When you bring a pet into your home, you add a lot of love and a new level of responsibility. Now your home needs to be safe, not just comfortable, no matter if you’ve bought a playful kitten, a curious puppy, or a rescue dog with a past.
Pet proofing isn’t just about keeping your shoes safe or stopping your dog from tearing up the toilet paper. It’s about keeping your furry friend from getting into something that could harm them by accident. Pet proofing is a lot like baby proofing for babies, you have to be proactive, watchful, and make a few smart changes that can help keep accidents from happening.
Are you ready to make your home safer for your pets? Here you’ll find some useful tips for each room that will keep your pet happy and your mind at ease
Pet-Proofing the Living Room
Pets like to explore, so get rid of things that could hurt them on the ground. The living room is a great place for pets to play, but it can also be dangerous in ways. You can’t see. There are electrical cords, small decorations, and poisonous plants that can all be very dangerous for them.
Make sure that you hide cords and chargers. Use tubing or cord protectors to keep them from being chewed. Try to choose furniture that is stable. Make sure that bookshelves and tall lamps are safe from pets that might bump into them. Also, get rid of small things like coins, batteries, and buttons that could cause them to choke. Pothos, peace lilies, and philodendrons are all very common houseplants, but they are bad for cats and dogs. Areca palms, spider plants, and calatheas.
If you need to, you can even try using pet gates to keep certain rooms or delicate furniture areas off limits.
Dangers in the Kitchen
Some smells in the kitchen might be too hard for your pet to resist exploring, and things could be dangerous. It’s also tempting to give your pet a snack, but many foods that are good for people are bad for your pet. When you add easy-to-reach trash and cleaning supplies, the kitchen becomes even more dangerous.
Try putting child-proof latches on the lower cabinets. These keep kids from getting into trash cans, cleaners, and pantry items, they’ll also keep your pet from getting into them as well. Try to keep your countertops clear. Dogs and cats can jump to reach for food that is left out.
Know which foods are bad for your pet. Pets shouldn’t eat chocolate, grapes, onions, garlic, alcohol, xylitol (which is sugar-free gum), or coffee. Try to always have your trash locked up. To keep your pet from going through your trash, put it in the trash cans with lids or inside a cabinet.
Whenever you’re using the stove, always stay close. Even your furry friend can knock over a pot.
Keeping Bathrooms Safe
There is a lot of temptation and a little water in your bathroom. The bathroom may seem safe, but it’s actually another room with a lot of risks for your pet. Make sure your pet can’t get into anything that doesn’t belong in their mouth, think as medicines, personal care items, and any cleaning products you keep in there. Try to always keep the toilet lid closed; drinking from the bowl is not only dirty, but also can be dangerous if you use cleaning tablets or chemical deodorizers.
Store your medications safely. Even a small amount of human medicine can kill your pet. Also, put razors, dental floss, and makeup in drawers. If swallowed, these things can hurt the inside of their body. Hang your towels and wash cloths up securely; some pets like to pull these down and chew on them. But swallowing a piece of the towel could be bad for them.
If your pet scratches at the door, you might want to put a latch or a baby gate to keep them out of your bathroom completely.
Threats in the Bedroom
There may be hidden dangers in your bedroom. Even though bedrooms are usually safe, it’s still a good idea to do a quick sweep to make sure.
Keep your hair, ties, and jewelry out of sight. These can easily be swallowed and cause blockages. Try not to leave your chargers on the floor. Teething, puppies, or curious cats may want to chew on power cords.
If you’re a pet owner, it’s not a smart idea to use mothballs or scented sachets. They have a lot of chemicals in them that are bad for your pet. If you sleep with your pet, make sure to look for signs of chewing or damage on your bedding. This could cause your pet to swallow threads or synthetic fibers that could also cause blockages.
The Garage and Laundry Room
There are a lot of things in both of these spaces that can be poisonous or harmful to your pet. These are utility areas and need extra care because they have everything from detergent pods to sharp tools.
Store all of your cleaning supplies on high shelves or locked cabinets. Before using your washer and dryer, check them. Cats love to hide in warm laundry baskets and machines.
Store automotive fluids and garden chemicals in a safe place. Antifreeze is another dangerous item because it smells sweet, but it’s very toxic. Keep tools and hardware off the floor, if your pet steps on or swallows, nails, screws, or other small, sharp things, it could be dangerous. It’s ideal to keep pets out of these spaces unless you’re watching them, to be the most safe.
Fencing and Gardening
It’s important to make sure your yard or balcony is safe for pets. Pets need to spend time outside to get exercise and mental stimulation, but even your garden or patio could be dangerous.
Make sure your yard is safe. Look for holes, weak spots, or low spots for pets can get out. Don’t have poisonous plants in your yard for your pet. Azaleas, oleanders, tulips, and sago palms are all bad plants for pets. Make sure to keep lawn care, tools, and chemicals and locked sheds. Only use pest control that is safe for pets, and if you’re using rodent traps or insect sprays, make sure they are out of reach for your pet.
You could try putting up protective mesh barriers on your balcony or decks to keep small pets from slipping through the rails.
Safety for Each Season
Different seasons of the year bring new worries. Each season has its own list of things to do to keep your pet safe, from holiday decorations to the heat of summer.
During the holidays, keep candles, tinsel, and ornaments out of reach. In the summer, make sure your pet can get to the shade and water. Try not to walk your dogs during the heat of the day when the pavement is the most hot. And in the winter, I don’t let antifreeze or ice-melting products get on their paws or nose.
Things to Do Every Day
A few simple habits can keep big problems from happening.
In the morning, check each room. Look for things that could be dangerous, like open cabinets or pills that have fallen on the floor. Consistently train your pet and teach them limits and commands like leave it and stay.
Invest in pet-safe alternatives. Bitter sprays, cord covers, or window locks can stop accidents without making bigger changes to your home. ID tags and microchips are also a great way to make sure that your pet doesn’t get lost and can be found quickly if it does happen.
Conclusion
Pet proofing isn’t just about stopping bad behavior, it’s also about making sure your pet has everything they need to succeed and is safe. By keeping the things in your home safe and making your home a safe and well-planned place, you’re giving your pet a space where they can thrive.
The best part is that most steps to keep a pet safe are easy and cheap. You can avoid common dangers and focus on what really matters, rubbing bellies, purring naps, and daily tail wags with a little knowledge and some smart shopping. When you pet-proof your home, you’re making it safe and making it a safe haven for everyone in the family.
