When you are expecting, baby proofing your home is a must-do item on your to-do list. When you get a new pet for your home, many of us don’t think this requires the same amount of prep work. Despite what you may think when you decide to bring home a new pet pet-proofing your home is a must!
Sure, you can train your dog, and sure you can set up baby gates or even a crate, to keep your new pet contained to one area, but there are countless things you can do beyond that. Before you dive into pet-proofing your home, first do some prep. HomeAdvisor suggests looking at your home from your pet’s point of view and consider what they may be drawn to play with, chew on, or break into.
Read on about the steps you can take with a new puppy or kitten in each room of your home to make your house fully pet-proof.
Your Bathroom and Laundry Room:
These two rooms are home to various chemicals, medications, and sharp items, like your everyday razor. While something as simple as a dryer sheet may seem safe, even that can be harmful to your pet if they snack on it. Make sure all chemicals and cleaning supplies are stored inside a cabinet. American Humane even suggests that if your pet can nudge open a cabinet, take your pet-proofing one step further by putting a child lock on the door, or put the hazards higher up. Where can your pet get into? Toilet bowls may seem like an extra water bowl to your pet, but drowning becomes a risk, and they can be poisoned if there are any remnants of toilet bowl cleaner in the water. A washer or dryer may seem small to you, but it is a great hiding spot for a puppy or kitten, so always check inside before starting those appliances.
Your Kitchen:
Like your bathroom or laundry room, kitchens can be full of toxic chemicals, so also opt for child lock cabinets or place these items high up just as you would in those other rooms. Additionally, just like with your washer or dryer, Realtor.com notes that refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, and other large appliances also serve as a temptation for a curious kitten or puppy to crawl into. Other hazards include harmful human food that can be toxic for your pet, utensils that could cut them, and trash cans that are filled with garbage. Consider putting human food inside covered containers, keeping sharp items in closed drawers, and only using garbage cans that have closed lids.
Your Living Room:
While chemicals aren’t as widely present in a living room, this room presents some other hazards. Your furniture may be top-heavy and unstable posing a risk if your playful pet jumps on it or bangs into it. Or, you may have toxic plants, candles that could be knocked over, small toys lying around that are a choking hazard, and electrical cords or small electronic devices that can shock or electrocute your pet if they use it as a chew toy. Move and cover these cords, keep small electronic devices away, place a screen in front of a fireplace, never leave a candle unattended, put toys away, and ensure you are exclusively purchasing plants that are not toxic to your pet.
Your Bedroom:
If your bedroom has some of the same hazards as your living room, take those same precautions. While you won’t have small toys, you may have earrings or other small items that could be a choking hazard and should be concealed. In addition, ensure your drawers remain closed (and check before you close them so you don’t accidentally trap your pet inside). And always look for their paws and tails before you shut a door. If you keep your laundry in your bedroom, keep it hidden and if you use mothballs, keep those away from your pets as well.
Your Yard:
While pet-proofing your home may mostly be about the inside of your home, it’s important to spend time pet-proofing your yard as well. Your pet probably spends much of their playtime outside getting exercise. While outdoors may seem safe, your yard has chemicals like fertilizer and pesticides on the grass and weeds. Harmful mulch and compost, and your plants and flowers all can look appealing for your pet to munch on. If you have a pool, add a fence around it to keep your pet from drowning. Additionally, schedule regular flea and tick control and be proactive in removing poisonous plants.
Your Garage and Basement:
If your pet gets into these rooms, keep a close eye on them. Typically, there are harmful chemicals and more that are stored here. All of these can be deadly to a pet. Move these to a high shelf and keep a close eye on if any of these chemicals spill. With your toolbox, make sure it is always closed and that no loose screws or nails are lying around. And finally, if you’re working on your car, always check the under the hood when you stop! You never know when a curious pet might crawl in.
As you house hunt, you may not know what you should pay special attention to. Lantern Real Estate Group is always ready to help navigate this process!
Visit Lantern Real Estate Group to chat with us today!
