Pet-Proofing Your Home: Room-by-Room Safety Checklist
Share
Before bringing a new pet home, make sure your space is safe. This room-by-room checklist covers the most common hazards.
Kitchen
- ✅ Secure trash cans with lids (chicken bones are deadly for dogs)
- ✅ Store cleaning products in locked cabinets
- ✅ Keep chocolate, grapes, onions, and xylitol out of reach
- ✅ Use stove knob covers if you have a curious cat
Living Room
- ✅ Secure electrical cords (puppies love to chew them)
- ✅ Remove or elevate toxic plants (lilies, pothos, sago palm)
- ✅ Anchor tall furniture and TVs (cats climb everything)
- ✅ Pick up small objects that could be swallowed
Bedroom
- ✅ Keep medications in closed containers
- ✅ Store hair ties and rubber bands (cats eat these)
- ✅ Check that window screens are secure
Bathroom
- ✅ Keep toilet lid closed (especially for small dogs and cats)
- ✅ Store all medications and supplements in cabinets
- ✅ Remove accessible dental floss and cotton swabs
Garage/Outdoor
- ✅ Store antifreeze securely (lethal even in small amounts)
- ✅ Check fencing for gaps
- ✅ Remove rat poison and insecticides
- ✅ Keep garden chemicals locked away