In today’s world, we can all agree that life as a pet can look and feel very different when their human companions aren’t around. Many common impacts of this time may leave our furry friends feeling lonely and anxious, with tampered food and ruined furniture to show for it. For this reason, if you are a pet parent or pet sitter and ever need to leave your animal babies home alone, here’s how to pet-proof your home.

Let’s face it, as long as we have animals around us, there will always be a need for added supervision to what behavioral patterns they display, especially when left alone. With pet-proofing guidelines in place, you can rest assured that they will be a lot less tempted or able to create any pieces of art out of household items.

It’s normally quite common to think that training your pets should be enough to keep them from misbehaving, but if your animal is still a youngster or not as responsive to basic commands, then pet proofing is definitely a must for your household.  

The Ultimate Pet Proofing Breakdown

Does your pet have a lot of access around the house? Not sure where to start? When it comes to pet-proofing, you need to make sure to cover all the bases. Not only does this help prevent damage to that expensive leather coach, but it also keeps your precious furry friends out of harm’s way. No need to panic. We break it down for you, room by room, so that whether you’re out running errands or just want some peace and quiet, your home stays intact. 

Living Room

When it comes to the common areas of the house like the living room, we can all admit that a lot of cuddling, licking and scratching is probably a given. To avoid any foul play between your pet and the furniture, take these pet-proofing steps:

• Invest in anti-scratch tape for your couch and coffee table

• Put away any electrical wires and cables to prevent chewing

• Place coverings over HVAC vents and openings

• Disable any physical access to exercise equipment when not in use

• Keep any small items on high shelves and ledges 

• Leave pee pads in spaces within visible proximity 

Bedroom

A lot can affect the level of organization we maintain in the bedroom, and pets are no exception. Whether you sleep with your fur babies closeby, or they just occasionally sneak in, it’s important to keep the space tidy while implementing basic housekeeping measures for everyone and everything’s protection. 

• Make sure to keep the doors shut to keep unwanted paws away

• Stow away any wires or cords

• If your pet sleeps in the bedroom, create a comfy and cozy bed so it can have its own space

• Double-check that no plants in the room are poisonous

• Always make sure to clear the floor

• Have the made properly made to avoid digging or buried treasure surprises

• Place any liquids or cosmetic products in the highest places in the room

Bathroom

Your sense of privacy may have shifted since adopting your dog, cat or any uncommon indoor pet. As naturally curious creatures, it’s not uncommon for our pets to sometimes want to accompany us, even in the bathroom. By following these pet-proofing protocols, you can let go of the need to keep an eye on them the entire time, and instead just focus on your personal hygienic needs.

• Keep your toilets nicely shut

• Empty out the trash as often as possible

• Always put away any small items like hair ties to avoid choking hazards

• Invest in bitter spray for cabinet and drawer corners

• Put away any rugs that run the risk of tears or potty mistakes

• Place any medicine bottles on elevated countertops

• Remove toilet paper from the roll until time of use

Kitchen

When it comes to the kitchen, we know that that’s where we spend most of our time at home, pets included. With stored food and prepared meals day in and day out, this is basically the ultimate wonderland for any curious cat or democratic doggo. To keep the kitchen and the kitty out of harm’s way, here are a few tips:

• Insert a pet gate door at the entrance so you don’t risk tripping over your pets as they walk beside you

• Cover all garbage and recycling to avoid messes or spills

• Close off any narrow entrances in between electrical appliances and kitchen cabinets 

• Always put away any sharp objects immediately after use

• Invest in some type of stove guard to keep your kitty away from heated counters

•  Put away any liquids, such as laundry detergent or cleaning products on high shelves or inside covered drawers

• Invest in non-toxic cleaning products to prevent poisonous ingestions

Yard

Everyone knows there are few things dogs love more than running around in an outside space. Outdoors cats, whether they like to roam free or just enjoy people watching from the porch, are also big fans of outside access. To make sure your paw pals are safe and secure, here are a few pet-proofing precautions:

• Make sure to throw away any food or trash that could potentially accumulate or hide in tucked away corners

• Maintain a regular practice of cleaning up pet waste to avoid infestation

• Close off any holes in fences that may be used as escape routes

• Double check that all plants are not poisonous to animals

• Do not let your pet go into your backyard when using any pesticides or artificial fertilizers

What Pet Sitters Need to Know About Pet Safety

Have you considered hiring a pet sitter? Having someone looking after your furry companion can significantly reduce the chances of any harm being caused to both your pet and your household. There are certain things to keep in mind when hiring a pet sitter. Most importantly, you want to make sure that she will be able to watch over your pet for the duration that you need. 

As a pet sitter, is it your responsibility to make sure that the furry friend you are tending to is happy and healthy. It is not uncommon for some animals to suffer from anxiety disorder while their owners are gone. Recognizing the symptoms and learning about the different ways you can help alleviate this, is a great way to set yourself up for a good time while mommy or daddy are out. 

Pet-Proofing for a Pleasant and Peaceful Playtime

At the end of the day, the best thing you can do for your pet will always be to give them lots of love and attention. The second best, is to pet-proof your home. This, in tandem with homeowners insurance coverage, will keep your home protected from any and every petty problem.