Pet-Proofing Your Home

Dog and cats (especially kittens) can be very curious. Here's how to keep your companion animal safe in your home.

Kitchens/bathrooms

Use childproof latches to keep little paws from prying open cabinets
Place medications, cleaners, chemicals, and laundry supplies on high shelves
Keep trash cans covered or inside a latched cabinet
Check for and block any small spaces, nooks, or holes inside cabinets or behind washer/dryer units
Make sure your kitten hasn't jumped into the dryer before you turn it on
Keep foods out of reach (even if the food isn't harmful, the wrapper could be)
Keep the toilet lid closed to prevent drowning or drinking of harmful cleaning chemicals

Living/family room

Place dangling wires from lamps, VCRs, televisions, stereos, and telephones out of reach
Put away children's toys and games
Put away knick-knacks until your kitten has the coordination not to knock them over
Check all those places where your vacuum cleaner doesn't fit, but your puppy or kitten does, for dangerous items, like string
Move common house plants that may be poisonous out of reach. Don't forget hanging plants that can be jumped onto from nearby surfaces
Make sure all heating/air vents have covers
Put away all sewing and craft notions, especially thread

Garage

Move all chemicals to high shelves or behind secure doors
Clean all antifreeze from the floor and driveway, as one taste can be lethal to animals
Bang on your car hood to ensure that your kitten (or any neighborhood cat) has not hidden in the engine for warmth
Keep all sharp objects and tools out of reach

Bedrooms

Keep laundry and shoes behind closed doors (drawstrings and buttons can cause major problems if swallowed)
Keep any medications, lotions, or cosmetics off accessible surfaces (like the bedside table)
Move electrical and phone wires out of reach of chewing
Be careful that you don't close your kitten in closets or dresser drawers
And look out for paws, noses, and tails when you shut doors behind you or scoot chairs.

*This article was reprinted with permission from the American Humane Association.