If it could hurt a toddler, it could hurt your kitten.

The rule of thumb you should always follow is that if something would be dangerous for a toddler, it’s probably going to be dangerous for your kitten too.

This includes things like:

The cord to your drapes’secure them, so your cat doesn’t get wrapped up

Small items they could fit in their mouths’these are choking hazards

Anything that’s glass which they could break and then step on

Lit candles are a fire hazard

Hanging tablecloths can be pulled on and brought down (including whatever was on top of them)

Toddler’s toys can be dangerous too. If they’re made from fur, wool, sponge, soft rubber or polyurethane, your kitten may bite off a chunk of it and choke.

If you have a toddler, this should be a fairly easy precaution. Otherwise, just walk around your home and, silly as it may sound, pretend you’re a kitten. Consider all the trouble you could get into and then address those issues.

Start closing doors to dangerous areas

This goes hand-in-hand (or paw-in-paw, if you’re still pretending to be a kitten) with the last tip. While you’re making your rounds, look for every opportunity your kitten will find for exploration that has a door on it. That list would include things like:

The oven

Dryers/washers

The dishwasher

Basically, any area that is temporarily closed off to them’when the door is shut’but then becomes accessible is going to be nearly irresistible to a young kitten.

Sadly, if you don’t realize they’re in there, you might close the door, locking them inside. Worse, if you start one of these machines, your poor kitten is going to be in a lot of trouble.

Toilets should be included on this list as well. The lid needs to be put down every time. Kittens may fall in and be unable to get back out.

Get rid of plants that are toxic to cats.

Currently, you may own some plants that are poisonous to cats. Unfortunately, there’s no other solution than to get rid of them. Rest assured, at some point, your kitten will become enthralled by the feel and smell of this plant, which means they could end up chewing on it and getting fatally sick.

Lock up anything your cat would eat’including household cleaners.

No matter how much you feed your little fur baby, they’ll always be on the lookout for another meal.

Sometimes, this may mean exploring your cupboards, so keep them shut or you’ll end up with an overfed kitten who may end up getting ill.

Household cleaners also need to be kept in a safe place, though. Never let your kitten into a room where you’re using them until you’ve wiped all the chemicals away.

For whatever reason, a lot of cats are actually quite keen on firelighters too. These are toxic, though, so make sure you put them somewhere far from your kitten’s reach.

Secure all your windows and doors.

Whether or not you allow your kitten to eventually explore the outside world, when they’re still just a little bundle of fur, it’s best you not let them. Don’t give in if they whine to be let out. Remember that even full-sized cats face serious threats when outside and your little kitten will be no match for them.

To ensure they don’t end up on the other side of your walls, check the screens on your windows. Your cat will most likely enjoy sitting on a window sill, meaning they could push the screen out by accident and end up falling outside.

Do the same thing with screen doors. Also, check to make sure that they can only be opened by those of us with opposable thumbs. Otherwise, your little fur kid may find a way out.

Electrical cords need to be addressed

There are a few reasons your kitten may find something as dull and mundane as an electrical cord utterly fascinating. Unfortunately, they all end with your precious fur baby chewing on them’obviously, that’s a problem.

While you can’t go without electricity, you should be able to keep these cords as short as possible. Tack them down if you can, so your kitten won’t be able to play with them. Cord covers from your hardware store will do wonders too.

Keep their claws nice and trimmed

Kitten-proofing your home will be much easier if you address your little pal’s claws. For one thing, you’ll be a lot safer too if they don’t have sharp claws at their disposal.

Trimmed claws will also make it a lot more difficult for your kitten to accidentally get themselves into trouble. Check them every few weeks to see if it’s time to have your kitten’s claws clipped. Scratching posts can help with this.

At first, keeping your kitten safe may feel like a full-time job. However, most of the tips above are precautions you’ll only need to do once. The others are simple chores that will ensure that your precious kitten is purrrr-fectly safe in their new home.