Cat-proofing your home: how it works

The time has finally come: your furry companion is about to move in! The most important thing for your animal flatmate is a safe haven: they should feel at home in your home and be able to roam around carefree. For this to happen, you as a cat owner need to recognise all sources of danger and make your entire home cat-safe. We'll show you what you should look out for.

Make windows cat-proof

One of the most important measures to make your home cat-proof concerns the windows: your cat can be seriously injured, and in the worst case fatally, if the windows are tilted. You have these options for protection:

• Insert tilt window protective grilles: Get protective grilles for your bottom-hung windows, which you can simply stick or screw on. This way, the window gap is reliably barred when you ventilate your home and your cat is not in danger when climbing and playing - it cannot slip into the window gap through the grille.

• Cat-proof fly screens: Conventional insect screens in front of fully open windows are not suitable as cat screens as they can tear. However, there are cat-proof insect screens that are more robust: The mesh can also withstand your cat's claws and the frame is made of sturdy aluminium, for example.

• DIY cat fence: If you are handy, you can build your own frame with the right tools and wooden slats and fit it with a bite-proof cat net or rabbit wire.

• Secure curtain cords: Curtain cords or cords from blinds also pose a risk at the window. In the worst case scenario, your furry friend will not be able to free himself and could become dangerously entangled.

Window lock for cats without drilling

If you are renting or don't want to drill into your windows, there are also effective protective measures for your cat-proof windows without having to drill:

• Stretch cat netting in front of the window: Safety nets with coarse mesh are suitable as cat window guards for completely open windows, so that a nice view remains, but your cat cannot get outside. A plastic frame that fits your window size is inserted into the window and the net is stretched inside. You can simply remove the net frame again after airing.

• Use tilt regulators: With tilt regulators, you can open your tilted window in stages. The smallest openings allow enough fresh air, but not enough space for your cat. The small levers and their holders are easy to stick on and therefore easy to remove.

Making roof windows cat-proof

Making roof windows cat-proof is also not complicated. Here, too, you can use a tilting window safety grille, but this requires that your roof window can only be opened as far as the size of the safety grille allows. An alternative is an internally mounted cat net, which can be attached to the window using hooks on the sloping roof, for example.

Cat-proofing the stairs

Many cats love to climb stairs: you can climb them and watch everything from above. Wooden stairs or stairs with tiles in particular pose a risk of slipping when cats romp around - which can be particularly dangerous if there is a permeable banister. For such open stairs with comparatively slippery floors, step mats, i.e. carpet tiles in the shape of the steps, provide better grip. For particularly agile four-legged friends, you should also consider making the banisters cat-proof.

Making doors cat-proof

Doors and sliding doors should not endanger your tiger: Make sure that no door can slam shut when there is a draught and that there is no risk of trapping. A firm wedge can be a valuable aid here. Cats are very docile and like to learn how to open doors from humans. To prevent cats from opening the door on their own, you should put the door handle upwards, for example.

Cat-proof plants

Do you have lots of houseplants at home? Owners should check beforehand which of them could be dangerous for their pet. Because in the event of poisoning, your house cat will have to deal with unpleasant consequences such as circulatory problems, vomiting, diarrhoea or breathing difficulties. Large cacti with sharp spines also pose a risk of injury to animals. It is better to give these popular houseplants away or place them in a room that is inaccessible to your cat:

• Cyclamen

• Amaryllis

• Begonia

• Benjamini (also ficus, ficus benjamina or birch fig)

• Bow hemp

• Dragon tree

• Efeutute

• Einblatt

• Cactia

• Poinsettia

Making flower pots cat-proof

Many a supposedly heavy flower pot has given way when a cat jumps on it, toppling over and breaking. Not only can your cat be frightened by the fall, it can also injure itself on the shards. You should therefore position potted plants in a particularly stable position and secure them if necessary. Ideally, you should avoid using flower pots on high shelves altogether.

In addition, many cats like to dig in the soil, which is not healthy for freshly fertilised houseplants and often results in soil and paw prints all over the home. Sometimes a layer of coarse gravel or stones on top of the soil or a fabric cover can help.

Make cables cat-proof

Power cables can be found in every home. This makes it all the more important that you exercise extreme caution here and that the cables are all safely insulated in case your pet gets the idea of nibbling on them. Ideally, they should run in cable ducts or shafts and be covered. Your playful kitten will find a ‘tangle of cables’ particularly irritating, so you should avoid this too. Instead, offer him safe alternatives such as cat toys. By the way: socket protectors can also be recommended for curious indoor cats.

Make the fan cat-proof

Your fan is also a serious source of danger for your pet. Before operating the fan, you should always check that the cover on the rotor blades is secure and reliable. You should choose the installation location so that your cat cannot reach it.

Checklist for your cat-safe home

You should pay attention to these safety measures on our checklist to make your home cat-safe:

Windows and doors:

• Use protective grille or tilt regulator for tilted windowsen
• Install cat-proof nets or grilles for fully open windows
• Tying up curtain cords securely
• Secure open doors with fixed wedges

Stairs

• Reduce the risk of slipping with stair mats
• Secure banisters

Furniture

• Set up furniture without a dangerous gap
• Avoid holes and gaps where the cat could get its paws stuck
• Pad sharp and pointed edges, e.g. with a rubber corner protector
• Setting up scratching trees safely

Plants and flower pots:

• Place poisonous and climbing plants out of reach or give them away
• Stable positioning and fixing of flower pots and potted plants
• No flower pots on high shelves
• Cover the soil of freshly fertilised houseplants, e.g. with gravel, stones or a textile cover

Electrical appliances:

• Check the insulation of the power cables regularly
• Route cables through cable ducts and cover them
• Avoid ‘cable clutter’
• Inserting socket outlet fuses
• Check the rotor blade cover of the fan regularly and choose a cat-proof location
• Check before use that the cat has not hidden in the washing machine, tumble dryer or even in your laundry

Kitchen:

• Use child safety locks, e.g. special grids for the hob
• Only use the kettle and iron under supervision
• Do not leave food that is poisonous or unhealthy for cats, such as chocolate, lying around

Rubbish:

• Use a bin with a heavy lid
• Alternatively, place litter bins out of reach

Bathroom and toilet:

• Lock away cleaning materials and medication; if your cat tries to open drawers and cupboards, childproof locks are the solution
• Keep the toilet lid closed

Cat toys and dangerous objects:

• Only use safe toys
• Lock away tools, knives, scissors and other pointed or sharp objects
• Clear away plastic bags, cords, loose small parts
• Only burn candles under supervision