The Paws-itively Essential Pet Parents Guide to a Safer Home
Some are big, some are small. Some want to play all day, and some prefer to take it easy. Some chirp, bark, meow, yip, yowl, caw, cry, whine, or howl. They’re our pets, they’re all different and special, and they make everything better. Why not say thank you by making your house a safer place for your pets to call home? To help you get started, we put together this paws-sitively essential guide to help you create a safer environment for your animal family.
Remember, your veterinarian will always be your best resource for the physical health and well-being of your pet. If you believe your pet is sick or injured, please contact your vet immediately. If your pet has ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call the ASPCA’s 24-hour Animal Poison Control hotline at 888.426.4435.
Basic room-by-room pet-proofing
Pets have an uncanny ability to get into trouble, and they might break the rules a bit more when no one’s home. Here’s a room-by-room guide to identifying potential hazards.
Kitchen
Your pet may be a really “good boy” or “good girl,” but that doesn’t mean it’s always safe to reward them with table scraps.
Some foods that are safe for people are no good for animals. According to the American Medical Veterinary Association and the ASPCA , the following foods should be kept off your pet’s menu, no matter how cute they are when they beg:
Alcohol
Avocado
Coffee, tea, and caffeine
Chocolate
Citrus fruits
Coconut and coconut oil
Milk and dairy
Yeast dough
Grapes and raisins
Salt and salty foods
Nuts
Onions, garlic, and chives
Garlic
Raw/undercooked meat and eggs
Fatty, rich, or spicy foods
Anything with xylitol (an artificial sweetener)
Also, be extra careful if you have a pet who gets into the trash, because rotting food and other discarded items can make them sick.
Living Room/Family Room
We spend a lot of time in this area, making it one of the easiest spots for your pet to get its paws on an off-limits item.
Make sure any electrical cords and wires from computers, televisions, stereos, lamps, and phone chargers are out of reach.
Keep areas your pet can reach clear of choking hazards, including strings and threads, small game pieces, paper clips, bottle caps, etc.
Many household plants, if ingested, can make animals sick or even be life-threatening. To see if any of your plants are unsafe for pets, check the ASPCA’s toxic and non-toxic plants database here .
Cover up all heating and air vents.
Bathroom
Some pets (cats and dogs, we’re looking at you) seem to dedicate their entire lives to getting into the bathroom. There are new water sources to taste, toilet paper rolls to dominate, and tubs to slip around in. While they have their fun, just make...
