Are there cat-safe window blinds?

 

Most cat guardians don’t even have to read this post. They live in normal homes with normal windows with blinds or shades, and the cats are just fine.

 

And then there these cats:

It’s funny, until it’s not funny. The Internet is rife with stories of cats being found dangling in the window blinds by a single hind leg[1], or with a paw or tail or some other body part entangled in a tourniquet of blind cords.[2][3]

 

In some extreme cases, cats have lost their lives to this seemingly harmless bit of home décor.

 

Let’s talk about why some cats seem to go looking for trouble in the window blinds, and what, if anything, a loving cat guardian can do about it.

 

Why do cats get tangled in window blinds?

 

OK, some cats actually just like the window blinds or shades themselves. They like to gnaw on wooden slats, or they like to play with the cords, which are basically just pieces of string.

 

(Read this post to find out all about why cats like string.)

 

Some cats like to use the blind as a kind of scratching post, while others appreciate the ladder-like quality of traditional blinds. “Aw, you stuck on a cat tree on the window just for me?”

 

But most cats who mess with the window blinds are just trying to get them out of the way. It’s the windows behind the shades that cats really want. The blinds are just collateral damage.

 

Why are cats so fascinated by windows?

Oh, to know the mind of a cat. 

 

But we can make some educated guesses about the attraction of windows to a cat, based on what we know about cat biology and behavior:

 

Armchair hunting

 

The view from a window might be the closest an indoor cat will get to actually hunting a living bird or rodent.

 

The feline hunting sequence goes like this: 1) stare, 2) stalk/chase, 3) pounce/grab, and 4) kill bite. Hunting, and hunting in this very particular way, is at the heart of what it means to be a cat.

 

Watching a bird at the feeder, or a chipmunk scurrying under a shrub, fulfills the first part of the prey sequence for cats.

 

You will know your cat is in hunting mode if his tail is swishing, he’s making chattering noises, his ears are upright and facing forward, or his whiskers are also forward.

 

Sunshine

Ever notice how cats seem to seek out a sunny spot on the floor? Windows provide maximum exposure for sun-seeking kitties.

 

Cats aren’t working on their tans, but they are looking for warmth. This is because cats have a higher thermoneutral zone than humans. The thermoneutral zone is the temperature at which a living thing doesn’t have to expend any additional energy to stay warm or keep cool.

 

A cat’s thermoneutral zone is between 86 and 97 degrees Fahrenheit. A National Research Council study says that we tend to keep our homes at around 72 degrees. Our cats are cold!

 

A need for warmth is one of the reasons cats enjoy snuggling up in a cardboard box (and the main reason I design and sell fun cardboard box playhouses for cats).

 

A desire to soak up the warmth of the sunshine is, thus, another likely reason cats are so attracted to windows.

 

They’re interesting

 

Hunting aside, watching the world go by is just interesting for cats. Heck, it’s interesting to me. I’ve positioned the desk in my office next to a window so that I can see what’s going on outside.

 

There are all kinds of sounds to listen to: birds cheeping, squirrels chirping, neighborhood cats squabbling.

 

There are fascinating sights to watch: leaves blowing in the window, tree boughs swaying, cars whizzing by, the mail person making her rounds.

 

If the window is open a crack (or probably even if isn’t) there are smells to relish: the scent of cut grass, or the pavement after a hard rain, or the odor of neighbor’s dog.

 

Why are blinds so dangerous for cats?

 

There are three main concerns when it comes to blinds:

 

1.     The risk of the string becoming a linear foreign body,

2.     The risk of the string becoming a tourniquet, cutting off the blood supply to a body part, and

3.     The risk of chewing or consumption of the blind parts.

 

Linear foreign body

 

I go into great detail about cats and string in this post, but it’s worth reiterating here: a string can become a life-threatening disaster. 

 

Once string gets into a cat’s mouth, it’s almost impossible for her to spit back out. The design of a cat’s tongue practically forces a swallow.

 

This is because a cat’s tongue is covered in backward-facing hooks, like little cat claws, called papillae. When a cat grabs a piece of string in his mouth, such as a cord from a blind,  those little hooks kind of dig in. He can’t drag the string “against the grain” of the papillae to spit it back out.

 

Once a piece of string gets swallowed, anything can happen. The string can take a harmless little trip through the digestive system and out into the litter box. Or, it can become a linear foreign body, becoming you and your cat’s worst nightmare.

 

A piece of string can be life-threatening to a cat

 

The intestines perform wave-like contractions to move food through the gastrointestinal system. If a string gets stuck anywhere, those contractions cause the intestines to kind of “climb up” the string and get bunched up like the waistband of a pair of sweatpants.

 

But as the contractions continue, the string, now completely taut, starts to saw through the intestines, potentially causing a cat’s gut contents to leak out into her abdomen.

 

If your cat isn’t already in the operating room by now, she is at risk of dying from a deadly infection from those spilled gut contents, called peritonitis.

 

Tourniquet

 

Even if your cat is smart enough to keep the blind cords out of his mouth, he might not be smart enough to keep them from becoming entangled around a body part.

 

It’s easy enough to slip partway through some window blinds, but it’s less easy to back out again, especially as the blinds start moving and making funny noises. The angled slats make it almost impossible for a cat to simply reverse course.

 

At some point, without the immediate help of a third party to untangle this mixed-media puzzle of cat and window blind, a cat can become frantic. The more the cat struggles, the tighter the cords can become.

 

A cord wrapped too tightly around a limb, tail, paw, toe, can cut off circulation or breathing, and cause cell death. A cord around a neck can choke a cat.

 

Consuming plastic window blind parts

 

Many cats are unusually attracted to chewing items made of plastic. I go into more detail about cats and their seemingly inexplicable passion for plastic in this post.

 

Plastic bits can become choking hazards, and sharp pieces can tear intestines. Larger pieces can cause gastrointestinal obstructions.

 

The best blinds for households with cats

 

The best blinds for a home with cats are no blinds at all. But that’s obviously not practical.

 

Here are the two next-best choices for cat guardians with determined cats. These suggestions are not necessarily practical for everyone, but are worth mentioning:

 

Privacy film

(*Note: as an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases)

 

Privacy film is a vinyl sheet that adheres to window glass. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns, from complete blackout to metallic, to a kind of cut-glass look. There’s a frosted film that allows some light in, but still blocks the view from outside in.

 

Privacy films are typically static-cling, meaning no adhesives are involved. The product can typically be removed and reapplied.

 

The disadvantages are that, unlike window blinds, the privacy film can’t be raised and lowered. Once it’s on, no one can see in, but no one can see out, either, including the cat.

 

You can view some privacy films here.

 

Windows with internal blinds

 

The best kind of real blinds for households with cats are the kind of blinds that the cat can’t touch.

 

If you’re replacing windows in your home, consider getting between-the-glass blinds or shades.

 

These window coverings are placed between insulating panes of glass, which protects them from dust and damage, and also from kids and cats. The controls are on the outside of the window frame.

 

The main disadvantage is, of course, the enormous expense of window replacement. The other disadvantage is that laws in some states and municipalities (including mine) prohibit them.

 

I live in a colder climate and when we recently replaced the windows in our older house, I learned that internal blinds interfere with the ability of the window manufacturer to inject insulating gas between the panes. Windows with internal blinds are thus not compliant with energy-efficiency laws in my state.

 

Check your state regulations before considering this option.

 

Plantation shutters: a realistic choice for households with cats

 

Plantation shutters are sturdy. There are no cords and no fabric. If they’re closed, the cat can’t get through them and become entangled. If they’re open, they give the cat full access to the window and no reason to mess with them.

 

Plantation shutters are made of material (whether wood or plastic) that is typically too thick for a cat to sink teeth or claws into. They’re practically indestructible.

 

But, plantation shutters are a custom product and thus expensive to buy. They can be a hard expense to justify if you own your home, and even harder to justify if you rent.

 

Other window coverings, pros and cons

 

For cat guardians, there are advantages and disadvantages to almost every kind of window covering.

 

It helps to know your cat. Is she looking for a scratching post or just access to the window behind the covering? Does she adore chomping on strings, wood, or plastic, or is she a climber?

 

Knowing how your cat will likely interact with whatever window covering you choose can help guide your purchasing decisions.

 

Roller shades

@allesin_official 🐱: “What. Is. That. Magic?” When your cat discovers your roller blinds can move... 👀 First, it's a curiosity... then, it's a full-on mission to figure out how these blinds work. 🙀 Good news: No more climbing the windows to adjust them! Just a tap, and voilà! ✨ Cat-proof your blinds and keep the peace. 🐾 Tap the link in bio for more!. . . . . . #smartblinds #catapproved #homeautomation #smartliving #curiouscat #rollerblinds #petfriendly ♬ son original - Cat’slife - chubby_s_life

 

Roller shades are actually a great choice for a lot of kitty households. They’re typically a cost-effective window covering and they come in an almost limitless number of colors, patterns, and opacities.

 

Many cats completely ignore roller shades, just ducking under them to get to the window.

 

But others view roller shades as just a very large scratching post. Choose a fabric that does not invite scratching, and opt for a cordless lift option to make the shades as safe as possible.

 

Cellular shades

 

Cellular shades are typically made of a non-woven fabric that is formed into a honeycomb-shaped structure. Cellular shades can be a budget option (or not), and may be a good option for your kitty household.

 

One of the nice things about cellular shades is that when they are in the fully open position, the fabric stacks up tightly against the top of the window. This can be good for some cats, who will have no interest in this neat little stack when the whole window is open for viewing.

 

But not all cats. Some cats will still enjoy tearing at the stacked fabric. And some cats will find honeycomb shades in the lowered position an absolutely irresistible scratching surface. If you have shades, you’re probably going to want to lower them eventually.

 

If you decide to try cellular shades, be sure to select the cordless option. It’s more expensive, but worth it, if you have cats.

 

Vertical blinds

 

Vertical blinds are often placed on large windows or to provide privacy on glass doors. They make a good choice for some kitty households because cats can just slip between the slats without becoming entangled.

 

Some vertical blinds have chains at the bottom to keep the slats evenly spaced, and these may frequently (and annoyingly) become disconnected if the cat decides that vertical blinds are for playing.

 

Another potential negative: some vertical blinds are made of fabric that practically asks the cat to scratch it.

 

Choose your vertical blind material wisely.

 

Roman shades

 

Roman shades are made from a long sheet of fabric that folds up as the shades are raised.

 

The advantage of Roman shades is that there are no slats that a cat can climb through and become entangled, or segments that allow a cat to use the shade as a ladder.

 

Many Roman shade manufacturers offer cordless lift options, a safer choice.

 

However, the fabric on Roman shades might invite climbing and scratching. Choose sturdy, tightly woven fabric if you are going to invest in this window-covering option.

 

Faux wooden blinds

 

Faux wooden blinds are made of scratch-resistant PVC or composite materials that can look like real wood. Many are sturdier than real wood and won’t bend or crack under the weight of a climbing cat.

 

A cordless lift will make these blinds a safer choice for cats.

 

But safety isn’t the only thing to think about when choosing a window covering. On an online forum, one cat guardian reported that her cats had learned to tap the middle of her faux wooden blinds in the middle of the night, demanding to be fed.[4]

 

Meanwhile, another cat guard reported that her cat would walk from room to room “jangling” her metal blinds.[5]

 

Whatever you plan to purchase to cover your windows, understand that your cat may have other plans.

 

The one window covering you should never buy

 

Mini blinds (aluminum or plastic)

 

There may be households out there in which the cats ignore the aluminum or plastic mini blinds on the windows. You may live in one of those households, and you may now pat yourself on the back.

 

I do understand why people purchase mini blinds. Window coverings tend to be extremely expensive, and aluminum and plastic mini blinds are usually reasonably priced. Plus, mini blinds do the job they were designed to do well!

 

But if you are first purchasing window coverings and you don’t know how your cat will interact with them, consider another option.

 

Unless you are home with your cat every minute of every day, you might not be there to disentangle your overly curious cat from the mini blinds when he needs you to save his limbs or life.

 

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Dawn LaFontaine

Dawn LaFontaine is a lifelong animal lover who always seems to have a little pet hair in her keyboard. Her blog, Kitty Contemplations, helps cat guardians better understand and care for the special beings they share their lives and homes with. Her cat-products business, Cat in the Box, sells beautiful, well-made, and award-winning products that she designed to meet the biological needs of cats.