The answer to whether your kitten will destroy your house:
Your kitten will destroy the house because kittens have so much energy, and like to explore using their paws and mouths.
Here is how to minimize destruction:
- Keep your kitten in a small room.
- Kitten-proof your house.
- Remove hazards from the house.
- Enrich your kitten’s life with play.
Keeping a kitten as a pet provides us with companionship, and these adorable furry creatures are just cute to look at. However, you might be worried if your new feline friend will turn the house upside down while you are away.
Your concerns are understandable. You want to keep a pet at home, but one that destroys your house could be something you have not bargained for.
In this article, I will tell you if your kitten will destroy your house, and how to kitten-proof your home so that your little one does not wreak havoc.
A Kitten Left alone Destroys the House
Remember that kittens are playful, and will likely destroy something when you are not looking. A kitten is curious by nature, and likes to explore its new environment while testing out its abilities.
Your furry friend has lots of energy and sorry to say, the only way to expel this energy is to do things that can destroy something. This could be jumping on beds, knocking down glasses, clawing on curtains, and walking on your laptop.
To ensure your stuff stays intact while you are away, kitten-proof the house, and don’t let your little one free to roam.
Here are practical things you can do:
1. Keep your kitten in a small room
Leaving your kitten to roam the house can spell disaster. It can explore the whole house, and since your kitten does not know what acceptable behavior is, it definitely will cause a mess.
Contain your kitty in a small room and ensure it has all its necessities, such as food, a clean water bowl, a fresh litter tray, and toys.
Remove any breakable objects in your kitten’s room before leaving them alone.
Your little one will keep itself occupied with the toys until you get back home. Keeping it in a small room also ensures your cat does not injure itself while exploring the house.
It also makes it easier to train it.
2. Kitten-proof your house
Kitten proof your house to prevent your kitten from eating or chewing anything it should not. It’s a good way to ensure your kitten does not destroy your house, and also protect it from potential hazards.
Here are practical ways you can kitten proof your house:
- Remove small items from the floor
Kittens are playful animals and just like human babies, they explore the world with their paws and mouth. The floor can have lots of bad things that can cause problems for your kitten.
Remove these items that are easy for your kitten to swallow from the floor before allowing your little one to play:
- Ribbons.
- Strings.
- Sewing supplies.
- Small parts of toy accessories.
- Erasers.
- Plastic bags.
Don’t forget to remove electrical cords and cables out of your kitten’s reach. They may appear tempting to let your kitten play with, but they can seriously hurt them.
Secure all telephone wires, cords on blinds, and wires.
- Be aware of dangerous houseplants
If you are a green-conscious person, you probably have some houseplants in your house. However, not all these plants are good for your kitten. Some of them are toxic to cats and can make your cat sick if it chews on them.
- Secure sources of heat
Kittens normally enjoy snuggling in a warm area, although these hot spots can be dangerous places. Ensure the fireplace, wood stove, and electric heaters cannot be accessed by your kitten.
Unplug all electric heaters when not in use.
- Check small spaces
Your little furry friends can fit well into small openings. Check the dryer door to ensure your kitten is not there enjoying a nap.
Each time you open the fridge, your kitten can curiously get inside, so check well before closing the door.
3. Provide toys for mental stimulation
Most cat owners probably agree that a bored kitten is likely to act out. Your kitten will destroy your house if you don’t provide it with enough mental stimulation.
Stock up the house with your kitten’s favorite toys; fake mouse, cardboard papers, shiny balls of paper, and ping pong balls.
Play stimulates your cat and by the time it is done your furry friend will be tired, and just need some sleep.
Remember not to give your kitten toys with small chewable parts that can be ingested. Feather toys and strings attached to balls are nice examples of toys, but ensure you supervise the session so that it does not swallow these.
4. Use deterrents to prevent scratching habits
Scratching is one of the most common destructive behaviors of our feline companions. If you are worried that your kitten might claw on your furniture (and it probably will), you can take precautions.
Don’t assume that your kitten is acting out of malice; it is simply a behavior that is part of their play, and fortunately, this can be managed with a little patience.
When your kitten scratches on items such as curtains, long tablecloths, bookshelves, and furniture, it is marking its territory by depositing scents from its paws to the object.
Once you have identified your kitty’s scratching preferences, you can make the areas less appealing. One cat owner said that she puts a tower of plastic cups near the area where their kitty might likely scratch.
Once your kitten bumps over the cups, they will fall, and the noise will startle your cat.
A sticky tape is another deterrent to use to prevent scratching. The material feels unpleasant on your kitty’s paws, and this stops it from going there.
Things your Cat Likely Does When you are Away
1. Shred toilet paper
Almost all cat owners are familiar with this scenario. You open the bathroom door and find shredded toilet paper all over the floor.
The kitty likes to scratch and in the process, unravels the toilet paper. As the toilet paper moves by the wind, it might seem like an inviting toy for your kitten to play with.
Your kitten might also carry the paper to another room, creating a whole lot of mess. The soft material is inviting, and your cat is attacking the paper out of hunting instincts.
Of course, it’s not a pleasing habit. To stop your kitty, buy a toilet paper cover.
2. Steal snacks
Some kittens go to the extent of opening cupboards and helping themselves to whatever they find. So don’t be surprised if you find your bag of potato chips missing.
Your kitten might have decided to treat itself. If you have the kind of kitty that loves to steal your snacks, secure your food.
Once in a while, you can give your cat a treat from your plate. However, some human food can be harmful to your kitten and make it sick. Keep these foods away from your kitten’s reach:
- Onions and garlic.
- Milk and dairy products.
- Grapes and raisins.
- Alcohol.
- Chocolate.
Even if the snacks your kitten steals are feline-friendly, too much snacking can lead to obesity.
3. Dismantle toys
The bird toy you made for your kitten to play with can end up with ripped-off eyes, and teeth marks from biting.
Perhaps the fake mouse filled with catnip excited your kitten so much that it ripped it open, and scattered the contents all over the house. It is normal for a kitten to destroy its toy when playing.
Don’t Physically Punish your Cat
Even if you find the house in a mess, don’t punish your kitty. As mentioned, what you call misbehaving, such as scratching, is normal cat behavior.
You just need to know how to direct a more appropriate outlet for your kitten’s behavior. You can also use deterrents to keep your cat from misbehaving.
Punishing your kitten is a disciplinary action that will not work. Don’t yell or hit your kitty because it will not make it stop the behavior.
Rather, your little one will be afraid of you and this will weaken your bond. Cats learn through positive reinforcement; they do not learn by punishment.
Reward good behavior to encourage your kitty to repeat the behavior. For example, if you see your cat playing with its toys instead of shredding toilet paper, give it edible treats, or reward it with extra playtime.
Such rewarding will teach your kitten what is acceptable behavior. For this kind of training to work well, reward the good behavior while your kitten is doing it, and not later on.
