Cat proofing your home combines two distinct types of protection: ongoing environmental setup (securing windows, cords, appliance gaps, household chemicals, and open flames) and before-every-use operating checks (looking inside washers, dryers, and sheds and under recliners before closing or moving them). A single barrier or window lock never replaces checking hidden spaces before operating appliances.
Separate ongoing room setup from before-every-use checks
Set 1 — Ongoing environmental configuration (Cats Protection home-safety guidance & Cats Protection 2025 leaflet): Enclose trailing electrical cords in cable tidies, put small loose items away, block narrow gaps behind large appliances, lock away household cleaning and chemical products, guard open fires, keep cats off hot stove hobs and heated surfaces, keep toilet lids closed, and secure windows—especially tilt-and-turn windows where cats can become trapped.
In addition, RSPCA's summer cat-care guidance highlights window locks and mesh screens when ventilating rooms for indoor cats. Never assume a partly open window is too narrow for a cat to squeeze into or fall through, and keep ventilation paths unobstructed when installing any screen or guard according to its product manual.
Set 2 — Mandatory checks before every operation or closing (Cats Protection & RSPCA): Keep washing machine and tumble dryer doors closed when idle and visually inspect the drum before starting every cycle; check underneath and inside reclining chairs or sofas before folding or moving the mechanism; and check garages, sheds, and outbuildings before shutting the door.
Complete this five-column cat-proofing your home checklist
Walk through each room with this inspection and handover table so every hazard has a documented restriction method, an operating rule, and a named household owner:
| Location or household item | Access-control or setup method (ongoing configuration) | Action before every use or closing | Equipment detail still to verify | Assigned household owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows & tilt-and-turn openings (Cats Protection / RSPCA) | Fit compatible window restrictors, locks, or screens per the window/guard manual while preserving ventilation; keep unguarded tilt windows closed | Check that window locks/screens are latched before opening a sash for airflow | Exact window frame type, guard mounting instructions, and ventilation clearance (never rely on an unmeasured gap): ____ | Person responsible: ____ |
| Washing machine & tumble dryer (Cats Protection) | Keep laundry-room or machine doors closed between loads | Look inside the drum before starting every single wash or dry cycle | Whether all family members and guests know the closed-door and drum-check rule: ____ | Person responsible: ____ |
| Recliner chairs & folding sofas (Cats Protection) | Keep footrests and folding mechanisms closed when nobody is seated | Check underneath the chair and inside the frame before lowering or moving the recliner | Any under-frame gap where a cat or kitten can crawl while the footrest is raised: ____ | Person responsible: ____ |
| Electrical cords & small loose objects (Cats Protection) | Enclose exposed wires in cable tidies/conduit and store ribbons, string, elastics, and small objects in closed drawers | Put loose craft, sewing, or packaging items away immediately after use | Identify any new charger cords or desk cables added after furniture changes: ____ | Person responsible: ____ |
| Gaps behind appliances (Cats Protection) | Block narrow spaces behind refrigerators, washers, and ovens according to appliance ventilation rules | Recheck barriers whenever an appliance is pulled out for cleaning or servicing | Confirm blocking panels do not obstruct required appliance heat dissipation vents: ____ | Person responsible: ____ |
| Open fires, hot hobs & toilet lids (Cats Protection) | Install a secure fireguard around open fireplaces, restrict kitchen access or cover hot hobs while cooling, and keep toilet lids down | Lower the toilet lid after every use and supervise or close off the kitchen while burners cool | Fireguard stability and burner cool-down protection method: ____ | Person responsible: ____ |
| Household chemicals, cupboards & outdoor sheds (Cats Protection / RSPCA) | Store cleaners, medications, and garden chemicals inside latched cupboards | Check inside sheds, garages, and cupboards before closing the door | Child/pet latches needed on low utility cabinets: ____ | Person responsible: ____ |
Revisit the checklist when furniture or routines change
Share your completed table with everyone in the house and brief visitors on window, door, and appliance rules. Whenever you move furniture or bring home a new appliance, re-walk the room together. Use our cat care plan to coordinate daily feeding and clinic contacts, and if you are planning an enclosed outdoor space, follow our separate complete catio plan.
