Pet Proofing Your Home: Complete Checklist

A pet-proofed home prevents accidents and gives you peace of mind — whether you're in a studio apartment or a house with a yard.

Kitchen

• Secure trash cans with locking lids or inside cabinets.
• Child-lock cabinets holding cleaners and chemicals.
• Keep counters clear of food — especially chocolate, grapes, onions, and xylitol products.
• Block gaps behind and beside appliances.

Living Room

• Bundle and cover electrical cords; unplug chargers when not in use.
• Remove or elevate toxic plants.
• Secure heavy items and wobbly furniture cats might climb.
• Put away small chewable items: remote batteries, hair ties, coins, string.

Bathroom

• Keep medications, razors, and cotton products in closed cabinets.
• Close toilet lids (curious kittens can fall in; toilet cleaners are toxic).
• Store toilet paper out of shredding reach for puppies.

Bedroom

• Check for dropped medications, jewelry, and hair accessories.
• Secure dangling blind cords — a strangulation risk for cats.

Balcony, Yard & Garage

• Screen or block balcony rails for cats and small dogs.
• Store antifreeze, fertilizer, and pest baits completely out of reach.
• Check fencing for gaps before off-leash yard time.

Cat-Specific Hazards

String, ribbon, tinsel, and rubber bands (linear foreign bodies are surgical emergencies), open dryers and washing machines, and reclining chairs.

Ongoing Maintenance

Re-scan every room seasonally and before holidays — see toxic foods and decorations. Do a "puppy's-eye view" crawl: anything at nose height is fair game.