How to Kitten-Proof Your Home

Kittens are impossibly cute and surprisingly destructive. They climb everything, chew anything, and fit into spaces you didn't know existed. A little preparation saves your cables, your plants, and your sanity.

Start at kitten height. Tuck away electrical cords, remove small objects that can be swallowed, and lock away cleaning supplies. Check for gaps behind appliances and furniture — a kitten will find them. Many common houseplants are toxic to cats, so move lilies, pothos, and similar plants out of reach or out of the house.

Give your kitten legal things to destroy. A sturdy scratching post placed near the furniture it's eyeing saves your couch, and a few interactive toys burn off the 3 a.m. zoomies.

Close toilet lids, keep window screens secure, and store thread, string, and hair ties where kittens can't swallow them.

Quick Q&A

Which houseplants are toxic to cats? Lilies are the worst, but pothos, philodendron, and aloe are also unsafe.

Do I need to kitten-proof if I have no plants? Yes — cords, string, and small objects are the bigger everyday hazards.

How long does kitten-proofing matter? The most intense window is roughly four to eight months, when kittens are boldest.