Whether your pet is a recently adopted puppy or kitten, a troublesome teenage tyrant, or a wizened senior citizen, they deserve a safe home. Unfortunately, many new and seasoned pet owners don’t realize that countless household items are hazardous to pets. This lack of awareness and appropriate safety measures can lead to unnecessary injury, illness, and heartbreak. 

Thoughtful and thorough pet-proofing is the most effective way to protect your pet from potential toxins in their environment. Here are four essential steps to pet-proofing your home and protecting your four-legged friend. 

#1: Create a dedicated safe zone for your pet

Giving your pet too much freedom in your home can be a recipe for disaster. Not only does it put your pet at risk, but it can also make house training more difficult, since they are not consistently nearby for you to monitor and address or interrupt unwanted behaviors.  

Your pet’s safe space should be centrally located so they feel like part of the family and can be easily observed. The area should be free from the hazards outlined below and have a secure perimeter (e.g., pet gates, closed doors, an exercise pen, or a crate). Provide any necessary resources including bedding, water and food, litter box, and appropriate toys.

Crate training or confinement training are essential skills for pets of all ages. While these techniques are frequently applied during early life, they can also help your pet cope with future life events such as emergencies, veterinary care, post-operative recovery, or age-related sensory or health changes.

#2: Recognize and secure potential pet hazards

Household accidents are a common reason why owners bring their pets to Caldwell Animal Hospital. Every week our team treats preventable injuries, including burns, lacerations, intestinal obstructions, toxin ingestion, and broken bones. Protect your pet from these avoidable—and sometimes life-threatening—circumstances by removing, relocating, or securing the following items in any pet-accessible area. 

  • Electrical cords
  • Candles
  • Trash cans
  • Blind cords 
  • Batteries
  • Candy dishes
  • Plants and floral arrangements
  • String or garland decorations
  • Breakable or fragile items
  • Small objects, toys, and figurines
  • Tall or heavy furniture 
  • Chemicals (e.g., cleaning products, personal hygiene items, home repair or automotive materials)

Next, assess each space or room from your pet’s perspective. Getting down on your hands and knees can reveal otherwise hidden hazards below eye-level.

Finally, take a look at your home’s exit points. Unsecured exits can lead to escape-based injuries and pet loss. Keep your pet safely confined by closing windows, installing barriers such as pet gates or modular pens around doorways, and routinely checking fences and gates for gaps or damage.

#3: Provide your pet with safe and satisfying enrichment

Pet-proofing is traditionally thought about in terms of taking things away (e.g., harmful items, access) to protect the pet. However, without providing appropriate and healthy alternatives for natural pet behaviors such as chewing, scratching, or playing, you can create a slew of serious and potentially harmful behavior problems.

Your pet’s instinctive behaviors can’t and shouldn’t be entirely repressed, especially during early development when these actions help your pet learn about the world. Instead of fighting nature, embrace it and offer satisfying substitutions, such as:

  • Safe chew toys — Puppies experience the world through their mouths while chewing provides a stress-relieving endorphin release for adult dogs. Avoid chew-related hazards such as choking or injury by selecting appropriately-sized toys that have a bit of “give” such as:

Frequently check your pet’s toys for wear and tear and replace as needed.

  • Games and puzzles — Mental exercise is a great way to engage your pet and tire them out. Try food-based puzzles and DIY activities such as the muffin tin game or a snuffle mat.
  • Scratching posts and rugs — Cats scratch to maintain their nails, stretch their bodies, and mark their territory. Use attractants such as Feliscratch to train your cat to scratch appropriate objects.
  • Physical exercise — Regular age-appropriate activity is essential for your pet’s physical and emotional health and can curb unwanted behavior.

#4: Train your pet

The best way to pet-proof your home is to get inside your pet’s head, where all good—and bad!—behavior originates.

Successful training helps your pet understand what’s expected from them and establishes clear boundaries—both literal (e.g., doorways, your yard) and behavioral (e.g., chew on this, not that). Effective training also includes life-saving skills that can transfer your pet-proofing powers beyond the home and yard. This includes crate training and behaviors such as “Leave it,” “Come,” and “Stay.” 

If you don’t have time to attend live training classes, consider online programs for dog and cat training. It’s an investment that could save their life.

Your pet relies on you for protection, guidance, and comfort—help them stay safe and sound by pet-proofing your home and setting consistent boundaries. For more tips on how to give your pet the best possible life, schedule an appointment at Caldwell Animal Hospital or check out our blog.