5 Ways to Pet-Proof Your Home

Pets are important members of your family who deserve a safe environment just as much as anyone else. However, as they are not humans, there are different variables to take into account when pet-proofing your home that you might overlook.

Sometimes you have to question the items you purchase in case they are toxic to your pets. You'll understand if you've ever been out shopping and found yourself thinking "Is spider plant toxic to dogs?".

There are certain plants that your pets need to stay away from, but some of the more common items that pet owners call poison control about are certain foods, one of the most infamous being chocolate for dogs and rat poison. If you are unsure whether the substance your pet has ingested is poisonous to them, do a quick Google search.

Most homes have small objects all over the place, especially if there are young children living in the home. Small toys are some of the most prevalent choking hazards, not just for children, but for pets as well. Having pets is all the more reason to make sure that children keep their toys picked up.

However, adults have to take up that responsibility too. There are other small objects often laying around the home that are not toys. Pets enjoy putting things in their mouths, so keeping your house tidy is important to avoid choking hazards for your pets.

Some of the same methods that parents use to child-proof their homes are methods pet owners can use to pet-proof their homes. Using child-proof latches on cabinets and doors will keep out pets just as well as children.

Using security gates that parents often affix between rooms may not keep all pets out, but it can keep out pets that are small or can't jump high. These security measures can be useful to keep your pets away from foods that are toxic to them and to keep them out of dangerous situations that could be occurring in other rooms.

Electric components can be dangerous to anyone, including pets. Be especially aware of any dangling wires that are in reach of your pets. You should exercise caution even with wires that you don't think your pets can reach because pets always somehow find ways to do things they aren't supposed to be doing.

Dangling wires and exposed outlets are incredibly dangerous to pets. Pets can chew on, swipe at, or unplug exposed wires, which can lead to electrocution, and leaving outlets exposed can be even worse. Make sure that outlets are not accessible to pets as often as possible and use outlet covers if the outlet must be exposed.

Most people have seen a movie or tv show where the family dog is drinking from the toilet, and dogs in real life tend to do the same thing. However, toilet water is not good for dogs or any other pets, so keep the toilet lid closed as much as possible.

If your bathtub is full and you are not in the room, keep the door to the bathroom closed so that your pets cannot get in. Exposed tubs of water, including swimming pools and bathtubs, can lead to drowning, especially in small animals.

You can take all the steps in this list and more, but sometimes unforeseeable circumstances occur, and your pet does something dangerous. In this case, do your best to solve the problem quickly, whether by calling someone, turning off a device, or intervening yourself, and then teach that pet to not do that thing anymore through the proper training method.