Puppy-proofing your Home

Kittens and puppies are naturally inquisitive, which can often lead to serious injury. Here are some tips on how you can make your house safer for your new arrival.

1. That's shocking! -- Young animals love to chew when they're teething, so make sure to keep electrical wires out of reach or use a pet repellent spray such as Bitter Apple.

2. Treats can be threats! – Never give turkey, chicken or rib bones as treats; they can splinter and cause serious injury to the mouth, throat, stomach or intestinal tract.

3. Common household killers – Read the label on all household cleaners to see if you need to keep it away from your pets. Pets are attracted to the odor and sweet taste of antifreeze, so be sure to store it high and tightly sealed and wipe up any spills on the garage floor immediately! Many decorative houseplants are poisonous to animals; see our poisonous plants page for a full listing. Finally, if you treat your lawn with chemicals, keep pets away for the recommended amount of time on the label.

4. But it fit yesterday! – Puppies and kittens grow rapidly. Collars and harnesses can be rapidly outgrown, which can lead to serious wounds. Be sure that you can fit 2 fingers between the pet's collar and neck.

5. Take care of personal care items and medications – Cosmetics, shampoos, skin creams, hair solutions (perm, dye), depilatories, suntan lotions, sleeping pills, antihistamines, acetaminophen and ibuprofen can all be lethal to pets!

6. A dip tip – Keep covers on hot tubs and swimming pools at all times when they are not in use. Kittens and young puppies can fall in and not be able to get out.

7. The heat is on – Watch out for hot irons, coffee pots and space heaters. Kittens and puppies will suddenly be able to jump to new heights because they are growing so quickly.

8. It's not a toy – Don't leave plastic bags out. Inquisitive young animals, especially kittens since cats are known for playing with bags, can suffocate.

9. Cozy up – Always use a fireplace screen so your new pet does not adopt this area as a new play place!

10. Do you eat with that mouth? – As a rule of thumb, if any of all of something will fit in a puppy or kitten's (or a baby for that matter) mouth, it is dangerous. Watch out for cigarette butts, rubber bands, balloons, sewing needles, thread, string, ribbons, and pantyhose. Because what goes in must come out, surgery is often required to remove these items.

These tips provided by Noblesville Veterinary Clinic and Pfizer Animal Health.

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