Ideas on how to kitten proof a house?!

[karenjet]

It's amazing the things they get into, isn't it?
I went into panic mode last night when I realised I hadn't seen Daisy for an hour or two. After looking every place I thought she could possibly be, I pulled out my sock drawer and she was tucked up fast asleep in there. There's a space underneath to put shoes and she must've gone up the back of the drawer.

[Kittybabe (Ruth)]

I've been using it for ayear twice a day, and vet is ok with it (I checked). As its all plant based I would "assume" its ok but would be interested to read anything they send you.

[Millys Mum]

Thanks Ruth 
I was thinking more of longterm use causing problems, like Dettol, its trace residues building up in the cats body that slowly gets them.
Il email them to find out and report back when i hear

[Kittybabe (Ruth)]

MM I use Ecover spray to clean Lexy's place mat for her food and the floor around her (since she's a messy eater) and she gets on ok with it.

[Millys Mum]

Does anyone know if ecover products are cat safe? I always rinse well/dry after using but would be interested to know 

[Tiggy's Mum]

I emailed Dettol the other day about this as the boys are getting bigger now and it won't be long before they can jump high enough to get on the worksurfaces.  Here's the reply I got:

"Thank you for your email regarding Dettol Antibacterial Surface Cleanser

This product is safe to use around pets as long as the surface is completely
dry before before the animal is allowed to walk on it.

Kind Regards
Dettol"

[Cheesecat]

I would be tempted to ring Dettols customer care and ask them 

I just wanted to say thanks to Helen for recommending the dettol spray as i havent been able to spot one without the pets warning.

I went to ASDA last night and looked at a couple of the Dettol sprays, one of the surface cleaners had the pets warning but the 3 in one cleaner doesnt have the warning, so I assume it is okay? (they seem to have to warn if its harmful dont they?) I bought it anyway  although i'd be interested what the customer care line said 

[Liza]

Forgot about the banisters.........I also used cardboard - I taped it to the wood so they couldn't move it

[Susieh]

I've used cardboard at the top of the stairs because in my old house the bannister has big gaps in it and foster kittens lived in my bedroom upstairs so I couldn't bear the thought of them falling through.  They were only allowed to get outside the room when I was there anyway, but just in case.  I have a door on the kitchen which is left open all day but the cats are locked out at night and unless it is their food time, they don't really bother coming in.  They have learnt that hanging around gets them nothing although occasionally one will try their luck

None of mine bothered with wires when they were kittens. Even Freddy, officially the naughtiest kitten ever, didn't chew them.  He did shred curtains, window blinds, pooed in plant pots, learnt how to use the catflap aged 11 weeks, learnt how to open the catfood cupboard and open pouches, knocked and smashed countless things from every surface imaginable and generally learnt how to be top cat over my other 2 within days. 

He has calmed down somewhat since then though, although if something crashes in another room - I know which cat is to blame 

I found having Maddy & Paddy as kittens together so much easier because they spent so much time playflighting and chasing that things like wires, curtains, ornaments and counter tops took a much lower priority.

[Liza]

My little monkeys found a way to squeeze down the side of the washing machine (a tiny gap!) and then sit at the back of it and meow at me for help... I reckon just use some wodges of material or bits of foam or something to block up any gaps like that up.

I used rolled up tea towels down the side of the fridge/freezer to keep curious kits out

[Dawn F]

Tilly didn't bother with wires either, in fact she was pretty good all round, she did try and get into the dishwasher once but that was about it!  Good point about noises - Tilly hates the hoover - doesn't say much for my domestic godess skills!!

[Beccles]

Helen I also reckon the wires will probably be OK but if you're worried, get a good long length of wide material - bandage or something - in a neutral colour and just bandage the whole lot up in a bundle. Either that or make it a sleeping-bag - square of material with some kind of fastener down one side to make a roll and a draw-string at each end that you can pull tight and tie to kitten-proof the lot in one go.

My little monkeys found a way to squeeze down the side of the washing machine (a tiny gap!) and then sit at the back of it and meow at me for help... I reckon just use some wodges of material or bits of foam or something to block up any gaps like that up.

[Ellie]

Hi Helen

I shall be adopting Widget at the same time as you get your two wee bundles 

With Rascal I had a dog crate in the lounge which I converted in to a kitten pen. Rascal was allowed out when we were there but when we were out I knew she was safe. Also at night I didn't have the worry of her sneaking in to places I had forgot to block off 

Also it got her used to all the noises, i.e. hoover, tv, washing machine, my daughter's friends lol etc, in the safety of her own wee house 

Can't wait to hear all about the new arrivals and see all their pics 

We should start a new Mum's Thread 

[Kittybabe (Ruth)]

Hee hee. Made you look!

[Tiggy's Mum]

Yeah, good point...  I think i'll give them a call tomorrow.  Anyway, I have to be in work for 7am  so really need to get off here and into bed!

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Just because something is safe for babies it doesnt necesarily make it safe for cats ie c h o c o l a t e .

I would be tempted to ring Dettols customer care and ask them 

[Tiggy's Mum]

Sadly lists of ingredients do not tell the whole story said a pharmicist from Boots when asking about things in bath stuff. I have probs with my skin.

I think it better to read the info the product maker puts on label and some dettols have safe for pet on. Unless it says this I would assume that it is not safe.

I see what you're saying Gill and I would never want to endanger my new furry babies but this particular product is advertised as being compltely safe for babies to eat off the surfaces after it has been used.  When Mark read the packaging before it said not safe for pets but now it doesn't mention them apart from the obligatory 'Keep out of reach of children and pets'.

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Sadly lists of ingredients do not tell the whole story said a pharmicist from Boots when asking about things in bath stuff. I have probs with my skin.

I think it better to read the info the product maker puts on label and some dettols have safe for pet on. Unless it says this I would assume that it is not safe.

[Tiggy's Mum]

Thanks everyone for all your tips, apart from KB who has scuppered all the good ideas with safety advice - safety schmafety 

Just checked the Dettol ingredients at this website  http://www.rbeuroinfo.com/  Anyone with a degree in chemistry to analyse the results (I'm ashamed to say I actually did A level chemistry but it means nothing to me  )  Are the ingredients good / bad / indifferent?

    
Dettol
      
Dettol Anti-Bacterial Surface Cleanser, Trigger
Date Information Posted:    08-10-2005

The list below displays the product ingredients in descending order, with those containing the highest quantities appearing first.

Note: This is the latest formulation present on the market. It may not exactly match the product label. If your require further information or, if the information does not correspond with the product you bought, please contact our Consumer Services hotline found on the back label of your product.

Ingredients:

Aqua

C12-14 Sec-Pareth-X

Decyl Glucoside

Benzalkonium Chloride

Sodium Bicarbonate

Parfum

Sodium Carbonate

Tetrasodium EDTA

[Kittybabe (Ruth)]

Now having imparted my sage (  ) advice...how the bloomin heck am I going to kitten proof my house against Stella? Please tell me, a Bengly!!!

Woah - hold it right there!  Lets rewind a bit.  You're getting a new kitten?  A bengal?  Teresa's Estelle?  If so, why don't I know?!  Cmon - spill the beans missus and tell all!

Hee hee, I won't hijack this thread so have a look here:

http://www.chaptanservices.com/purrs/index.php?topic=3065.0

Sorry Helen. hee hee!

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

Now having imparted my sage (  ) advice...how the bloomin heck am I going to kitten proof my house against Stella? Please tell me, a Bengly!!!

Woah - hold it right there!  Lets rewind a bit.  You're getting a new kitten?  A bengal?  Teresa's Estelle?  If so, why don't I know?!  Cmon - spill the beans missus and tell all!

[CurlyCatz]

MMm yes ruth like permies evidently you will have your hands full..i suppose i am lucky having been at home to supervise.  Alot of it with cody has been "discipline" and he's slowly getting the message on some respects so it does get abit better.

oh and watch yer lcd helen as cody likes to balance on top of them pretending to wind surf i think 

[Kittybabe (Ruth)]

Well as the potential new mum of a 6month old kitten I think I need to heed these. However, my job and background can help here a bit.

Cable Tidies: they only overheat if too tightly packed. If wires can still move freely inside the tidy after you close it, then they are ok. Also make sure wires are not frayed, or damaged in any way. Scarts are too thick for them to chew through, so don't worry about those. You are more at risk of fire with wires that are tangled than if they are in a loose tidy.

Spraying anything on cables. Some of the liquids mentioned may corrode through the plastic/rubber dependent on the amount you use. So best bet, don't put anything on them.

However, if in doubt, don't use cable tidies.  There are pretty decorative fire guards around now, maybe buy a couple and put one on each side..that will keep them out of it for a bit.

Don't cover wires with anything at all that is flammable, like fabric or even cardboard. I've seen horrific pictures in my training of the worst fires caused by things like this usually domestic fires.

Good advice about fire guard around the fire place, I swear by mine! 

Lexy can get under the kitchen cupboards...there is a TINY access point but she squeezes through that. If your cats go missing, pull back the kick boards..you're bound to find one of them there.

Dettol: I have all the sprays, but only use them on countertops as Lexy can't get up there. I use Ecover Spray for other areas. Dettol is still made with Phenol from what I last read. If they've changed it, which I hope they have, I will be one happy bunny.

Now having imparted my sage (  ) advice...how the bloomin heck am I going to kitten proof my house against Stella? Please tell me, a Bengly!!!

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

does tobasco sauce not stink ??

Only if you pour the whole bottle on the cables!

Mosi loves foil.  He eats it given the chance.  I only found that out when he vomited up some foil so now no foil around Mosi (except tightly scrunched up balls which he doesn't attempt to eat).

[Littlebobo]

Foil will stop them soiling as they dont like the feel of it or the noise i think ..but lots of simple solution in case as well ..

As for the Dettol wipes i had heard that although mine are not really bothered ..saying that i let them get away with all sorts they own the house lol !!

[Lisa]

Any up-to date piccies of the gorgeous two-some Helen? 

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I never had a kitten but learnt that adult Kocka when I mentioned vets could get into extraodinary small places and I couldnt find her more than once.

Look for any gap thats is bigger than an inch! block it up so they cant squeeze through , into, under 

My cats have never bothered with my trailing wires and they all go on one end of working top.

I am sure they are gonna be wonderful and you will have so much fun, sleeplesss nights and great pictures 

[CurlyCatz]

does tobasco sauce not stink ??

speaking of house hold ingredients, my aunt said she used cymen (sp?) pepper on the carpet where one of her cats went to pee..she said he never did it again 

[Ann Clarke (Tabby cat)]

Agree with all the hints so far but be aware that just when you think you have hidden anything they could get into mischief with they will find something else that you have forgotten about. On Monday night Hobbes went on the windowsill in the living room and then jumped down with something in his mouth. I went to take it off him and found a drawing pin! Couldn't work out where he had got it from but on further investigation I found a china trinket box that I'd obviously put some bits in at one point and the little menace had knocked the lid off and taken one of the drawing pins out. I'd also found an old brooch on the floor when I got in from work which must have come from the same place. I was paranoid and watching him for the rest of the night in case he had swallowed anything! Just make sure things aren't left dangling and they aren't easy for them to get to.

Hobbes has been really good and not bothered with wires etc, he does go on the worktops but has avoided the cooker since I shouted a loud no at him when he tried it. I use an anti bacterial cleaner from Marks and Spencer, it's really good and is made of entirely natural stuff so nothing to upset either animal or human tummies. It has a lovely smell too and it's not that expensive - £1.99 for a biggish spray bottle and it lasts ages. I do often come down to find he has opened my curtains for me cos he's been swinging on them    and he has this habit of just hurling himself off things and he can jump very long distances - heart in mouth time!!

All in all though you just have to have eyes in the back of your head 

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

Another thing I used was tabasco sauce - just 'paint' it on the cables.  If they chew that they'll get more than they bargained for    I also put paprika in plant pots, although over the years I've just not bothered with plants (not really got green fingers) except for cat grass.

Use blu tak to hold down ornaments (or just get ones that don't break) and make sure your curtains/blinds are securely fastened  Oh it's all coming back to me!  I must say that Jaffa and Magpie were very good and just spent their kitten days chasing each other around.  Some accidental damage but they weren't really naughty.  Mosi on the other hand... well, he still swings from the curtains 

I think I've used dettol wipes in the past - don't recall whether they said anything about pets.  Tbh I just don't bother much now.   I let them go onto the work tops as I don't put food directly on them and my chopping boards are stored sideways so safe from feline intervention. 

[Mark]

, I still worry now that they're going to walk on them whilst the rings are hot so I cover them with saucepan lids.  I also turn the extractor fan on high - they hate it and always run away hehe.  Remember to keep walldrobe doors shut - another favourite place to cause mayhem

Great idea. Willow is always running across the hobs - I have tried upside-down dinner plates too 

[Mark]

I have got some virkon tabs so I'll try that  

If you use a lot is disinfectant, they work out really cheap. 50 tablets was about £11.00 and each tab let makes up 500ml of solution - it has to be used up in 5 days or so - it fades to let you know when it is unusable.

[Liza]

When I got the girls I didn't worry about the wires behind the tv and to be honest they never showed any interest in chewing them, they just like to climb through the shelves were the DVD player and sky box sit (they still do).  The worst place they go to was under the kitchen units (behind the kick boards) we've got a whole wear we're going to put a dishwasher (still waiting for father in law to buy it).  Now the bin lives in the whole - but the girls now use it as their bolt whole and still go under the units even now.  We remembered to bloke the side of the fridge and washing machine.  I know what you mean about Gas hobs, I still worry now that they're going to walk on them whilst the rings are hot so I cover them with saucepan lids.  I also turn the extractor fan on high - they hate it and always run away hehe.  Remember to keep walldrobe doors shut - another favourite place to cause mayhem

[Sabrina (Auferstehen)]

I never thought to look at the back of the dettol bottle, I'll have to go back to vinagar & water (I'm allergic to most cleaners anyway).

Anything breakable or that comes apart move it upwards or box it up. Friend of ours just got two kittens and they've figured out how to climb a 7 foot tall book case and knocked a glass vase off the top.

They also figured out how to get into drawers & doors (including the fridge).

Also warn anyone who may come over, my in laws almost lost our Lirael a few times by not paying attention when they opened the door as they were not used to cats.

[Team Svartalfheims]

You could always use Virkon or F10 to wash floors, worktops etc otherwise.

[Mark]

Maybe Dettol have changed the formulation?

It was the clear one - I stopped using it because of the warning and because willow always jumps up when I am cleaning. I checked the Tesco one only yesterday and it has the warning still.

Great if Dettol is OK to use now as I never know what to use. I was using kitchen cleaner with bleach but willow can't get to it fast enough so stopped.
Curious now

[CurlyCatz]

i never thought about repellant spray or nail bite stuff..good idea.

as for disenfectants...ive never worried about what i use and never ever have a problem with me cats regardless if its flash excel , zoflora, bleach, dettol etc etc of course they are always diluted but i use that newish dettol stuff to wash my kitchen floor and its fine (doesnt go cloudy tho

littlebobo, cody isnt as bad as that but he does get around shall we say 

[Littlebobo]

Crikey i must be unfortunate i have had smashed pictures, wires chewed, mats weed on lol ..

Saying that i would not change my gorgeous little monkeys for the world

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[Tiggy's Mum]

Helen,

I stopped using dettol antibacterial spray as it says on the back to make sure animals don't walk on it - especially cats  - I checked the Tesco version and it says the same. I now use bleach but rinse it afterwards and then dry it with paper towel to be on the safe side. Willow gets into everything so I have to make sure I don't leave the oven open. Same goes for the dishwasher, washing machine etc etc 

Thanks Mark, I just checked on the back of mine and it doesn't say anything about pets.  The one I use is  'Dettol Anti-bacterial surface cleanser' doesn't mention pets on the back, it says it is safe to use on a baby's highchair and that there is no need to rinse 'Leaves no smell or taint and is safe to use where food is prepared'.  It's the one where in the advert she cleans the highchair try and then the baby eats from the tray.  Do you think it's the same one?  Bit worried now.

[Littlebobo]

Ohhhhh ....well mine used to and still do love to go behind the cabinet and chew the wires ..i ended up buying some plasctic tubes and feeding them through the wires so they could not chew at them.

You will also probably be wise to invest in some wall scratches mine developed a real love of scratching walls ...?

Yep gas hobs is another one i bought some worktop savers and put them on top but a tea towel could be just as good !...

Make sure that they can hide though ..( i am sure that you know that) ..

Errrrm you would think that i would be able to think of more things considering that i have had over 6 kittens in the last so many years !!!

Feel free to email me if you need any more help i'll try my best..

So excited for you