New Pet 101: How to Keep Your Home Clean and Safe

Are you welcoming a new pet into the household? Congratulations!

This is an exciting time for the whole family, but it also requires the proper preparations. You wouldn’t bring a new baby home without getting the right infant gear, and the same goes for a new pet. Plus, there are many hidden dangers that you might not even be aware of. For example, did you know that grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs? Or that choking on an object (i.e., socks, shoes, bones) is one of the most common reasons for visiting the emergency room?

To help keep the newest member of your family sale, we’ve shared

some of the best ways to keep your home clean and safe!

Kitchens and Bathrooms

Think of your new pet as a toddler that has the ability to get into cabinets and drawers. Keep locks on your cabinets and eliminate access to potentially dangerous items such as medicines and household cleaners. Choose trash cans that are hard to knock over, and refrain from using ant traps or mouse traps to manage household pests.

Living Rooms

Bundle and tie cords so that your new pet doesn’t chew on the wires. It’s dangerous for them and inconvenient for you. Research any household plants in the home and make sure they are not toxic to animals. Azaleas, daffodil bulbs and daylilies are all poisonous. Now is also a good time to place any breakables out of reach.

Bedrooms

Puppies and kittens love to chew on clothes, shoes and shoelaces, so keep these items out of sight. Makeup and medications should be stored in a cabinet or drawer that your pet can’t access. Pay attention to wires from your lighting, television or other gadgets. To keep your pet out of the bed, position a pet bed next to it. Smaller dogs that are prone to back problems can benefit from pet ladders.

Stairs

Stairs are dangerous to young pets, just as they can be to small children. Puppies can tumble down the stairs, resulting in serious injuries or even death. Some experts recommend keeping puppies off the stairs until they are 12 months old. The Stair Barrier is a practical solution to

Keeping your puppy off the stairs. When you can’t be there to watch your pet, simply roll out the gate to confine them to the lower level.

Outdoors

It’s amazing what pets can find outdoors when they are being curious! Inspect your fence for holes or gaps and move hazardous chemicals and pesticides to the garage or a locked shed. Also be mindful of the types of lawn care products you use on your grass, trees and shrubs. Many of these products are toxic.

Being a pet owner is a big responsibility. Do your part to create a clean and safe environment for your new puppy or kitten. These tiny pets can get into a lot of trouble when you’re not watching, so you must always be thinking two steps ahead!