Your innate desire to keep your cat safe is as natural as his desire to climb. Keeping your cat indoors is one way to protect him from outdoor dangers that are beyond your control. However, any cat, even those supposedly older and wiser, is capable of getting themselves stuck in a sticky situation.
They can’t help it. They’re curious and mischievous and just can’t resist jumping, climbing or crawling into or onto anything which looks interesting or different. Let's face it, it’s one of the reasons we love them, but it means you have to carry out a cat risk assessment before bringing a cat into your home.
Climbing
Cats love to climb and indoor cats love your house, with it’s high shelves, curtains and wardrobes, is a playground for your cat. What he won't take into consideration is that these aren’t designed for being climbed on and may result in said furniture toppling over. Climbing is great exercise for indoor cats and is their natural reaction to stress so provide him with a with a safe place to climb like a hidey hole tree.
Wires
Wires are a great to play with….well, we know they’re not but to your cat it’s something else to playfully paw with. Some indoor cats are inclined to chew through wires, thankfully you can cover them with a temporary sleeve.
Stove tops
Stove tops, particularly those which are flat and blend in as part of the work surfaces, can leave your cat with some very sore paws if he walks across it not long after it’s been turned off. As you know, cats are creatures of habit so discourage him from walking on the kitchen sides before the habit begins to form.
Bins
Uncovered bins are the perfect place for your curious cat to have a rummage. A discarded bit of dental floss in the bathroom bin or a raw chicken bone poking out of the kitchen bin could prove fatal to your cat if ingested. Covering these bins and ensuring that bins are closed or covered will help eliminate this risk.
Plants
Nothing brightens up a room like a vase of fresh flowers or a potted plant but you’d be surprised by how many household plants are fatally toxic to cats so make sure they’re cat friendly before you bring them into your home.
Chemicals
Having cleaning products, gardening products and Rodenticides in the house is pretty unavoidable but they are as dangerous as a cat as they are to humans. Ensure that they are kept out of your cat’s way, securely closed and any spillages are thoroughly cleaned up so your cat doesn’t end up with bleach on its fur.
Cars, trains, dogs, predators, getting lost - these are all risks associated with letting your cat outdoors. The RSPCA highly recommends the use of a secure outdoor enclosure to give your cat safe access to the outdoors. Find out more about enclosures and their benefits here.
