🏠 Cat-Proof Your Home

Room-by-room interactive guide to making your Calgary home safe and fun for your feline friend. Check off hazards as you go!

Your Progress

0 of 48 items checked
🍳 Kitchen ✓
🛋️ Living Room ✓
🛏️ Bedroom ✓
🚿 Bathroom ✓
👕 Laundry ✓
🚗 Garage ✓
🌿 Balcony/Yard ✓
🔧 General ✓

🍳 Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most dangerous rooms for cats, with hot surfaces, toxic foods, and sharp objects within reach.

3 High Risk2 Medium2 Low
Toxic foods secured High
Onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, xylitol sweetener, and caffeine are all highly toxic to cats. Even small amounts can cause serious illness.
Store all toxic foods in closed cabinets. Install child-proof latches on lower cabinets — cats can learn to open them!
Stove/oven protected High
Curious cats can jump onto hot burners or knock pots of boiling liquid. Gas stoves can be accidentally turned on by paws.
Use stove knob covers, back burners when possible, and turn pot handles inward. Consider a stove guard or keep cats out during cooking.
Sharp objects stored safely High
Knives, scissors, skewers and broken glass pose laceration risks. Cats may bat small sharp items off counters.
Keep knives in a block or magnetic strip. Never leave sharp objects on counters. Clean broken glass immediately with damp paper towels.
Cleaning products locked away Medium
Bleach, dish soap, surface cleaners and dishwasher pods are poisonous. Cats may lick residue from freshly cleaned surfaces.
Store cleaners in a latched cabinet. Rinse surfaces after cleaning. Switch to pet-safe cleaning products where possible.
Garbage secured Medium
Garbage contains chicken bones (choking hazard), spoiled food, plastic wrap, and toxic scraps that cats will try to access.
Use a garbage can with a locking lid or keep it inside a latched cabinet. Take garbage out regularly.
Small items cleared from counters Low
Twist ties, rubber bands, foil balls, and small food items can be swallowed, causing intestinal blockages.
Keep counters clear. Store small items in drawers. Be especially careful with string, ribbon, and twist ties — cats love to eat these.
Appliance cords managed Low
Dangling cords from toasters, kettles, and mixers are tempting toys that can pull heavy appliances down on cats.
Wind up excess cord with cord wraps. Push appliances back from counter edges. Unplug when not in use.

🛋️ Living Room

The living room is where cats spend much of their time. Focus on plant safety, window security, and cord management.

2 High Risk3 Medium2 Low
Toxic plants removed High
Lilies (extremely toxic — can cause kidney failure from even small exposure), poinsettias, philodendrons, dieffenbachia, and sago palms are deadly to cats.
Remove all toxic plants or place them in a completely inaccessible room. Safe alternatives: spider plants, Boston ferns, cat grass, African violets, and calathea.
Windows secured High
"High-rise syndrome" is real — cats can fall from open windows, especially while watching birds. Window screens may not hold a determined cat's weight.
Install sturdy window screens or window guards. Never rely on standard insect screens alone. In Calgary condos, ensure balcony doors have secure screens.
Blind cords secured Medium
Dangling blind cords and curtain ties are strangulation hazards. Cats can get tangled while playing.
Switch to cordless blinds, or use cord cleats mounted high on the wall. Tie up excess cord lengths. Consider roller blinds instead.
Electrical cords protected Medium
Kittens and young cats often chew electrical cords, risking electrocution, burns, or house fires.
Use cord covers or cable management channels. Apply bitter apple spray to exposed cords. Route cords behind furniture where possible.
Fireplace/heater guarded Medium
Calgary winters mean fireplaces and space heaters get heavy use. Cats are drawn to warmth and can get burned or knock over heaters.
Use a sturdy fireplace screen. Keep space heaters on stable surfaces with auto-shutoff. Never leave heaters unattended with cats.
Small decor items secured Low
Candles, small figurines, potpourri, and decorative items can be knocked off shelves, broken, or ingested.
Secure breakable items with museum putty. Avoid liquid potpourri (toxic). Switch to LED candles. Store fragile collectibles in display cases.
Recliner/sofa checked Low
Reclining chairs and sofa beds have mechanisms that can trap and injure cats hiding underneath.
Always check under recliners before adjusting them. Consider blocking access to the underside with fabric or foam.

🛏️ Bedroom

Bedrooms contain common choking hazards and items cats love to play with (and swallow).

1 High Risk2 Medium2 Low
Hair ties & small items stored High
Hair ties are the #1 most commonly swallowed foreign object by cats. They can cause life-threatening intestinal blockages requiring surgery.
Store hair ties in a closed container. Same for earrings, buttons, coins, and pins. If your cat steals hair ties, switch to scrunchies they can't swallow.
Medications secured Medium
Many human medications (ibuprofen, acetaminophen, antidepressants) are lethal to cats even in tiny doses. Pills on nightstands are easy targets.
Never leave medication on nightstands. Store in closed medicine cabinets. Pick up any dropped pills immediately.
String/thread/yarn stored Medium
String, yarn, thread, ribbon, and tinsel are "linear foreign bodies" — extremely dangerous if swallowed, as they can saw through intestinal walls.
Keep all string-like items in closed containers. Never let cats play unsupervised with string toys. Store sewing kits in latched boxes.
Essential oils/diffusers removed Low
Many essential oils (tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, citrus, lavender) are toxic to cats. Reed diffusers can be knocked over and ingested.
Avoid diffusing essential oils around cats. If you must use them, do so in a closed room the cat cannot access. Remove reed diffusers entirely.
Dresser/bookshelf anchored Low
Climbing cats can topple unsecured furniture, especially tall bookcases and dressers.
Anchor tall furniture to the wall with anti-tip straps. This also protects against earthquakes.

🚿 Bathroom

Standing water, chemicals, and small spaces make the bathroom a sneaky hazard zone for curious cats.

2 High Risk2 Medium1 Low
Toilet lid kept closed High
Kittens can fall into toilets and drown. Toilet water may contain cleaning chemicals. Cats drinking toilet water can ingest harmful bacteria.
Keep toilet lids closed at all times. Consider a toilet lid lock for persistent cats. Provide fresh water elsewhere.
Medications & supplements locked High
Bathroom medicine cabinets often contain pills, vitamins, and supplements. Cats can bat pill bottles off counters and open them.
Use a latched medicine cabinet. Never leave pills on the counter. Wipe up spilled supplements immediately.
Cleaning products secured Medium
Toilet bowl cleaners, drain openers, and bleach are extremely caustic. Cats may walk through residue and lick their paws.
Store under the sink with a child-proof latch. Rinse tub/floor after cleaning. Keep cats out during and after cleaning until surfaces dry.
Dental floss & razors stored Medium
Dental floss is a linear foreign body hazard just like string. Razors can cause cuts if knocked into the tub or floor.
Keep dental floss in a closed drawer. Store razors in a cabinet. Dispose of floss in a lidded garbage can.
Bathtub/standing water emptied Low
Cats can slip into filled bathtubs, especially kittens. Some cats are fascinated by running water.
Drain the tub immediately after bathing. Don't leave buckets of water unattended. Keep bathroom door closed when tub is full.

👕 Laundry Room

Warm, enclosed spaces attract cats — making washers and dryers potentially deadly traps.

2 High Risk1 Medium1 Low
Always check washer/dryer before use High
Cats climb into warm dryers and cozy washers to nap. Starting the machine without checking is one of the most common causes of accidental cat death in the home.
ALWAYS check inside before starting a load. Keep doors closed when not in use. Make it a habit: check, close, start — every single time.
Laundry products secured High
Laundry pods are extremely toxic and attractive to cats (shiny, squishy). Liquid detergent, bleach, and fabric softener are all poisonous.
Store all laundry products in a closed, high cabinet. Never leave pods in an open container on the floor or shelf.
Ironing station safe Medium
Hot irons can cause severe burns. Ironing board cords dangle temptingly. Cats may jump on the board.
Never leave a hot iron unattended. Store the iron and board when not in use. Iron behind a closed door if possible.
Dryer sheets stored away Low
Used dryer sheets still contain chemicals that can cause mouth ulcers and GI distress if licked or chewed by cats.
Dispose of used dryer sheets in a lidded bin. Store new sheets in a closed container. Consider dryer balls as an alternative.

🚗 Garage

Garages contain some of the most lethal substances in the home. Restrict access whenever possible.

3 High Risk1 Medium1 Low
Antifreeze inaccessible High
Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) tastes sweet but is extremely lethal to cats — just one teaspoon can be fatal. Common in Calgary garages during winter.
Switch to propylene glycol-based antifreeze (less toxic). Store on high shelves in sealed containers. Clean up any spills IMMEDIATELY.
Rodent poison removed High
Rat and mouse poisons are equally lethal to cats, whether ingested directly or by eating a poisoned rodent (secondary poisoning).
Never use rodenticides in a home with cats. Use snap traps in enclosed bait stations instead. Consider ultrasonic deterrents.
Chemicals on high shelves High
Gasoline, paint, solvents, herbicides, pesticides, and motor oil are all toxic. Calgary de-icing products (salt, calcium chloride) irritate paws.
Store all chemicals on high, secure shelving or in a locked cabinet. Wipe cat's paws if they've walked through de-icer or salt.
Tools secured Medium
Sharp tools, nails, screws, and wire can cause punctures and cuts. Small hardware can be swallowed.
Hang tools on a wall-mounted pegboard. Keep small hardware in closed containers. Sweep up metal shavings immediately.
Garage door safety Low
Automatic garage doors can close on a cat passing through. Cats may also slip outside unnoticed when the door opens.
Ensure auto-reverse sensor works properly. Check for cats before closing. Consider restricting garage access entirely.

🌿 Balcony & Yard

Calgary's outdoor environment brings unique risks including wildlife, extreme cold, and toxic plants.

2 High Risk2 Medium2 Low
Balcony secured with netting High
Cats can and do fall from balconies, even high-floor condos. "High-rise syndrome" is a leading cause of cat injury in urban areas.
Install cat-safe balcony netting or screening. Never leave a cat unsupervised on an unenclosed balcony. Consider a catio enclosure.
Toxic garden plants identified High
Lilies, tulips, daffodils, azaleas, and chrysanthemums are all common Calgary garden plants that are toxic to cats.
Check all garden plants against ASPCA's toxic plant database. Replace with cat-safe alternatives: catnip, cat thyme, marigolds, sunflowers.
Lawn chemicals avoided Medium
Herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers can be absorbed through paw pads or ingested during grooming. Calgary's chinook winds can spread chemical residue.
Use pet-safe lawn care products. Keep cats inside for 24-48 hours after lawn treatment. Rinse paws after outdoor time.
Wildlife considerations Medium
Calgary has coyotes, birds of prey, and porcupines that pose real threats to outdoor cats. Coyote sightings are common even in urban neighbourhoods.
Keep cats indoors or in an enclosed catio. If outdoor, supervise at all times. Never leave cats out at dawn/dusk when predators are active.
Fence gaps checked Low
Cats can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps (if their head fits, their body fits). They can also climb most fences.
Install cat-proof fence toppers (roller bars or angled netting). Seal gaps at the base. A catio is the safest outdoor option.
Cold weather plan Low
Calgary temperatures can drop to -30°C in winter. Frostbite can occur on ears, paws, and tails within minutes of exposure.
Limit outdoor time in winter. Provide a warm, insulated shelter if cats have outdoor access. Wipe paws after walks to remove salt and de-icer.

🔧 General Home Safety

These hazards apply throughout your entire home and are easy to overlook.

2 High Risk2 Medium2 Low
Emergency vet number posted High
In an emergency, every second counts. Having your vet's number and the nearest 24-hour emergency clinic info readily available can save your cat's life.
Save Calgary emergency vet numbers in your phone: Calgary Animal Referral & Emergency Centre (403-520-7387). Post on fridge. See our Emergency Guide.
Microchip & license current High
Calgary bylaw requires all cats to be licensed and microchipped. If your cat escapes, a microchip is the best way to be reunited.
Ensure microchip info is up to date with your current address and phone number. Renew your Calgary cat license annually.
Plastic bags stored safely Medium
Cats can suffocate in plastic bags or get handles looped around their neck, causing panic and strangulation.
Tie knots in bag handles before storing. Keep bags in a closed cabinet or dedicated bag holder. Cut loops on any bags left out.
Houseplants verified safe Medium
Over 700 plants are toxic to cats. Even "mildly toxic" plants can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling.
Check every plant against the ASPCA database. When in doubt, remove it. Offer cat grass as a safe alternative for cats who like to chew greens.
Hiding spots checked Low
Cats hide in washing machines, dryers, suitcases, boxes, and closets. They can get accidentally locked in or transported.
Do a "cat count" before closing doors, running appliances, or leaving. Know your cat's favourite hiding spots.
Visitor/contractor awareness Low
Open doors during deliveries, renovations, or parties give cats escape opportunities. Visitors may leave out dangerous items.
Inform visitors about the cat. Secure cats in a safe room during contractor visits. Post a "cat lives here" note on the front door.

🏔️ Calgary-Specific Considerations

Living in Calgary brings unique challenges for cat safety due to our climate, wildlife, and local bylaws.

🎒 Cat Emergency Kit Essentials

Keep these items easily accessible in case of a cat emergency or evacuation:

Documents

Vaccination records, vet info, recent photo, microchip number, and Calgary pet license number.

Food & Water

3-day supply of cat food, bottled water, food bowls, can opener, and any medications.

Transport

Sturdy carrier (one per cat), harness and leash, towel or blanket for warmth.

First Aid

Gauze, vet wrap, hydrogen peroxide (vet direction only), styptic powder, and your vet's phone number.