For many people, a house doesn’t quite feel like a home until it’s being shared with a furry companion or two. Pets are great additions to any household, but keeping pets safe at home can be more challenging than it may seem.
If you’re a new pet owner or you’ve recently moved into a new house, pet-proofing your home is imperative before you introduce a new furry friend (or two) to the mix.
To keep pets safe in your home – and keep your home intact despite the fact that you are sharing it with animals – here are some helpful tips for pet-proofing your living space!
How to Pet-Proof Your Home
1. Start by Kid-Proofing Your House
When it comes to pet-proofing your home, a good place to start is with kid-proofing. Many household hazards for kids are also household hazards for dogs, cats and other common pets.
2. Invest in a Pet-Proof Trashcan
Pets have a knack for getting into things they shouldn’t – especially the trash! To keep pets out of your garbage, invest in a pet-proof trashcan that can’t be easily opened, even by the most resourceful critters. You can also place your trashcan in a cabinet that latches securely.
3. Remove Plants that Could Be Hazardous to Pets
Indoor plants are nice, but they can be incredibly dangerous for pets. Many plants are poisonous to dogs and cats – but even those that are not poisonous can make pets sick. Be sure to remove any plants that might be hazardous before letting your furry friends roam through your home.
4. Put Away Breakable Items
Dogs with wagging tails and curious climbing kittens can be dangerous for fragile knick knacks and decorations around the house. Put these things away in a safe place, even if you think they are displayed in a place pets can’t reach. You’d be surprised what adventurous pets are able to get to! Better safe than sorry.
5. Lock Up Cleaning Supplies & Medications
Household chemicals, laundry detergent, prescriptions, and medicines are incredibly hazardous to pets. While childproof containers may keep kids out, pets are resourceful and may be able to chew their way into things they shouldn’t. Put your mind at ease by locking these items away in a place your furry friends can’t get into even if they tried.
6. Install Chew-Proof Cord Protectors
Pets, especially young ones, have a reputation for chewing. When pet proofing, remember that anything within reach of your pets is fair game for chewing! This means even electrical cords. Investing in chew-proof cord protectors can help keep your pets safe from nasty electrical shocks while preserving your wires and cords.
7. Put the Toilet Lid Down
Dogs might like drinking from the toilet and cats might enjoy dipping their paws in the water – but that doesn’t mean doing so is good for them! To keep pets safe, keep the lid on the toilet closed. You’ll keep your pets away from the germs and bacteria lingering in your toilet, ensure that puppies and kittens don’t get themselves stuck in the toilet bowl, and prevent messes that involve nasty toilet water!
8. Check Your Window and Door Screens
We usually think of window and door screens as mechanisms to keep bugs and critters OUT of the house. With indoor pets, however, these screens are important features that keep pets safe and sound inside. To make sure your furry companions can’t make an unexpected escape, check your window and door screens throughout the house to make sure they are securely in place.
9. Put Things Away
When you have pets, it’s important to be diligent about putting things away and keeping your home in order. Animals are curious, especially about new or foreign items they haven’t experienced before. As a result, anything left out is fair game for pets to get into! Avoid having your things ruined and creating additional hazards for your pets by being careful to keep your belongings put away.
10. Keep Doors Closed When You’re Not Home
The more room they have to roam and explore, the more trouble they have the potential to get into. You can quickly and easily reduce the number of hazards your pets are exposed to when you’re not around to watch them by closing doors throughout the house when you are not home.
Though thoroughly pet-proofing your home may seem like a daunting task, doing so will ensure that you and your pets can all live happily – and safely – under one roof.
Have other ideas and tips for keeping pets safe in the home? Share with us in the comments below!