Baby-proofing the household is a common practice among new parents, for obvious reasons. Thankfully, this process isn’t that difficult. There’s plenty of advice online, you can mostly just protect against staircases, cupboards and sharp corners, and better yet, your little one is unlikely to walk for a good while, so you don’t have to worry about them charging through the household just yet.
But what if you bring in a new pet, such as a dog or cat? Cats are more flexible and capable of getting around A to B, but that doesn’t mean they won’t need protection in the household. Of course, planning ahead is always important, but outside of the obvious considerations (like adding automatic shutters onto doors, ensuring your gate and fences keep them in, and managing a healthy internal temperature, there are also hidden dangers that aren’t that clear.
After all, we’re willing to bet you haven’t reviewed your house through the eyes of a little puppy or kitty just yet. Consider this your invitation to do so. With the following advice, you’ll be able to keep a new pet safe in your household:
Look At Everything From A Pet’s Perspective
Most people do a safety sweep by walking through the house, perhaps moving cords or tidying loose rugs so a little furry friend doesn’t trip. That’s fine! But it also helps to get down to your pet’s level, and yes, we’re talking literally. When you crouch down and scan the space from that point of view, you’ll notice just how many wires, outlets, low-hanging items and chewable objects are around.
Puppies in particular explore with their mouths, as you’ll know the first time they steal your underwear from your washing line, chew your post, or nip at your shoes. That means electrical cords can seem like toys, and anything soft and loose can quickly become claimed, even if they’re not resource guarding. Loose laundry is a big target, of course. The more you pre-empt what they might see as a toy, the more protection you offer without ever having to tell them off. This approach saves you stress, vet visits, and certain anxieties that come from wondering what they’ve gotten into while you’re out of the room. Don’t worry, just assume they’re always up to something.
Keep Outdoor Areas Tight & Monitored
The back garden might feel like the safest place in the world for your new pet, but only if it’s sealed, monitored, and free from hazards. That means double-checking fences for holes, making sure gates latch properly, and removing access to sheds or garages where you might keep chemicals or sharp tools.
Another aspect of your own home to think about include pools and water features. If you have one, especially with open access from the garden or patio, it’s worth putting up some kind of barrier or alert system until you’ve trained your dog to stay away, or at the very least supervised them closely. In the meantime, it’s smart to hire a pool cleaning service to keep the water clear of harmful bacteria and debris. Not only is that better for you, it reduces the chances of your pet getting sick from something they drank, stepped in, or fell into. We tend to think of dogs or cats as knowing how to swim instinctively, but that doesn’t mean they’ll know how to climb out.
Secure Smaller Items & Hidden Hazards
There’s a surprising number of things your pet can get into that you wouldn’t think twice about as a human. Cleaning products under the sink, for example, or possibly chocolate, grapes, and certain houseplants that are totally fine for us but toxic to animals.
Keep these stored high up or in secure cupboards for your own peace of mind, and consider adding child-proof locks to lower cabinets if needed if they have a habit of trying to open them. You can never tell how ingenious these little creatures can be. Then think about any rubbish bins in the house, and not just the kitchen one, but bathroom and bedroom bins too. The scent of used tissues, dental floss, or leftover food can be oddly appealing to animals, and yet, almost all of it is a risk to their health.
Don’t Skip The Importance Of Calm, Familiar Spaces
A big mistake new pet owners make is assuming their animal will just adapt to whatever space you give them because you feel comfy in your own home, but stress and confusion are real issues, especially for young or recently adopted pets.
That means it’s helpful to create a specific place where they feel calm, safe, and somewhat separated from the chaos of the home. Often, that’s best if it’s a corner with a soft bed, a quiet spare room, or a little crate setup with toys and blankets. We can relate to needing our own space from time to time. Just don’t let them sleep on the bed with you at night, that’s quite unhygienic.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily deal with protecting your little furry friend from the difficulties of a household.
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