Preparing Your Home For A New Kitten
When preparing to bring home a new kitten you will need to view your home as they would, a world full of things they want to get into and investigate! Some of the things common to all households can be potentially dangerous for your new kitten. If this is your first kitten, or maybe it’s been a long time since you’ve had a kitten, here are some common ones that we have found that you may want to think about.
Things That Go In The Mouth
- Flowers and plants – House plants are a beautiful addition to the home but many plants are toxic to cats. For example, Lillies are a very popular houseplant or you may even receive a bouquet of flowers containing Lillies but according to fda.gov Lilies, the “true lily” and “daylily” families are very dangerous for cats. The entire lily plant is toxic: the stem, leaves, flowers, pollen, and even the water in a vase. Eating just a small amount of a leaf or flower petal, licking a few pollen grains off its fur while grooming, or drinking the water from the vase can cause your cat to develop fatal kidney failure in less than 3 days. We recommend not even having them in the house. It is best to research what plants you have to see if they are toxic to cats and either put them in a place that the kitten can’t reach or get rid of them.
- Power Cords and Cables – power cords, cables for your TV, phone & laptop chargers are very tempting for your kitten to chew or play with. Tidy them away, fit cable tidies or block the kitten’s access.
- Hot drinks – kittens are naturally curious and may be tempted to sneak a drink or may knock the cup over and risk being scalded so keep them safely out of reach.
- Cleaning products – Most are harmful to cats so store where kittens are unable to get to. Be aware of floor cleaners that are toxic as cats can become sick from licking their paws after walking on a newly cleaned floor. We use and recommend:
- Trueeco Dog and Cat Surface Cleaner, it is a:
- Safe and highly effective cleaner which harnesses the use of beneficial bacteria designed to enhance the breakdown of organic waste and eliminate unwanted odours.
- Is safe for pets, humans and all surfaces.
- Great with cleaning all accidents including urine, faeces, vomit, drool and any other nasties.
- Can be used as a multi-purpose cleaner, kitchen, flooring, windows, couch, bedding and you can use the concentrate as a laundry liquid as well.
- It smells great!
- We also recommend F10 SC Veterinary Disinfectant as it is a:
- Broad spectrum disinfectant – rapidly kills most viruses, bacteria, fungi, and spores
- No adverse effects on people, animals, surfaces, or equipment
- Biodegradable and ecologically friendly
- Trueeco Dog and Cat Surface Cleaner, it is a:
- Toiletries – Toiletries such as deodorants, creams, and hair products contain ingredients that are potentially poisonous to kittens, so store them where your kitten is unable to get to and use them carefully when around your kitten.
- Medicines – It’s hard work to give a cat medicine unless it’s yours! It’s important to keep all medicines out of reach, as it can be tempting for a kitten to play with or chew loose pills.
Things They Get Into
- Fridges – Kittens can easily hop in unnoticed when you putting something in or out of the fridge so always check or take note of where your kitten is when you are in the kitchen.
- Dishwashers – There seems to be a fascination with hopping in dishwashers so again check where kittens are before turning it on. Keep it closed where possible.
- Laundry Appliances – Washing machines and tumble dryers are very tempting and very dangerous hiding places! Keep the doors closed and check before switching on.
- Toilet – Every cat/kitten we’ve ever owned has had a fascination with the toilet! It’s a good idea to always keep the toilet seat down. (So to all men in the household PUT THE LID DOWN! 🤣 Women everywhere love that advice!) Your kitten could jump in and may be unable to get out leading to them potentially drowning.
- Bath – Unlike most cats, British Shorthairs love to play with water. Never leave a bath running or full bath unattended, as a curious kitten could fall in, be scalded or drown.
Things That Burn
- Iron – kittens will try and jump onto anything and an ironing board is no exception. The cord of the iron is a tempting toy and they can easily pull a hot iron down on themselves. Always be aware of where your kitten is when ironing and don’t leave it unattended. Pack it away as soon as you’re finished.
- Hair straighteners/curlers – Place them somewhere safe for them to cool after use or shut your kitten out of the room.
- Cooktop – This one really goes without saying, no explanation needed.
