Try to get all family members into the habit of leaving the toilet lid down. Cat-Proofing Computers Main Menu

Cats, like a lot of youngsters, will eat almost anything. And they will play with anything that can move. Strings, yarn, dental floss, elastics and especially needles and thread are highly enticing, but if swallowed they can do serious, often fatal, damage. Store anything string-like and any items small enough to swallow in a drawer or somewhere that feline paws can't penetrate. Chewing an electrical cord can be fatal, and pulling on it may bring down an appliance — in the case of an iron, possibly a hot appliance. Hanging cords, such as those for curtains, blinds and lamps can be strangulation hazards. Bundle all cords or tie them off out of reach.

Try to get all family members into the habit of leaving the toilet lid down. Cats, especially small kittens or less agile older cats, can fall in and drown. Make sure all windows are covered with sturdy screens and, if your cat will be an indoor pet, watch that he doesn't scoot out as you enter and leave the house. Keep garbage, a source of such dangerous items as bones and sharp tins, in a latched trashcan. Stow all breakable items, utensils and hazardous objects safely in cabinets, cupboards and drawers; if your cat figures out how to open doors (some do), use baby proofing latches to keep him out. Thoroughly clean up puddles of car fluids on your garage floor or your driveway. Gasoline, oil and brake fluid are all highly toxic, and the sweet smell of anti-freeze can attract a cat, with fatal results.

Cats will investigate anything they can fit into, and they can fit into tight spaces. Always check your dryer before starting it. Its warmth and darkness make it an attractive nest. Also check furniture with mechanisms — recliners and sofa beds — before using or closing them. Plastic bags are as dangerous for cats as they are for small children. And don't forget your car. Cats often crawl up under the hood for a warm nap in cold weather. Get into the habit of banging on the hood before starting the car to rouse any stowaways.