cat can't get into. [[Image:Cat Proof Your Apartment Step 11 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 10) Hide medicines. Like chemicals, medicines can be poisonous to your cats. Even if it's a medicine your cat can normally take, it will be a much higher dose than she would need. Unfortunately, your medicine bottles may sound like a cat toy to her, and she may play with it until it pops open. Put them away in a medicine cabinet or cat-proof box, such as one with snap handles. [[Image:Cat Proof Your Apartment Step 12 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 11) Remove other toxic items. Some common household items are toxic to your cat, ones you wouldn't think about. For instance, mothballs and fabric softener sheets can be toxic. In addition, cigarettes and batteries can also cause your cat problems. Make sure to keep these out of your cat's reach.[[Image:Cat Proof Your Apartment Step 13 Version 2.jpg|center]]

Protecting Your Things and Your Apartment

 * 1) Provide appropriate scratching places. If you live in apartment, you want to protect it from your pet. Therefore, make sure you provide a place for you cat to scratch that's not the carpet. You can find inexpensive scratching boards at any pet store; some are even made out of cardboard. [[Image:Cat Proof Your Apartment Step 14 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 2) Take down breakables. If you knickknacks that are breakable, it's best to hide them away, even if you think they are out of your cat's reach. She is a curious creature, and she will climb onto places you wouldn't expect, knocking off your breakables. Not only will you lose the knickknacks, your kitty could get hurt on broken shards. [[Image:Cat Proof Your Apartment Step 15 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 3) Clip your cat's claws. If you don't believe in declawing your cat, clip your cat's toenails on a regular basis. That will help protect your furniture, plus it's better for your cat. If her claws aren't trimmed, they can cause pain for your cat. [[Image:Cat Proof Your Apartment Step 16 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 4) * You don't need a special tool to trim your cat's claws, though you can buy one. You can just use regular nail clippers, as long as they're sharp. Have cornstarch, styptic powder, or a bar of soap near by to stop bleeding (rub them on the bleeding part), though the claw shouldn't bleed if you do it correctly. Grip your cat under one arm, while gently grabbing a paw. Press on the cat pad to extend the claw, then clip the nail, making sure to avoid the "quick," the pink part, which has nerve endings. Trim the rest of the claws. It may take several sittings to get them all.
 * 5) * If you do decide to declaw your cat, make sure you research your vets. Different vets use different declawing methods; the best approach is either the blade excision method or the laser method, as these usually do not lead to bone or pad damage, which the guillotine method, the more traditional approach, can do.
 * 6) Cover your furniture. A cat sheds. That's a fact of life. While you can't stop a cat from shedding, you can find covers for your furniture. They may not be the prettiest option, but you can pull them off when company comes over. Plus, you can wash them periodically. [[Image:Cat Proof Your Apartment Step 17 Version 2.jpg|center]]

Tips

 * In addition to the steps above, consult your veterinarian or local pet supply store for advice about additional products to help cat-proof your apartment.

Related wikiHows

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 * Build a Cat House

Sources and Citations
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