I've burned candles all through my house nearly every day for the past 30 years. My cats are used to it by now. Once in a while, one decides to be brave and get a little too close but the heat helps them to figure things out right away. The only one I really keep an eye on is Creamsicle because she's spastic in her movements but even she knows better than to get too close and she did it once, figured it out, and doesn't do it any more. I'm sure glad your kitty didn't get burned, though.