How to Cat-Proof an Apartment (10 Must-Know Things)

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How to Cat-Proof an Apartment

Bringing a new cat into your apartment is very exciting. You want to make sure that the cat stays safe and has fun.  

You might have a new pet, or you are just sitting for one. It’s essential to get your apartment ready and safe.

Here are some of the best ways to cat-proof an apartment.  

10 Steps to Making Your Apartment Cat Safe

You’re excited about bringing your new friend home.

You’ll need to make sure your apartment is ready for an adventurous cat. These are some helpful tricks to make your home safer. 

It’s crucial to check every one of these suggestions.

Sometimes you forget about problems because you haven’t had a cat in a while. Double-checking can’t hurt anything.

1. Check All Your Screens and Windows 

A loose screen or an open window can be an escape hatch for your cat.

When cats get to a new place, they like to look around. If they find an easy out, they may take it, sometimes by accident.

Making sure that all your screens are locked in place can help. Closing all the windows may also be a good idea at first. Make sure the cat can run and explore without escaping. 

If any of your screens have holes, you might want to fix those. Cats like to paw and play with things, and a hole can soon become bigger.

A patch may keep your cat safe in the apartment. 

2. Protect Your Cords 

Make sure you handle your cords carefully. Hanging cords and tangles of wires can become dangerous toys for your cat.

Keeping cables wrapped up will make them less appealing. 

You may also want to unplug cords you don’t use regularly. Cats can sometimes decide to chew on cords. If you don’t notice the behavior, this can get dangerous. 

It is unlikely you won’t see your cat chewing on cords you use all the time. However, a cord you rarely use can get lost. If a cat bites an unplugged cord, it is much less dangerous. 

If it’s plugged in, it can be a huge hazard to your cat. It is best to avoid this potential danger by unplugging seldom-used items.  

Also, you may want to get caps for unused sockets. Covered sockets are less likely to become problems for your cat. 

3. Cover Your Trash 

A trash lid can save you and your cat problems. Cats can see an open trash can as an invitation. It’s easy to find all sorts of bad things in the trash. 

The cat can pull out dangerous bones like chicken.

It’s easy to find dental floss and other strings that they might eat. There are plenty of potential dangers you throw out every day. 

If you get lucky and your cat doesn’t find anything dangerous, it’s still a mess. You’ll have to clean it up, and you could avoid the whole problem. A lid can save you a ton of trouble.

4. Keep Breakable Items in Safe Spots 

People have a lot of proof that cats like to break things.

If you don’t believe it, a quick search will show you cats knocking things off everything. It’s best not to leave things out to avoid this problem.  

Put everything valuable and breakable away before the cat gets in the house. Be careful leaving out dishes, especially if they’re glass. If the cat shouldn’t knock it down, find a hiding place.

Even when you have a strict no-counter policy, it’s better to be safe. Cats will find a way to get on the kitchen countertop when you’re not looking.

Also read: 10 Ways to Keep Cats Off Kitchen Counters 

5. Place Cat Specific Items in Accessible Locations 

There are many things your cat needs daily. Make sure that they can get to them quickly. These include food bowls and kitty litter boxes. 

When a cat is new to a home, show them their litter boxes.

Make sure they know where each one is right away. You can also show them beds and food dishes. 

These shouldn’t be in hard-to-reach spots. Make them super easy for your cat to find and use. If your cat can’t get to the litter box, they may have accidents.

Also read: 7 Ways to Clean a Litter Box in an Apartment? 

6. Make Sure Lit Candles are Out of Reach

If you want to burn candles with a cat in the apartment, be careful. As already stated, cats love knocking things down. Dropping a lit item can be extraordinarily dangerous. 

When you light candles, make sure they are well out of your cat’s reach. High shelves that the cat can’t get to work best.

Never leave the candle unattended with the cat. It’s only a matter of time before the cat figures out how to get to it and this could lead to a mishap (which could have been easily avoided).

7. Be Careful with Cleaning Supplies 

Cats will often require some extra cleaning around the apartment. Even though you may be using cleaning supplies more, you have to be extra careful. 

Cats love to play with things they shouldn’t. If you leave cleaning supplies out, they will become toys. Even if you put them away, your cat may decide to lick the spot you just cleaned.

Cats ingesting cleaning supplies can be dangerous, so you want to avoid it. 

Whenever possible, get cat-safe, non-toxic cleaning supplies. That will make clean-ups a little less stressful. 

8. Make Sure Your Plants a Kitty-Safe 

Many household plants are human-safe but not cat-friendly. Lilies, tulips, daisies, and many more common household plants can hurt your cat.  

Some of these plants will cause stomach issues. Others can have much more severe side effects. 

You must learn all the dangerous plants for cats. Then you can get rid of them before your new cat moves into your apartment. 

If you can’t get rid of the plants, make sure that you keep them out of your cat’s reach.

High shelves are a good start but watch your cat. It is shocking where they can get when motivated. 

If your cat does start eating plants, contact a vet immediately. Fast responses to the problem may help save your pet. 

9. Close the Toilet Lid 

There are plenty of problems with an open toilet for cats. Toilets are filled with germs, even if you clean regularly. The bowl often has extra harsh chemicals to keep them clean.

Some cats can slip and fall into the bowl.

If they do, it can be disgusting and dangerous. Even though it is uncommon, smaller cats have been known to drown in the water.  

To avoid all these potential problems, it’s easier just to keep the lid closed. If your bathroom doesn’t have litter, it may be better to leave the door closed. 

10. Put Poisonous Foods Away

Human food can be delicious for both people and cats. Unfortunately, many foods that you can eat are not safe for your cat.  

A big problem is that cats love the taste of a lot of these foods. The feline may go to great lengths to get a taste.

To ensure their safety, you have to work even harder to keep it away. 

Don’t leave dangerous foods for cats on counters unattended. The minute you leave the room, your cat will make their move. 

Clear counters and tables regularly. If you throw away bad food, make sure you put the lid on the trash. It is vital to keep your cat away from harmful snacks. 

Also read: 10 Ideas to Make Your Balcony Cat-Friendly

Think About Your Cats Special Needs

Every cat is unique, and some cats may have different requirements. If you are getting a kitten or an old cat, there may be special considerations. 

Older cats may not be as mobile. They may also have health issues. Ensure that they can get to their litter and food even as they age. 

Kittens are going to be much more energetic. They will play with almost everything. Make sure that they can’t get into anything dangerous. Watch them and see where and how they play. 

If your cat has medical issues, you may also have to take extra steps. Blind or deaf cats may need more precautions. Discuss with your vet other features they might need. 

Protect Your Furniture

This tip isn’t for your cat’s protection, but it may still be helpful. Cats love to paw at things. If they have claws, this can be a problem. Your furniture can get torn up fast. 

There are unique covers you can get to help protect your stuff. These covers are usually reasonably inexpensive, and they aren’t permanent. 

Not only do they protect from claws, but they also help with cat hair and messes.

The covers can be easy to take off and clean. Much easier than cleaning standard upholstery. 

Cat Proofing Isn’t One and Done 

Many cat-proofing concepts require consistency. Just because you put the lid down on the toilet once isn’t enough. You have to continue making safe cat choices every day. 

It can be challenging, but it is also worth it to keep your cat safe.

Final Thoughts 

You want to ensure that your cat’s new home is safe for them. Once you’re sure your cat is safe, you can get to more important things. You know, like petting your cat. 

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