How to Create a Safe Home for Your Pet

Your home should be a comfortable place for your pet to eat, sleep, play, and explore. But everyday items around the house can become dangerous when a curious pet decides to investigate them.

A few simple changes can reduce common risks and make your home safer for dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, and other pets.

1. Get down to your pet's level

One of the easiest ways to find hazards is to look around from your pet's point of view.

Check underneath furniture, behind appliances, and around corners. You may notice cables, small objects, or other things that are easy for a pet to reach.

2. Keep medications and chemicals away

Medicines, cleaning products, detergents, and other household chemicals should be stored somewhere your pet can't access.

A closed cabinet is usually safer than leaving bottles on a low shelf. Remember that some pets can open lightweight cabinet doors.

3. Hide electrical cables

Some pets, especially puppies, kittens, rabbits, and other animals that like to chew, may bite electrical cords.

Use cable covers or keep cords behind furniture where possible. Unplug items you're not using and replace damaged cables.

4. Secure windows and balconies

Open windows and balconies can create serious risks for pets. Cats in particular may climb onto window ledges or try to squeeze through small openings.

Use secure screens or other suitable barriers, and don't rely on a pet simply knowing how high the drop is.

5. Check your houseplants

Some plants can be harmful to pets if they're chewed or eaten. Curious cats, dogs, birds, and rabbits may investigate leaves when you're not watching.

Check every plant in your home and keep potentially harmful plants away from your pets. If you aren't sure whether a plant is safe, ask your veterinarian before keeping it within reach.

6. Keep small objects off the floor

Coins, batteries, rubber bands, toys, jewelry, and other small objects can become choking or swallowing hazards.

Make a habit of picking up small items as soon as you're finished using them. This matters even more when you have a young or very curious pet.

7. Create a quiet space

Every pet needs somewhere it can retreat when it wants to rest.

A bed, crate, covered area, perch, or quiet corner can give your pet a place to relax away from loud sounds and busy parts of the home.

8. Make food areas safe

Keep pet food in a sealed container and store it somewhere your pet can't open on its own.

Human food can also be a problem. Keep foods such as chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and products containing xylitol away from pets.

9. Choose toys carefully

Toys should match your pet's size, age, and chewing habits.

Inspect toys regularly. Remove anything that has broken into small pieces, developed sharp edges, or contains loose parts your pet could swallow.

10. Secure doors and escape routes

Pets can disappear surprisingly quickly when a door is left open. This can happen when visitors arrive, deliveries come to the door, or someone is carrying groceries inside.

Make sure everyone in the household knows which doors need extra attention. If your pet tends to rush toward doors, basic training can help too.

11. Keep your pet away from dangerous heat

Kitchens, heaters, fireplaces, candles, and hot cooking surfaces can cause burns or other injuries.

Keep pets at a safe distance while cooking and never leave them alone around an open flame.

12. Prepare for emergencies

Keep your veterinarian's phone number somewhere easy to find. It's also useful to know which nearby clinic provides emergency care.

If your pet gets into a potentially toxic substance, don't wait for symptoms before asking for professional advice.

A simple pet-safe home checklist

• Medications and chemicals are stored securely.
• Electrical cables are covered or out of reach.
• Windows and balconies are properly secured.
• Potentially harmful plants are removed or kept away.
• Small objects are picked up from the floor.
• Pet food is stored in a secure container.
• Toys are checked for damage.
• Your pet has a quiet place to rest.
• Doors and escape routes are secure.
• Veterinary and emergency contact information is easy to find.

A safe home doesn't have to be complicated. Look at your rooms from your pet's perspective, remove obvious hazards, and check the setup regularly. Your pet will probably find the one thing you forgot anyway (they're very good at that).