Whether you are bringing home a puppy, a kitten or an adult rescue, the best time to pet-proof is before the first day. Animals investigate with their noses, paws and mouths, and they find things we never notice. The simplest approach is to walk through your home one room at a time, ideally while crouching down to see the world from a pet’s height.
Kitchen and dining areas
The kitchen is full of smells, which makes it irresistible. Focus on what a pet can reach or knock over.
- Use a trash can with a locking or heavy lid, or keep it behind a cabinet door.
- Store human foods, especially chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic and anything sweetened with xylitol, in closed cabinets or high shelves.
- Push food and utensils back from counter edges. Some dogs learn to counter-surf quickly.
- Consider child locks for lower cabinets that hold cleaning supplies.
Living room and bedrooms
Living spaces hide many small hazards. Electrical cords are a classic chewing target for puppies, kittens and rabbits. Bundle them, run them behind furniture or use cord covers. Tie up blind and curtain cords. Pick up small items like coins, batteries, hair ties, earbuds and children’s toys.
Check medications on nightstands and in bags. Human medications are a common cause of accidental poisoning in pets, so keep them in closed cabinets and never leave pills on low surfaces. Recliners and fold-out furniture can trap small animals, so check before closing them.
Bathrooms and laundry
Keep toilet lids down, especially with small pets. Store razors, cotton swabs, dental floss and medications out of reach. In the laundry room, close washer and dryer doors and always check inside before starting a load. Cats in particular like warm, enclosed spaces. Keep detergent pods and dryer sheets put away.
Garage, basement and yard
Garages often hold the most dangerous items in a home. Antifreeze, rodent baits, pesticides, paint and fertilizers should be stored on high shelves or in locked cabinets, and spills should be cleaned up promptly. Check your fence for gaps and loose boards, and make sure gates latch securely. If you have a pool, think about how your pet would get out if it fell in.
Pet-proofing is not only about removing hazards. It is also about creating a place where your new pet can relax. A crate, playpen or small closed-off room with a bed, water and a few safe toys gives a new animal somewhere to decompress and keeps them safe when you cannot supervise.
Keep important numbers handy
Write down your veterinarian’s phone number, the nearest emergency animal hospital and an animal poison control hotline, and post them where everyone in the household can see them. If you ever suspect your pet has swallowed something it should not, call right away rather than waiting for symptoms. Your veterinarian can also offer advice specific to your pet’s species, age and size.
