Pet proofing your home

Just as with young children, the best way to keep your four-legged friends out of trouble is by removing anything that might cause them harm.

The first thing you need to do is understand your pet’s natural tendencies and expect that it is going to cause havoc in your life. Once you’re okay with that, you can set about removing any potential dangers and give your pet ‘safe toys’ to keep it occupied.

Understand the beast

Cats climb – curtains, bookshelves, cupboards. They also curl up in snug places, such as under your bed or in the sock drawer left open in your rush to get to work.

Puppies chew – bones, shoes, anything. A plastic lid on a pill bottle won’t withstand a determined pup.

Protect them

Like small children, kittens and puppies are curious and they eat almost anything. Keep poisons out of reach and quickly clean up any spills.

Pups also like to chew things. Make sure your pet has plenty of bones and its own toys, and pick up small toys, batteries, cords or anything it could choke on.

Chocolate can be poisonous for dogs, so don’t give them any and make sure it is always out of reach. Likewise, Peace Lilies poison cats; ask your local nursery for pet-friendly plants.

Keep the toilet lid down, the iron cord tucked away and always check the dryer before use – cats love to climb in for a sleep.

Long way down

If you have a balcony, make sure your cat can’t jump up onto the railing – it’s a long way down if puss can’t get a foothold. Keep access doors firmly closed at all times or enclose the balcony with bamboo screens.

Make sure the garbage bin has a tight-fitting lid, as curious pets can tip it over and cut themselves on tins, bones or other sharp objects.

The best way to keep your pet safe is to be proactive and prevent it from eating dangerous objects or getting into a potentially harmful situation. If you suspect your pet has been poisoned, contact the vet immediately.