Of all the talking dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits, one thing that The Secret Life of Pets got right is the chaos the homes become as soon as humans leave. A pet home is nothing new to crashed plates, scattered playthings, hidden squeaky toys in unexpected places, chewed furniture, and tipped-over food dishes–to name a few.
While the clutter and mess can be cleaned, your pet’s safety can’t be taken lightly. The answer to mitigating these concerns is pet-proofing your home. Especially if you’re moving into a new house with fresh furniture, open sockets, and sharp edges, the need for pet-proofing is absolutely critical.
Therefore, for the 86.9 million pet owners in the US, here are five steps to pet-proof your new home for furry friends–room by room:
Kitchen
Drawn by the delicious smells and occasional pieces of dropped food, the kitchen will quickly become your pet’s favorite room in the house. Unfortunately, however, kitchens also have the most potentially hazardous items.
From piping hot kitchen equipment to sharp utensils and foods that should never be ingested, it’s crucial to keep pets out of the areas–a task that is easier said than done.
Therefore, pet-proof the kitchen by:
- Adding dog/cat gates
- Covering small gaps between cabinets and appliances
- Installing child-proof locks on cabinet doors
- Storing toxic food on higher shelves
- Not leaving dangerous items like knives out
- Putting stove guards to keep your pets from jumping on hot surfaces
Living Rooms
The living room will be the second most (or first, if you succeed in keeping the pets away from the kitchen) pet-busy place in the home. The most common concerns are electrical cords, opened windows, fireplaces, reclined chairs, and sharp edges.
You can keep the living room pet-safe by ensuring:
- Cords are unplugged when not in use
- Fireplace access is blocked with a fireplace screen or baby gate
- Reclining chairs are not left open
Invest in corner guards to protect your furry friends from sharp corners on desks, tables, and other furniture. Even better, for your new home, go for furniture with rounded edges to minimize the risks.
However, for bigger dog breeds like pit bulls, living rooms can feel restricting. If you have outdoor space, install a dog kennel for your furry friend. In addition to being a safe space, the kennel can be instrumental in house training and establishing a routine for your dog, thus promoting good behavior.
Bedroom
Bedrooms are one of the safest spaces for pets. However, before you let the furry pet in, remove all the items that could pose a choking hazard. Also, don’t leave out things that can become chew toys.
- Keep away hair bands, jewelry, and every small accessory on high shelves.
- Close closets and drawers.
- Don’t leave mothballs outside.
- Make sure hangers, belts, and purses are out of reach.
Bathroom and Laundry Room
Pets rarely know any boundaries, especially in a new home. But their presence in small spaces like bathrooms and laundry rooms–with cleaning supplies, toilets, and medication–can be dangerous.
Therefore, pet-proof the room for your furry child. Here are a few tips:
- Keep the toilet lid closed and install a seat lock
- Remove rugs
- Regularly check for leaking containers
- Ensure baths and sinks are drained after use
- Hide toxic chemicals away, like cleaning supplies and medicines, in cabinets or high shelves. Put bitter spray on the cabinet corners if the cabinets are designed lower.
Garage
The garage isn’t great for a pet to explore because most homeowners double it as storage space. But, if you’ve designed a garage to also entertain your hobbies or workshop, chances are your pets will follow you there.
In that case, use the following pet safety guidelines in the garage:
- Ensure proper ventilation
- Get rid of mouse and insect traps
- Store paint, chemicals, and other toxic substances away
- Clean the floor regularly to remove debris
- Before starting the car, bang on its hood to ensure your cats are not hidden in the engine compartment.
Yard and Patio
Pets should not be left outside unsupervised. But they still need to go out for potty breaks, exercise, or simply get some fresh air.
So, prepare your home’s outdoors for the pets:
- Secure all the holes, loose posts, and unlatched gates
- Ensure all the plants are pet-safe
- Block access to balconies to prevent falls
- Remove gardening tools and lawn equipment
- Install proper fencing with an appropriate height.
Pro Tip: Along with pet-proofing every room, install pet doors on staircases. Keep lidded dustbins. Opt for anti-skid flooring or vinyl or linoleum flooring to ensure your pets can walk and run comfortably. If the flooring is already done, the carpet can do the job–however, it’ll require more maintenance.
Transform Your Home into Safe and Fun Pet Heaven
Pets, especially cats and dogs, are nothing short of a toddler. They are cute, smart, curious, and mischievous–trying to explore each and everything. But their curious and naughty nature can quickly become a safety concern–that’s why you must pet-proof every corner.
So, use the tips above to pet-proof all the rooms of your new home–and Voila! Your home is ready for pets to run around, explore, and have fun, even when you can’t be right by their side.
For more tips on how to make your move easier with pets, check out our ultimate moving guide.
We hope you found this blog post Pet-Proofing Your New Home: 5 Steps To Keep Your Furry Friend Safe, useful. Be sure to check out our post Move To a New Home With Pets for more great tips!
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