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Hey, GAF. I know there's a lot of cat owners/lovers here, so I'm looking for a little advice. I recently adopted a kitten who just turned four months at the end of April. He's super snuggly and playful, but he's a weird mix of stuff, and right now his limbs are too long for his body so he's uncoordinated and clumsy af. Seriously, I've watched this cat fall off of things while sitting still.

Tonight, he scared the holy hell out of me. He was playing with one of his little mouse toys, flung it up onto the coffee table, launched himself after it, missed, and slammed into the edge of the table full force. I started panicking, because a buddy of mine's cat was killed earlier this year due to blunt-force trauma to his midsection (poor little guy got kicked during a burglary of their home -- super sad story). Almost immediately thereafter, I found him hiding under the bed, which is something he never, ever does, so panic alarms are going off in my head and I'm wondering if I have to rush this cat to the hospital.

Nope. He's fine. A few minutes later, he was back to stretching and running and rolling around and jumping on things and otherwise being the menace that I know him to be. At best, he just freaked himself out. At worst, he's a little sore. But he's fine.

It scared the absolute shit out of me, though, and now I'm too amped up to sleep. All I can think about is "oh god what if he pulls this shit while me and my roommate are at work and actually hurts himself while nobody's around?" Wondering if any cat owners have tips on kitty and idiot-proofing their homes. This is the first time I've ever owned a kitten so young; my two other cats had already been adults by the time I adopted them.

And since I know what GAF likes, here's some pics of my kitty. His name is Daigo, named after Dojima Daigo from the Yakuza series. I feel no shame in this.

 

[lil puff]

Yeah, I kinda know the feeling, but we have never had a kitten that young.

I've always wanted a young kitten, but I have the same reservations. There are lots of nooks and crannies to hide and tons of loose objects on reachable tables.

I've had small cats that we have taken in that were not used to domestic living, and they would hide under things at first, but eventually they learn how to acclimate. Make sure you take some time everyday to play with them and let them get that energy out of their system. We did learn that the hard way.

 

[RokkanStoned]

Step 1: Don't get a cat.
Step 2: Keep your doors and windows closed.
Step 3: Profit.



I remember the only thing I "proofed" was making sure the toilet cover was always down or the door to the toilet closed.. Other than that I took juice from lemons and rubbed on all my cords, after having a few cords bitten through.

 

[Autoignition]

Yeah, I kinda know the feeling, but we have never had a kitten that young.

I've always wanted a young kitten, but I have the same reservations. There are lots of nooks and crannies to hide and tons of loose objects on reachable tables.

I've had small cats that we have taken in that were not used to domestic living, and they would hide under things at first, but eventually they learn how to acclimate. Make sure you take some time everyday to play with them and let them get that energy out of their system. We did learn that the hard way.

Yeah, we both play with him every day when we come home from work. The problem is that he hasn't yet developed any sense of self-preservation, which is dangerous on top of his clumsiness. I'm glad that he feels safe and confident in my home, but boy he makes me nervous.

I remember the only thing I "proofed" was making sure the toilet cover was always down or the door to the toilet closed.. Other than that I took juice from lemons and rubbed on all my cords, after having a few cords bitten through.

Lemon juice! That's a great idea. He kept playing with the wires around my rig -- not chewing through them, but playing with them enough that he's unplugged my monitor and yanked my mouse off of my desk when I wasn't looking. I put aluminum foil down in order to try to deter him, but he just added that to his game. I'll try the lemon juice and see how that goes.

 

[WaterAstro]

I volunteer for a kitten rescue, and you should definitely screen all windows that you will open. They can even get through the smallest, unreachable opening, especially a kitten, because their body is a lost smaller than it looks, so they can squeeze through small cracks. Don't use regular mosquito screens. You need stronger pet screens like this: https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.36-inch-x-84-inch-petscreen.1000415092.html It's thicker, scratch proof, and can hold their weight if a cat tries to push through. The worst thing that can happen is if your kitten escapes. If a cat is allowed to go outside, the average lifespan of such a cat is 10 years shorter than an indoor only cat.

We don't adopted single kittens out because single kittens are unable to grow safe, playful behaviour because they don't have playmates to practice that with. We always adopt two kittens out together to ensure better behaviour. There are cases where we adopt single kittens out, and that is if there is another pet buddy, a cat or a dog, or the person is home most of the time. If you work 9-5 or are out for that many hours, you should consider a second kitten if your financial situation allows it. There is a bad assumption that cats are okay alone, but they are definitely not. Having a buddy will ensure that they will grow with better playing behaviour. If you can't get a second cat, do what you can to play with your kitten as much as possible while your kitten is still young.

This youtube channel is one of the best for behaviour training. We recommend this to adopters all the time:

 

[RokkanStoned]

If you work 9-5 or are out for that many hours, you should consider a second kitten if your financial situation allows it. There is a bad assumption that cats are okay alone, but they are definitely not. Having a buddy will ensure that they will grow with better playing behaviour. If you can't get a second cat, do what you can to play with your kitten as much as possible while your kitten is still young.

Second cat is recommended. Not necessarily at once, if you've got time, but at least not waiting too long either. Got a kitten at first and then some time later another kitten (after about half a year or a year), and they grew up to be pretty close. Then got another adult cat later and it did not fit in at all and had to eventually give it away to someone else, as it did not fit in with my two previous cats. I assume the problem was mostly it not being a kitten.

 

[Mohonky]

Big mistake.

It'll turn into a Cat.

 

[WaterAstro]

Second cat is recommended. Not necessarily at once, if you've got time, but at least not waiting too long either. Got a kitten at first and then some time later another kitten (after about half a year or a year), and they grew up to be pretty close. Then got another adult cat later and it did not fit in at all and had to eventually give it away to someone else, as it did not fit in with my two previous cats. I assume the problem was mostly it not being a kitten.

Yeah, adults generally find kittens annoying because kittens are full of energy and super playful while adults just want to sit down and bask in the sun. Also, you have to introduce new cats very slowly. It could take a couple of weeks of slow introduction and separation. This is a good guide from the same youtuber:



There's also the problem that if you have two female cats that aren't bonded, at the age of two, a female cat becomes super defensive against other female cats, even if they had been together as friends. This won't happen if they are siblings or bonded kittens, but it will happen if they have age differences.

 

[lil puff]

Yeah, we both play with him every day when we come home from work. The problem is that he hasn't yet developed any sense of self-preservation, which is dangerous on top of his clumsiness. I'm glad that he feels safe and confident in my home, but boy he makes me nervous.



Lemon juice! That's a great idea. He kept playing with the wires around my rig -- not chewing through them, but playing with them enough that he's unplugged my monitor and yanked my mouse off of my desk when I wasn't looking. I put aluminum foil down in order to try to deter him, but he just added that to his game. I'll try the lemon juice and see how that goes.

I have never heard about the Lemon Juice one either. I wish I had known that!

It sounds like you have a frisky, smart kitten though! It will be naturally nerve wrecking for a bit, but I'm sure it will get better after time.

 

[Phoenix RISING]

I would like to adopt a black cat one day and name him Ganondorf or her Azula.

But I have an Alaskan Malamute, and I'm not sure how he would adjust.

 

[Ray Wonder]

I honestly don't do anything different to cat proof the house. They just exist in the space, and every few months to a year, they knock something down. It's the price of owning a cat

 

[lil puff]

It's just a bit scary for very tiny kittens the size of a large mouse, just thinking of all the places they can squeeze into.

Once it's a cat, no real catproofing, just some common sense things like getting it some toys and things to scratch.

 

[RokkanStoned]

It's just a bit scary for very tiny kittens the size of a large mouse, just thinking of all the places they can squeeze into.

Once it's a cat, no real catproofing, just some common sense things like getting it some toys and things to scratch.

My wife mostly made sure we'd be careful in regards the toilet, as falling into the bowl could easily drown a kitten. I guess height might be an issue depending on where/how you live. Ensuring they won't try to bite through wires is also something that's important in regards to both your electronics, the safety of the kitten/cat and the safety of your home.
I've never considered them "getting squeezed", wouldn't that require something movable?

 

[Autoignition]

I volunteer for a kitten rescue, and you should definitely screen all windows that you will open. They can even get through the smallest, unreachable opening, especially a kitten, because their body is a lost smaller than it looks, so they can squeeze through small cracks. Don't use regular mosquito screens. You need stronger pet screens like this: https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.36-inch-x-84-inch-petscreen.1000415092.html It's thicker, scratch proof, and can hold their weight if a cat tries to push through. The worst thing that can happen is if your kitten escapes. If a cat is allowed to go outside, the average lifespan of such a cat is 10 years shorter than an indoor only cat.

We don't adopted single kittens out because single kittens are unable to grow safe, playful behaviour because they don't have playmates to practice that with. We always adopt two kittens out together to ensure better behaviour. There are cases where we adopt single kittens out, and that is if there is another pet buddy, a cat or a dog, or the person is home most of the time. If you work 9-5 or are out for that many hours, you should consider a second kitten if your financial situation allows it. There is a bad assumption that cats are okay alone, but they are definitely not. Having a buddy will ensure that they will grow with better playing behaviour. If you can't get a second cat, do what you can to play with your kitten as much as possible while your kitten is still young.

This youtube channel is one of the best for behaviour training. We recommend this to adopters all the time:

I wouldn't be able to afford a second cat right now, but he has pet buddies that come over and visit. Before I adopted him, he was being fostered by a friend of mine, so she brings her dog over once a week so they can play (and we can hang out and drink and watch movies).

Thankfully, my roommate and I have a work schedule wherein the kitten is only alone for about four hours during the day. I forget the word for it. She goes into work later than me, and I come home earlier than she does. So he definitely gets a lot of attention.

That YT channel might be just what I need, though. Thanks for the resource!

 

[lil puff]

My wife mostly made sure we'd be careful in regards the toilet, as falling into the bowl could easily drown a kitten. I guess height might be an issue depending on where/how you live. Ensuring they won't try to bite through wires is also something that's important in regards to both your electronics, the safety of the kitten/cat and the safety of your home.
I've never considered them "getting squeezed", wouldn't that require something movable?

I mean like, just getting to small areas, without me knowing they are even there.

Like maybe a bookshelf, or under the bed, behind the stove (gas line), and we have boxes in one of the rooms where there are millions of places to get stuck. More often then not, I'm sure they'd be fine, but nonetheless, I understand being a bit nervous about it at first, coming home and not knowing where they are!

I also live in a NYC apt and I wouldn't want it to start scavenging for mice or things.

 

[Codes 208]

-Keep the toilet seat down. Theyre cats they dont know better.
-keep cords well secured and where the kitty cant get them. Though at a certain point, especially if they have enough toys, they wont care
-keep their food in an open area with multiple escapes, cats are easily startled by sudden changes or when caught with their defense down
-keep shit off the table. They will likely be knocked down at some point. Same goes for counters or other easy to reach spots
-Contrary to popular belief, cats are social creatures. Make sure to keep them entertained with toys or cuddles because a bored cat is a sad cat.
-Be prepared to hear a song about their people at night.
-Dont rub their belly. Them showing you their belly is a sign of affection, not "pet here please!" Theyre not dogs.
-Even though hes a shorthair, he will still need grooming here and there to prevent hairballs. And yes, its usually best to bathe a cat every other month or so. Especially if theyre losing a lot of fur during a season change.
-Never, for the love of fuck EVER keep out plants like lilies or tulips. The pollen alone can be digested as they brush against it and bathe themselves and could permanently damage the cat's kidneys...if they survive at all. Seriously, that shit is super toxic.
-Dont feed cats scraps from meals, ham is pretty bad for cats for example and chocolate is downright poisonous
-Make sure hes neutered. A unneutered adult male cat will become highly territorial and will frequently try to escape and are more inquistive about things they shouldnt be getting into.
-Dont. Ever. Declaw. Your. Cat. This cant be stressed enough, people think this is just removing the nails, but with a cat thats not possible, by removing the nail they also remove a portion of their joints. It would be like removing the full first digit of your fingers. If your cat is sharpening his claws on things, buy several scratching posts or a cat tower and make sure to trim his nails frequently, about once a week or so.

 

[Solomeena]

HAHAHAAHHAHAHA, Cat proofing!!!! BAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!! Good one op!!!!! Fuckers will find a way, trust me. Among my cats i have one that can open any door. I have one that can reach any height in my home, so nothing is out of reach. All of them use everything for scratching posts despite having scratching posts. I have a blind cat that can and literally will chase any one of the other cats all around my home including on different level surfaces despite being blind. Cats are just not able to be proofed against anything BUT i still love them to pieces.

 

[Shifty]

He's adorable, OP.

My suggestion would be to plug any small human-inaccessible holes that he could crawl into to hide, like gaps behind bookcases, washing machines, etc.

It will save you a whole lot of stress if he decides to go and hide because things are getting too much- our cat did that on the first day we got her, and we were running around like headless paranoid chickens thinking that she'd gotten out of the house somehow. Turns out she'd managed to wriggle her way through a gap in the kitchen skirting board, and was hiding in the inaccessible space under the sink. We ended up having to take the front boards off, tempt her out with treats, and then seal it up as thoroughly as possible.

That's not to say that the cat should be denied a hiding place though- they need somewhere to slink off and decompress when stressed, but it should be a safe place that you can check to make sure everything's okay.

 

[RokkanStoned]

-Dont rub their belly. Them showing you their belly is a sign of affection, not "pet here please!" Theyre not dogs.

What? My ragdoll was in heaven whenever I rubbed her belly. Have I been doing something wrong? Or do you mean forcibly? I'm confused.

Anyways, great list of advice.

 

[Catphish]

Honestly, cats are pretty durable. I've had them my whole life, and have seen them do some pretty dumb shit, but none of them ever harmed themselves to the point of trauma. A lot of times, once they do something stupid and bang themselves up, they tend to learn from it and either figure it out, or stop doing it altogether.

In my opinion, if he's an indoor cat, all you need to do is make sure there's nothing laying around that could make him sick if he eats it, and he'll be fine.

I once had a cat sail out of a 3rd-story window, riding the screen like a magic fucking carpet, hit the ground, and scamper away unscathed. Worry not. The little bastards are nigh indestructible.

Edit: I second the advice to get a second cat. They are very sociable animals and I think it almost cruel to not give them a feline sibling. Their lives will improve many times over with another cat to clean, play, and bond with.

 

[Codes 208]

What? My ragdoll was in heaven whenever I rubbed her belly. Have I been doing something wrong? Or do you mean forcibly? I'm confused.

Anyways, great list of advice.

Ragdolls and (to a lesser extent) siamese cats are kind of exceptions to the rule. Theyre both more like dogs than cats due to how affectionate they can be. My siamese cat Jaeger also loves belly rubs. But my shorthair tuxedo cat named domino goes into attack mode each time

 

[Codes 208]

Another thing is by qll means keep him indoors. Outdoor cats (even those who are 50/50) generally have a much shorter lifespan due to the dangers thqt the outdoors can bring. Cats are not apex predators. Theyre likely to hide under cars or other dangerous objects and a good portion of outdoor cats are hit by cars each year.

On top that, this also brings with it potential fights with other cats or eating a bird/mouse thats loaded with parasites. Or ticks or other parasites.