The word 'cat-safe' is a modern English compound, formed from 'cat' and 'safe', where 'cat' refers to the animal and 'safe' means 'not dangerous'.

'Cat-safe' was created in modern English by combining the words 'cat' and 'safe' to describe products or environments that are not harmful to cats.

Initially, it simply described something not dangerous to cats, and this meaning has remained consistent.