MeOW  Welcome to Service Cats and Everything Feline on Furidays; where we tackle your questions and topic suggestions, includin’ Trainin’ Tips, Health, and everything purr worthy. Purrlease submit your questions in the comments below or by sendin’ us an email via our Contact page. And you can always ketch up or reread any post in this series by clickin’ the links on our Training Tips and Everything Feline page in our menu.

 

 

 

 

 

The followin’ post will be written in human English fur reader and translator ease. Our Service Cat posts aren’t intended to be an all inclusive Trainin’ Manual but rather Tips, Tricks and Techniques used/developed by mommy A thru her many years of animal trainin’, cats in purrticular. And to offur insight into your questions about Everything Feline. Always remember, Training is all ‘bout Repetition and Rewards.

 

 

 

     As most of you know, mommy volunteered with rescue groups fur many years. Her specialty was “bottle babies”, kittens with no mother. She could always count on kitten season to fill up her house and every other rescue and shelter. Kitten season rolls around every year without fail because there are still so many cats that don’t get spayed or neutered. In our part of the world, kitten season runs from April to about August.

 

 

 

 

     Spring and Summer temperatures are ideal for causing females to go into heat and start seeking to mate. Because of this, June has become known as Adopt a Cat month. However, kitten or adult, all cats are extremely adventurous and curious. Taking this and some of the emails we’ve gotten lately into consideration, we’ve decided to run a a small miniseries on prepping for and adopting a new kitty. Today, we’re going to talk about Kitten/Cat proofing your home.

 

 

 

 

     You might be thinking we should start with picking your new family member, however, we believe the process starts here with prepping your home before the new addition arrives; just as you would for a human baby. Regardless of the age you plan to adopt, you’ll need to take some steps to make sure your home is safe to bring a new kitty in to.

 

 

 

 

Get Low:

     Now this may sound funny to you, but kitty will spend a lot of time on the floor. You may not need to actually get on your knees but you do need to see your home through kitty’s eyes. All the cords running from your television, computer, lamps, clocks and whatever else are just large stationary strings/vines to kitty. They are also a nice chew toy. Think Tarzan swinging from vine (cord) to vine (cord). Mommy’s found the best deterrent is to wrap those cords in electrical tape. Cords hanging off the edge of desks or tables can be wrapped in those cord protectors. If you need a cheap DIY cord protector, you can use an old long sleeve shirt or lightweight pants legs. Just cut the sleeves or legs off and put the cords thru it. Depending on the length of the cord(s) and your arms/legs, you may need more than one sleeve. 

 

     Check your shelves for knick knacks. If there’s something you’d be heartbroken to lose, put it away. Don’t blame a rambunctious kitty when it gets broken. Move candles, potpourri, oil burners, dangerous/toxic houseplants, photos and photo albums, and books to higher shelves or put them in storage. Better yet, throw the potpourri out, it harbors dust mites and is toxic to kitty at any age.

 

Kitchen & Dining Room:

     Let’s take a look at the kitchen and dining room, why don’t we?. What dangers could be in such a pawsome place you ask? Well, mommy keeps the bug sprays and some of the cleaners under the kitchen cabinet, do you? Us kitties are very smart and we’re tenacious. If we want in some where, we’ll work at it until we find a way. Make sure kitty can’t get into the cabinet with cleaners, chemicals and/or poisons. Commercial child proof locks work well for kitty too.

 

     Burner covers for the stove top come in very handy and can be purchased for as low as $1.00. Never leave hot burners unattended until you know for sure how kitty will act around them. Better yet, train kitty to stay off the stove and kitchen counters altogether. Check out our Training Tips to stop Countersurfing kitty here. Throw out the plastic fruits and fruit bowls of yesteryear and make sure any fruits left out are safe for kitty to eat. Don’t leave tempting food on the counters uncovered. At least not until kitty has successfully passed the No Countersurfing course. MOL

 

     NEVER, leave the oven door open, especially when turned on. Kitty’s desire for warmth and natural curiosity combined with a hot oven can make for a deadly combination. Never leave the refrigerator or freezer doors open. More than once Raena’s tried to hop into the fridge for a look see. That girl does love her cheese. If you have one of those automatic dishwashers, keep the door closed and/or keep an eye on kitty while you load and unload. Anyways, me thinks you’re getting the idea here, open doors are rarely a kitty’s friend. 

 

Never underestimate a determined kitty.

 

 

 

Well, me’s gonna wrap it up fur today. As me meowed earlier, this will be a little miniseries, so we’ll be back next week with more Kitten/Cat Proofing ideas fur ya’. Don’t furget you can ketch up on any posty you may have missed by clickin’ the links on our Training Tips and Everything feline page from the menu above. And purrlease, leave your questions, comments and topic suggestions in the comments section below or send us an email via our Contact page. Remember when askin’ behavioral questions to purrlease be as specific as pawssible and include any examples you think are necessary. Now, let’s get some kitties adopted!!! OMC Me totally furgot to link up with Comedy Plus fur Feline Furiday, so we had to come back and edit me’s posty. Now, let’s get some kitties adopted. 🙂

 

Till the next time……………………………………………………………Be Blest!!!

 

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses 

 

Deztinee and RaenaBelle