Bringing home a puppy is one of life’s greatest joys. They bring unconditional love and unending joy – but they can also be a lot of work! Making sure your home is pet-proofed for your new pup is essential to avoid potential accidents or damage. The good news is that it doesn’t take much to get your house ready for fido. All you need is to follow some simple steps to make sure they’re safe while they explore their new environment. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through 10 of the best ways to pet-proof your home for a new puppy, so you can rest easy knowing your furry friend will be safe and sound even while you’re fast asleep or at work.
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Table of Contents
Get Rid of Any Toxins
If you’re bringing a new puppy into your home, the first thing you need to do is get rid of any toxins that could be harmful to your pet. This means taking a close look at your cleaning supplies and making sure they’re safe for use around animals.
Many common household cleaners contain chemicals that can be harmful to dogs if ingested, so it’s important to choose products that are specifically designed for pet-friendly homes. You should also keep any potentially toxic plants out of reach of your puppy, as some common houseplants can be poisonous to dogs if eaten.
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Do a Deep Clean
A deep clean of your home is one of the most important steps in pet proofing for a new puppy. This will help to remove any potential hazards that could harm your puppy, as well as make your home more comfortable and welcoming for your new furry friend.
When doing a deep clean of your home, be sure to pay special attention to the following areas:
- Floors: Vacuum and mop all floors to remove any dirt, dust, or debris that could potentially hurt your puppy. Be sure to move any furniture or rugs that could be a trip hazard.
- Kitchen: Clean all counters and surfaces to remove any food or grease that could attract pests. Sweep and mop the floor to remove any crumbs or spills.
- Bathrooms: Scrub all toilets, sinks, and showers/tubs to remove any bacteria or harmful chemicals. Sweep and mop the floors to remove any mold or mildew.
- Bedrooms: Vacuum all carpets and rugs to remove any dust or dander. Wash all bedding in hot water to eliminate any germs or bacteria.
- Put Away Valuables
If you have valuables in your home, it’s important to put them away before bringing a new puppy home. Puppies, whether we’re talking about a new border collie puppy or a kelpie cross, are curious creatures and will explore everything they can get their paws on. This can include chewing on furniture, urinating on carpets, and getting into drawers and cabinets.
To prevent your puppy from damaging your valuables, put them away in a safe place where they can’t reach them. This may mean storing them in a closet or keeping them in a room that your puppy is not allowed in. If you have items that are particularly precious to you, consider keeping them in a locked cabinet or box.
By taking this precaution, you’ll help ensure that your valuables stay safe and sound while your new puppy explores their new home.
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Block Off Dangerous Areas
The first step to pet proofing your home for a new puppy is to block off dangerous areas. This means making sure that any areas where your puppy could potentially hurt themselves are inaccessible. This includes the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and any other rooms where there are potentially harmful items or chemicals.
In the kitchen, make sure that all cupboards and drawers are securely shut and that cleaning products are out of reach. Puppies are curious creatures and will eat anything, so it’s important to make sure that only safe items are within their reach.
In the bathroom, keep toilet lids down and close the door to prevent your pup from getting into any dangerous chemicals. If you have a laundry room, be sure to keep all detergents and other chemicals out of reach or behind a closed door.
By taking these precautions, you can help ensure that your new puppy stays safe and healthy in their new home.
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Get Creative with Storage
With a new puppy also comes some challenges, especially since you need to be extra careful when it comes to storing your things. One way to do this is to pet proof your home by getting creative with storage.
Here are some tips:
- Put away any items that could be harmful to your pup, like cleaning supplies or medications. You can use childproofing latches on cabinets to keep them out of reach.
- Create a designated area for your puppy’s food and water bowls. This will help prevent spills and messes elsewhere in the house.
- Invest in some good storage bins or baskets to keep all of your puppy’s toys organized. This way they won’t end up underfoot or getting lost.
- If you have any low furniture that your pup could jump on, consider storing it away or protecting it with a cover until they’re bigger.
By taking some simple precautions and getting creative with storage, you can make your home safe and comfortable for both you and your new puppy.
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Invest in sturdy and safe furniture
- If you have pets, it’s important to make sure your furniture is sturdy and safe. Pets can damage furniture with their claws or teeth, so it’s important to choose pieces that are built to last. Also, be sure to avoid any sharp edges or corners that could hurt your pet if they bumped into them. Lastly, it’s always a good idea to have a few throws or blankets around for your pet to snuggle up in.
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Cover up electrical outlets
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Keep your trash can inaccessible
- If you have pets, it’s important to make sure that they can’t get access to any electrical outlets. One way to do this is to cover up the outlets with child-proof covers. This will help to prevent your pet from being able to stick their paw in and get shocked. Another way to pet proof your outlets is to use cordless options where possible. This way, even if your pet does manage to get access to the outlet, they won’t be able to shock themselves on any exposed wires. If you have a pet, chances are they’ll try to get into your trash can at some point. To prevent this, make sure to keep your trash can in an inaccessible place, such as on a high shelf or in a cupboard.
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Get a pet gate
- If you have a pet, it’s important to pet proof your home to keep them safe. One way to do this is to get a pet gate. Pet gates come in all different shapes and sizes, so you can find one that fits your needs. They can be used to block off areas of the house that you don’t want your pet to access, like the kitchen or the stairs. Or, they can be used as a way to contain your pet in one area, like a playroom or bedroom. Pet gates are also great for travel. If you’re going to be staying in a hotel or vacation rental, bringing along a pet gate can help make sure your furry friend doesn’t wander off and get lost. Plus, it can give you some peace of mind knowing that your pet is safely contained while you’re away from home.
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Keep your pet’s nails trimmed
Keeping your pet’s nails trimmed is one of the best ways to pet proof your home. Not only will it help keep your floors and furniture looking nice, but it will also help prevent your pet from scratching themselves or getting their nails caught on things.
If you have a cat, consider investing in cat posts or cat scratchers to prevent them from scratching up your home furniture.These are only some of the ways that you can pet-proof your home. Remember that your pets are going to be curious about their new surroundings – and they’re extremely motivated to sniff, bite, and find. Because of their innate curiosity, it’s basically impossible to stop them from finding the next interesting thing in your home. So aside from pet-proofing your home, remember to always keep them supervised for their first few days or weeks, just to be sure!
