How to Keep Your Pets Safe at Home

Pet Care 101

Pets are a lot like people. They need nutritious food, fresh water, and proper shelter in order to thrive. They also require exercise and stimulation as well as a clean place to use the bathroom regularly. You’ll also want to ensure they’re getting regular check-ups and taking any medications they require.1

Pets are also a lot like people in that each one is unique, and they have very different needs when it comes to things like nutrition, enrichment, security, and safety. When caring for a pet, make sure you’re getting expert, species- and breed-specific advice to make sure your friend is living their best life.

There are a few universal dangers, though, that you need to be aware of if you’re bringing a new pet into your home, or if you’re worried your home might hold unseen or unknown threats for your current pet. Let’s talk about those now.

Most Common Household Dangers for Pets

Indoors

Before a baby starts to grow and explore its environment, one of the first things most parents do is baby-proof their home. It’s a good idea to do the same thing when you bring a new pet home, or if you’re looking to better protect the pet you already have.3 Let’s look at some indoor problem areas:

• Windows and doors: Doors should be kept closed, and windows should have secure screens to prevent escape artists from getting loose.
• Balconies: While your balcony’s railing is sufficient to keep you from slipping through, the same might not be true for your dog or cat. If they’re going to be out there, make sure there's a sufficient barrier between them and the edge.
• Washers and dryers: Keep the doors and lids to your washers and dryers closed at all times, and you should double-check them before putting your laundry in. Pets are known to hop in here for a quick snooze.
• Chimneys and fireplaces: Fireplace ash can be harmful if consumed, so make sure your pet can’t access the area by using a screen. Also make sure your flue is closed so Tabby doesn’t try to climb up there.
• Loose electrical cords: Pets can be electrocuted if they decide to chew on a cord plugged into a wall. Make sure your wires are hidden by running them under carpets or behind appliances.
• Garbage cans: What can we say — pets love to eat gross stuff. Make sure the lid of your garbage can fastens securely to prevent Fido from wolfing down something that could cause him harm.
• Bathrooms: The dog drinking out of the toilet is a common trope that can cause illness, so keep the lid closed when you’re not using it. Also be aware that the chemicals you use to keep your bathroom clean can make your pet sick if they’re licked up or walked on.

That about covers the major indoor hazards, so let’s move on to the areas outside your home where your pet might find themselves.

Outdoors

Some folks choose a more laissez-faire approach to pet rearing, allowing them to spend time or live outdoors. Be aware, though, that there are many dangers out there — even in your own backyard.4 These might include:

• Swimming pools: It might be easy for you to get in and out of your pool, but if your pet falls in, they might not be able to. Pet ramps are great to install if your four-legged friend is going to be playing around the pool.
• Fences and gates: If you want to make sure your pup stays put when she’s outside, you’re going to want to periodically walk the perimeter of your property to make sure your fence is solid and your gates are securely latched. Fence posts rot, and dogs like to dig, so keep that in mind.
• Roads: The unfortunate reality is that pets are hit by cars every day. Make sure you’re aware of the roadways around your home, and take extra precautions to prevent your pet from reaching them. If you’re going for a walk, make sure you have a secure leash and a well-fitting harness.
• Predators: At the end of the day, animals are animals. Simply put, they sometimes eat each other. If your dog or cat is going to be spending time outside, make sure you’re aware of the predators in your area, including venomous snakes, alligators, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, and bears.

So that takes care of indoor and outdoor threats. Let’s take a look at one last category that’s a cause for concern among every pet owner.

Food

If you’re a pet owner, you know they love to eat. And by that, we mean eat everything. The bad news is that your pet isn’t going to instinctively know if a particular food is dangerous for them. That’s why you need to prevent them from accessing items that might be delicious for humans, but harmful for them.5 This includes:

• Toxic foods: Things we love to eat can cause serious illness or even death in our pets. Chocolate, garlic, coffee, macadamia nuts, dairy products, grapes, avocados, oils, onions, and alcohol can all be harmful to animals.
• Toxic compounds: The chemicals you keep in your home can also be extremely harmful to your pets. Things like antifreeze, household cleaners, drain cleaners, pesticides, and detergents can be toxic.
• Medications: While they might be helpful for us, medications can be harmful or fatal if ingested by your pet. Ibuprofen and aspirin, antidepressants, diet pills, and antibiotics are all dangerous for pets.
• Toxic houseplants: Some plants may be pretty to look at, but they are pretty dangerous for your pets. Common houseplants like pothos, spider plants, tulips, lilies, and eucalyptus are all harmful if your cat or dog decides to take a munch.6
• Nonfood ingestibles: Things we would never consider food sometimes look appetizing to your pet. Make sure they don’t eat coins, hair ties, rubber bands, paper clips, twist ties, paper towels, and other household items.

Now a lot of these hazards make sense to pet owners, but there are a few threats that you might not even know you were exposing your furry friend to. Let’s cover those next.

Six Things You Didn’t Know Were Dangerous for Your Pet

No one wants to put their loved one — two-legged or four-legged — in harm's way. But there are a few activities well-meaning pet owners engage in that they might not be aware are dangerous.8 Let’s take a look at those now.

• Fetching a stick: There’s nothing more classic Americana than playing fetch with your dog. However, every year thousands of dogs are injured by running with sticks in their mouths. If you’re going to throw something for your dog to retrieve, pick something safer like a soft toy or rubber ball.
• Retractable leashes: Most retractable leashes are made of thinner material than their traditional counterparts. Grabbing it while the dog is attempting to run can cause lacerations and even amputations. Stick with a thicker, sturdier tether.
• Sunscreen: Many folks know their pet should be protected from the sun, but you should avoid using sunscreen made for humans on them, as it can be toxic.
• Mold: Pets’ immune systems are often less robust than humans, meaning it’s harder for them to fight off environmental contaminants like common household mold. Toxic molds can cause illness and even death for pets if they’re exposed.9
• Ice: When it's hot out, many pet owners like to put ice in water bowls. While dogs and cats alike enjoy playing with and eating ice, it can lead to damaged or broken teeth. This can be painful and lead to dangerous infections.
• Table scraps: Slipping a bit of gristle to the dog might seem innocuous enough, but human food is rarely good for animals. Fatty foods especially, like bacon, can lead to serious and painful digestive issues.
• Cars: The threats cars pose to animals are multifold, but here we’re specifically recommending against leaving your pet inside your car, even if it’s only for a moment.

Now a lot of these dangers we’ve laid out can be applied to dogs and cats alike, but let’s break it down even further and talk about each type of animal individually.

Dog-Specific Concerns

Dogs are man’s best friend for a reason. They’re loyal, they’re friendly, and they’re a joy to be around. With that in mind, though, there are several dog-specific household dangers we want to highlight. Some of these were touched on above, but we want to go into more detail here.

• Chocolate: Chocolate is a treat for us, but it’s poison for dogs. It contains a chemical called theobromine as well as the more commonly known caffeine. Both of these are difficult for dogs to metabolize and can lead to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, excessive urination, and elevated heart levels. If you suspect your dog consumed chocolate, call your vet right away.10
• Trash: What dog doesn’t love eating out of the trash? While it seems like a buffet for them, it’s actually one of the most dangerous activities your pup can engage in. There are tons of food items that humans enjoy that are harmful to dogs, and objects like bones and bottle caps can easily become lodged in their throats.
• Heat: Dogs — particularly small ones — overheat a lot quicker than we do. This means heat exhaustion and heat stroke come on faster and can have fatal consequences. Also, remember that you’re wearing shoes and your dog is not when walking on hot surfaces like asphalt. Burns are common during the summer months.11

Cat-Specific Concerns

• Plants: Some cats absolutely love munching on plants. We’re not really sure why, but some experts think it's for added nutrients or fiber. Or maybe they just like the taste — who knows with those guys.12 With that in mind, it's important to know many, many houseplants are toxic for cats.
• String: What’s more adorable than a cat playing with a ball of yarn? While cute, make sure you’re aware of the dangers. String and other toys can easily be swallowed and cause dangerous intestinal blockages.13
• Enclosed places: Cats love climbing and crawling into hiding places, especially if they’re warm and comfortable. This means your dryer or your recliner might be a potentially dangerous hangout for your feline friend. Make sure you’re checking these spots before you sit down or turn on the spin cycle.

That about does it on dog and cat safety, but we have some final thoughts before we go.

Final Thoughts on Pet Safety

Dogs and cats alike are exceptional companions, and we want to do everything we can for our animal friends’ protection. By taking everything in this guide into account, you’re going to be well on your way to creating a safe home for your favorite animals.

With that in mind, though, you can never anticipate every danger, and despite your best efforts, your pet might still run into trouble. If your pet is acting strange or seems off, always seek the guidance of medical professionals.