Cats and Fireplaces: 10 Tips to Keep Your Cat Safe

If you own cats and also have a fireplace (or fireplaces) in your home, chances are that fireplace safety is a top-of-mind priority for you. You may have even had a close call (or two…). The last thing you want is something happening to your kitty because you didn’t take the proper precautions. Read on for why cats are so drawn to fireplaces and 10 tips for how you can keep your cat safe in your home.

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Quick Summary

✔️ Keep an extra close eye on your cat when a fire is lit and use gates if needed ✔️ Ensure your fireplace is safe by installing glass doors and a screen ✔️ Watch for signs of heat exhaustion in your cat ✔️ Make sure your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are functional ✔️ Keep your fireplace tools stored away from your cat

Why Are Cats Drawn to Fireplaces?

Let’s first get into why cats seem to be so drawn to fire, particularly fireplaces. The main reason behind this attraction is the heat radiating from them. We all know cats like to lay in the sun because of the warmth, and fireplaces are no different.

There is actually a scientific reason for a cat’s need to be near warm things, and that is that cats are homeotherms. This simply means that cats require an adjustment of their internal heat gain and heat loss, which helps them regulate their body temperature. Fireplaces, as well as other sources of heat, help cats take in more heat to conserve energy and maintain their warmth.

I know from experience with my cats Luna and Hazel how attracted cats are to fire. I am on high alert whenever I have a fire lit for this reason.

Why Is It Dangerous for Cats to Be Near Fire?

The most obvious reason that it’s dangerous for cats to be near fire is that, well, they can get burnt! However, it’s slightly more complicated than that. You might think that your cat is fine around your fireplace because they will obviously know their limits.

Not quite.

Cats actually have less heat receptors than humans, so while we will feel pain at 112°F, cats will only feel the pain at 126°F. This is a problem because at that high of a temperature, a cat can definitely get burnt. This is why it is so crucial that you don’t leave your cat unsupervised around any sources of heat or fire in your home. This includes wood burning stoves, fireplaces, kitchen ranges, ovens, etc.

10 Tips for Keeping Your Cat Safe Around Fireplaces

Let’s dive into 10 ways that you can keep your home cat-friendly while still being able to enjoy a nice hot cup of coco by the fire.

1. Don’t Leave Kitty Unattended

This first tip might seem obvious, but it’s very easy to forget that you have a fire going when you run to the bathroom or go to the kitchen for a quick snack. Always make sure that you have another person keeping an eye on your cat, or just bring your cat with you when you leave the room. You can also keep your cat locked out of the room that you have a fire going in.

If you happen to have an extremely smart kitty who has figured out how to open doors, don’t fret. You can get door handle locks to keep them from jumping up and opening the door (such as this one from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4cUfvU7).

2. Install Glass Doors

This is a must for any fireplace or wood burning stove, whether or not you have a cat. Installing glass doors on your fireplace prevents embers or sparks from coming out. They also will keep your cat from getting curious and trying to touch the pretty orange moving lights.

Here is an example of tempered glass doors you can find to install on your fireplace: https://amzn.to/3Yp4jZL. These also come with mesh screens which provide an extra layer of protection from the embers and sparks.

3. Make Sure Your Carbon Monoxide Detector Is Functional

You should already have a carbon monoxide detector installed in your home, and if you don’t, now is the time to get one. In most US states, it is required to have one installed (you can find requirements by state here). Carbon monoxide detectors are essential for detecting the deadly gas in the air that can be released by any fuel-burning device, including fireplaces.

Having a functional carbon monoxide detector is crucial for ensuring your kitty and the rest of your family is safe when enjoying a nice fire.

4. Watch for Signs of Heat Exhaustion in Your Cat

As I mentioned earlier, cats don’t detect when they’re overheating as fast as humans. Therefore, it is essential to watch out for any classic signs of heat exhaustion in your cat. This includes panting or labored breathing, restlessness, increased heart rate, drooling, lethargy, glazed eyes, and more. If you do notice these signs, immediately remove your cat from the room and help them cool down by giving them cool water to drink, or rinse your cat in cool water. It’s also important to give your vet a call, as your cat may need medical attention if the heat exhaustion is severe.

5. Keep Kitty at a Safe Distance

If your cat has a bed in the room with the fire, make sure it is at a safe distance. This will help prevent any accidents from happening from flying sparks or embers, as well as keep your cat from overheating.

6. Keep Kitty’s Toys Away From the Fire

Never place any of your cat’s toys near the fireplace. This will encourage your cat to play near the fire and can lead to dangerous situations. Instead, make a dedicated corner of the room for your cat to play in that is far away from any fire source. Better yet, you can keep your cat’s toys in a totally separate room to be extra cautious.

7. Make Sure the Flue Is Open to Avoid Excess Smoke

Most chimneys have a flue, or a vertical passage/duct that runs from the firebox to the top of the chimney. Opening this before burning a fire is essential for ensuring smoke from the fire is directed outside instead of into your home. Smoke can cause cats a great deal of respiratory distress, even more so if a cat has asthma (like my kitten Hazel).

Which leads me to my next tip…

8. Have Functional Smoke Detectors in the Home

Smoke detectors are another requirement in most homes in the US. You may not even realize that too much smoke is being produced while enjoying a nice fire. This is why it’s important to have functional smoke detectors, so you can protect your kitty (and the rest of your family) from dangerous smoke levels. Smoke alarms should ideally be tested once a month to make sure they are functioning as they should.

You can find a combination smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector on Amazon: https://amzn.to/42yw84n.

9. Install a Gate Around Your Fireplace

Another great option for keeping your cat away from your fireplace is putting up a gate. This can work for around wood burning stoves as well. There are plenty of options for baby and/or pet gates (such as this one: https://amzn.to/4cTmxsp) that can work to keep your cat away from the fireplace.

One thing to consider is how high your cat is capable of jumping. If you have a very high jumper, you can find an extra tall cat gate on Amazon that works wonders: https://amzn.to/4cRzzqd. I personally own this gate and have used it a number of times when I had to keep my cats out of a room. It’s the only gate I found that they can’t jump over.

10. Find a Safe Spot for Fireplace Tools

Not only do you have to worry about the fire itself, but you also need to be careful with the fireplace tools. You don’t want your kitty getting hurt on these tools, especially fire pokers. Keep them locked away in a separate room or in a storage cabinet that your cat can’t access.

In Conclusion

While it is nice to enjoy a fire with your kitty by your side, there are things to keep in mind to keep your cat safe around fireplaces. If you implement the above 10 tips, you can ensure your kitty stays safe while being able to enjoy a cozy night in with a fire.

If all else fails, you can find electric fireplaces (this one is my favorite: https://amzn.to/3RFLGgn) that heat up a room and have fake flames that resemble a real fire. These are much safer for your kitty, and they can give a room a little facelift (bonus!).

Did you find this article helpful? Let me know in the comments!

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See also…

Litters for Cats with Respiratory Conditions: Top 5 Best Options