Welcoming a New Pet? How to Puppy Proof or Kitten Proof Your Home

Congratulations on your decision to give a pet a safe and loving home! 

If you’re a first-time pet owner, you may not realize what potential dangers lurk in your home, especially for an insatiably curious puppy or kitten. Keep your new family member safe by puppy proofing or kitten proofing your home. 
​
Even experienced pet owners may need a refresher course when bringing home a new pet, especially if you’re accustomed to living with an older or ultra-chill pet with few exploratory urges. You may have forgotten what it’s like to be vigilant, and a pet in new surroundings will inevitably want to scout the terrain. To keep them safe, take these easy steps to cat proof or dog proof your home. 

Here’s what you need to know: 

Pet Toxins: Know ‘Em and Stow ‘Em
The average home is full of things that can be toxic to pets. And we’re not just talking about the obvious substances like rodent poison and cleaning supplies. Commonplace foods and house plants can cause illness and even be deadly to animals. Eliminate or carefully store these items out of your pet’s reach:

- Food and Drink
Chocolate, grapes, onions, and many more common edibles can be poisonous to your pet. The ASPCA offers a list of these substances and how they can harm your cat or dog. 

- Drugs
Drugs account for 22% of pet poisonings. Keep all prescription and over-the-counter medications safely stored. Always open medicines over a sink to prevent spills and wayward pills that pets could lick up. 

- Household Chemicals
It probably goes without saying that safely storing household chemicals is a must for a pet-safe home. Here are some you might not have thought of: 

• Antifreeze
• Automotive chemicals
• Cleaners (The American Kennel Club will tell you how to make your own pet-safe cleaners.)
• De-icing salts
• Detergents
• Fertilizer
• Gasoline
• Glue
• Insecticides
• Lawn and garden chemicals (Learn about eco-friendly pesticides that don’t     hurt pets.)
• Mothballs
• Paint
• Rodent poison
• Slug baits

- Plants
It’s worthwhile scoping out your indoor and outdoor plants for varieties that can sicken or even be fatal to your pet. Here are some of the most common:

• Aloe Vera
• Amaryllis
• Begonia
• Jade 
• Philodendron
• Sago Palm

The Pet Poison Helpline offers a more in-depth list of plants that are unsafe for pets. 

Anything Can Be a Chew Toy – And That’s Not a Good Thing
Pets like to nibble and gnaw, especially young ones testing their new choppers. But that can be bad news, for you and for them. It helps to stay tidy and keep all of your belongings stowed out of your pet’s reach or in pet-proof cabinets and drawers. Here are some things to be careful with:

• Cords, cables and chargers can cause mouth burns and deadly electric shock. Hide or cover them instead. 
• Cotton balls and pillow stuffing can cause intestinal blockages.
• Small items can cause choking, blockages, or organ damage, including rubber bands, paper clips, hair ties, loose change and razors. 

Now is the time to live by the adage, “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” 

Border Control
One of the simplest and best ways to keep a pet out of harm’s way is to cordon off danger zones and create safe spaces with fences and gates. For puppies in particular, it’s all too easy to bound recklessly into the street or tumble down stairs.  

The time and attention it takes to puppy proof or kitten proof your home isn’t much, and it’s worth it to create a safe haven. You brought them into your home to provide a better life. These simple pet-proofing measures will help ensure that their life is long, healthy, and happy. 

For any animal poison-related emergency, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) 24 hours a day, 365 days a week at 888-426-4435. A consultation fee may apply.

CONTENT WRITER & CONTRIBUTOR, BARKTIQUE + MEOW

Kim Brittingham

Kim Brittingham is a content writer for Barktique + Meow, an animal lover, and a history buff residing at the Jersey Shore. She is the author of Read My Hips (Three Rivers Press/Random House, 2011) and Write That Memoir Right Now (Blackstone, 2013). She's a willing servant to a rescued miniature poodle named Clarice.