How to Pet-Proof Your House

Bringing a new cat or dog into your home is an exciting and joyful experience. However, it also comes with the responsibility of creating a safe and secure environment for your new furry family member.

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Pet-proofing your home is an essential step to ensure their well-being and to prevent accidents. In this article, we will explore various areas of the home to focus on when pet-proofing and provide practical tasks to help you prepare for your new pet.

How to Make Your Home Safer For Your New Furry Friend

Get Rid of Choking Hazards

One of the first things to address when pet-proofing your home is potential choking hazards. Pets, especially young ones, are curious and tend to explore their surroundings with their mouths. Here are some steps to mitigate choking risks:

• Small items:

  Keep small objects like buttons, coins, and jewelry out of reach. These items can be swallowed easily, leading to choking or intestinal blockages.

• Toys:

  Ensure that all pet toys are appropriate for your pet's size and made from non-toxic materials. Always take a look at your pet's toys for signs of wear and tear, and replace them as needed. If your pets tend to tear open toys, you might want to avoid those with internal squeakers that can be swallowed.

Check High Shelves and Secure Furniture

Cats and dogs are often attracted to high places. While this is more common in cats, dogs can also be climbers. So, if you keep fragile or dangerous items on shelves, ensure these items are secure and can’t be easily knocked over. You might want to consider raising your shelves to be out of reach for even the most adventurous cat.

Also, be sure to attach furniture like bookshelves and cabinets to the wall to prevent them from tipping over if a pet tries to climb.

Pet-Proof Your Kitchen

Pet-proofing the kitchen involves several important steps to ensure it is safe for your dogs and cats:

• Store all food items, especially chocolate, grapes, and onions, which are toxic to pets, in secure cabinets or the refrigerator.

• Keep trash cans covered or in a cabinet to prevent pets from accessing potentially harmful foods and sharp objects.

• Ensure that cleaning supplies are stored in high cabinets or secured with childproof locks.

Additionally, keep small appliances unplugged and cords out of reach, and always supervise pets when they are in the kitchen to prevent accidents involving hot surfaces or sharp utensils.

Toss Toxic Plants

There is quite a range of household plants that can be toxic to pets. So take some time to identify plants that are toxic to pets, such as lilies, philodendrons, and poinsettias, and remove them from your home or place them in areas inaccessible to pets. Then, consider replacing toxic plants with pet-safe alternatives like spider plants, bamboo, or succulents.

The ASPCA maintains an excellent database of plants that can be dangerous for dogs and cats.

Make Electrical Cords Safer

Pets, especially puppies and kittens, may find electrical cords enticing to chew on. This can be extremely dangerous. Follow these steps to pet-proof electrical cords:

• Cord management:

  Use cord organizers to keep cords bundled and out of reach.

• Protective covers:

  Purchase protective covers for cords, which can deter chewing and prevent electrical shocks.

Look For Pet-Friendly Cleaning Supplies

Many cleaning supplies have chemicals that are harmful to pets. So be sure to store all cleaning supplies in cabinets with childproof locks or in high places that pets cannot access. You may also want to consider using pet-safe cleaning products that are non-toxic and safe for use around animals.

Make Sure the Toilet Lid Stays Closed

Keeping the toilet lid closed is an easy and effective way to prevent accidents. Dogs and cats sometimes like to drink from the toilet, which can expose them to harmful chemicals from left-behind cleaning products. Keeping the lid closed will prevent this. Additionally, small pets, particularly kittens, could fall in and be unable to get out.

Check For Small Spaces

Small pets can easily get stuck in small spaces, so be sure to block them off behind appliances and furniture where your furry friends might get stuck or injured.

Pet-Proof the Living Room and Bedroom

These common areas require special attention to ensure they are safe for pets:

• Living room:

  Keep items like remote controls, small decorations, and books out of reach. Secure loose rugs and cover electrical outlets and cords.

• Bedroom:

  Ensure that bedside tables are free of small items that pets could knock over or chew on. Keep medications in secure, high places.

Don't Forget the Laundry Room

The laundry room can pose various hazards to pets. Here’s how to pet-proof it:

• Detergents and chemicals:

  Store laundry detergents, bleach, and other chemicals in secure cabinets.

• Washer and dryer:

  Always check that pets have not climbed into the washer or dryer before using them. Keep the doors to these appliances closed when not in use.

Additional Tips for Pet-Proofing

To ensure comprehensive pet-proofing, consider these additional tips:

• Chew toys:

  Give your pets lots of chew toys to keep them occupied and prevent them from chewing on household items.

• Pet gates:

  Use pet gates to restrict access to certain areas of the home that might be unsafe.

• Regular inspections:

  Regularly inspect your home for potential hazards and make necessary adjustments as your pet grows and their behavior changes.

• Training:

  Take the time to train your pet to understand boundaries and what is off-limits.

Pet-proofing your home is an ongoing process that requires vigilance and proactive measures. By focusing on potential hazards and taking the necessary steps to mitigate risks, you can create a welcoming but safe environment for your new cat or dog.

Remember, a home that's pet-proofed not only protects your four-legged family members but also gives you peace of mind, knowing they are safe and secure.