Pet-proofing the house might seem like an easy task, but there are often things that get overlooked. Clothes, house plants, and air vents can all pose bigger threats to animals than you might realize. Keep reading for tips on how to make your home as safe as possible for your pets.
Make Sure Air Vents Are Covered
Air vents that are low to the ground or on the floor can be easily reached by your pets. While they might seem harmless, the issue is that claws can easily get stuck in them.
Smaller animals can even jam a paw into the vent. That's why it’s a good idea to use vent covers to block your pet from getting something caught. Plus, these covers help prevent dander and fur from slipping into the vent and spreading throughout the house.
Clean The Garage Floor
The garage floor is often the most overlooked part of a home, which can be harmful to pets, especially when the homeowner works on their car in the garage.
Oil and other chemicals can spill and build up on the floor, and pets might lick them out of curiosity. To make the garage safer for pets, it's important to clean it regularly, especially after doing car work that involves liquids like oil changes.
Always Check The Dryer Before Loading It
Some pets might think the dryer is a warm and cozy spot to nap. Because of this, owners should make it a habit to fully close the dryer door after each use.
For added safety, it's a good idea to quickly check the dryer before putting clothes in. Someone might have forgotten to close the door, the latch might not have caught, or your pet might have figured out how to open it. It's always better to double-check.
Avoid Leaving Out Wrappers
Even in the cleanest homes, leaving a wrapper out every now and then might not seem like a big deal. However, that chocolate wrapper left on the coffee table overnight can be more harmful than it seems.
Wrappers usually have leftover bits of food or at least still smell tempting to pets. This can make them want to try eating them. Be sure to throw away wrappers to avoid a choking hazard.
Keep Board Games Up High
Board games can seem secure in a box, but that isn't always the case. Animals can chew up boxes or wiggle them open, leaving them exposed to small pieces that they may try to swallow.
That's why it's a good idea to store board games up high rather than on a low shelf or on a coffee table. Ideally, keeping them in a cabinet with doors would be the most secure so they can't get knocked down.
Secure Dangling Wires
Dangling wires can be dangerous around pets, especially when the animal is young and still teething. They may chew through the protective outer layer of the wire, putting them at risk of electric shock.
There are plenty of wire management systems that keep electrical items tucked away behind a safe material that matches the wall. It's safer and more sightly! A simpler option is to use zip ties to pull the wires out of reach from your pets.
Use Baby Locks In The Kitchen And Bathroom
Kitchens and bathrooms tend to have plenty of hazardous items, so keeping a baby lock on them can be very helpful. While it would be ideal to store toxic items up high, it isn't always realistic.
In bathrooms, most of the storage tends to be under the sink. In kitchens, the higher cabinets are often reserved for dishware while the lower ones get the cleaning supplies. To avoid a pet pawing open the cabinet door, baby locks are a must.
Put Away Craft Materials After Use
Craft items can be dangerous around pets since they tend to have sharp or pokey sides. Even something as seemingly harmless as ribbon can be hazardous if pets were to swallow a piece.
That's why it's a good idea to keep them in a container with a secure lid or stored in cabinets with doors. Avoid leaving them out on tables or anywhere a pet may get to them unless they are in a designated room with the door closed.
Move Large Furniture When Cleaning
When vacuuming or sweeping the floor, it can be easy to just clean around large furniture rather than moving it out of the way to clean under it. However, this can put pets at risk.
It's easy for food and other small items to slip in the creases under furniture. A pet may end up pawing something that was hidden under furniture and then try to eat it. This is especially true under the bed since smaller pets crawl through there.
Keep Tools In Secure Boxes Or Drawers
While it may seem obvious, it can be easy to leave out tools in workspaces that are frequently used. Those who often do home projects in the garage or a shed may want to keep the door locked so pets can't get in.
The safest way to keep sharp and heavy tools away from pets is to always keep them stored in a secure box or drawer. The same goes for everyday tools around the house like hammers, nails, and scissors.
Don't Leave Out Phone Chargers
When a phone charger isn't in use, it would be a good idea to keep it stored somewhere rather than left plugged into the outlet. A pet may try to chew on the charger like it's a toy.
Best case scenario, the charger will end up damaged. Worst case scenario, your pet may get hurt. This is especially true when leaving the house for an extended amount of time. The same goes for other electrical accessories.
Keep Clothing Out Of Reach
Pets are often drawn to apparel because it smells like their owner. Still, it would be a good idea to keep clothing and shoes out of their reach due to safety hazards.
Younger animals that are teething may not only do damage to such items, but can end up swallowing something they shouldn't have. Sequins, buttons, rubber soles, shoestrings, and more can all be harmful when ingested. Keep closets closed and hampers out of reach.
Use Heavy-Duty, Covered Trashcans
Dogs and trash go together like peas and carrots. Especially when food gets tossed, many dogs can't help but try to get a taste. Unfortunately, this puts them at risk of ingesting something harmful.
One idea is to keep trash under sinks or in cabinets. The problem is that some households need larger cans that can't be tucked away. In that case, opt for a covered trashcan that's heavy-duty enough that it can't be knocked over by a pet.
Be Mindful Of Small Spaces Where A Cat Could Get Stuck
As many cat owners probably already know, felines love squeezing into tiny places. There's actually a biological reason behind this as the confined space makes cats feel comforted.
The problem is that they sometimes don't know their limits, resulting in cats getting stuck. Try to block off areas around the house that the cat might try to cram into, such as behind a water heater. The same goes for individual items like vases and containers.
Check For Your Pet Before Shutting Doors
Since pets get comfort from things that smell like their owner, they sometimes will sneak into drawers, closets, or under the bed. Sometimes they're just curious and are exploring their territory.
Before shutting something, it's wise to feel around or at least look to make sure your pet isn't in there. If an animal gets stuck somewhere, they may not have access to their water. This can be especially vital when leaving the house or going outside.
Don't Leave Out Lotions And Medications
Daily medications, lotions, and cosmetics are used frequently enough that they often end up on bathroom counters or nightstands. While this can be a convenient place to leave them for the owner, it can be dangerous for pets.
Anytime a pet can reach something, there's the risk of them chewing it open and ingesting what's inside. To be safe, store items in a nightstand drawer or a medicine cabinet and put them away after use.
Store Hazardous Garage Items Up High
The garage doubles as a storage unit for many households, so many items can end up getting crammed in there. This may include hazardous liquids, such as car washing soap or leftover wall paint.
Especially if the garage is attached to the house or otherwise accessible to pets, it's a good idea to keep these items on high shelves. Installing a shelf that hangs from the garage ceiling can provide storage space that pets can't get to.
Keep Breakable Items Out Of Reach
It may seem like a no-brainer, but it's important to keep lightweight breakables tucked away. Items like flower vases, small plant pots, or even empty mugs that get left out can all end up shattered on the floor.
Breakables left on surfaces lower to the ground can get knocked over if a dog hops up or if their tale wacks the item. Cats can climb high and tend to paw things out of curiosity, which may result in an accident.
Do Some Research On House Plants
Just like people, some pets are more sensitive to certain plants than others. It's a good idea to do some research before getting a plant to make sure it's safe for your pet.
This way, you'll know what to do if your pet decides to play with the plant or, even worse, eat it! Of course, it's best to avoid poisonous plants or ones with thorns and needles. It might also help to keep them out of reach, like on a high shelf.
Check Fences For Holes Or Slots
One of the first things pet owners often think about when bringing home an animal is how to make sure there's no way for them to escape. This is where checking fences comes in handy.
Fences that have holes and slots aren't just hazardous if the pet can slip through them, though. Pets can also get their head or paw stuck in the fence or end up with a splinter. Modify fences so that they are as low-risk as possible.