Puppies learn by sniffing, chewing, and exploring their homes. Just as we childproof our homes to protect young children before the baby can walk or the toddler pays a visit, we must also ensure little puppies can explore their world safely.
In the Kitchen
The kitchen contains many dangers, including a few that might surprise first time pet owners. Make sure the puppy has no access to:
- Trash. Trash cans may contain spoiled food and other foods poisonous to pets, not to mention choking objects and sharp things like broken glass. Stow the trash can inside a cabinet with a child lock on it so a prying nose can’t open it, or buy a trash can the puppy can’t tip over with a securely fastened.
- Food. Educate yourself about which foods are poisonous to pets, and never let your puppy have access to chocolate, coffee grounds, nuts and raisins. Make sure plates of food are never left within reach and store food in closed containers, out of reach. For a list of dangerous foods visit the Animal Poison Control Center website.
- Cleaning products. Keep them well out of reach or put locks on cabinets. Keep your puppy out of the kitchen when you are cleaning to avoid exposure to fumes or accidental ingestion of poison.
- Medications or nutritional supplements. If you spill that bottle of pain reliever or herbal supplement on the floor and don’t find all the pills, it could spell disaster for your puppy.
- Sharp objects and heavy objects. Knives, skewers and other kitchen objects could seriously injure a puppy if he mistakes them for a toy. Use common sense and keep these out of reach.
Bedrooms and living areas
You and your puppy will enjoy relaxing in your living room or napping in your bedroom, but before you doze off and can’t watch your puppy, make sure these rooms are safe:
- Electrical cords. Puppies cannot differentiate a cord from a toy. They may bite at or pull on it, causing the lamp or appliance to fall, or worse, burning or shocking themselves. Tuck cords out of sight, use cord covers and unplug appliances not in use.
- Strangulation hazards. Puppies may be tempted to pull on long curtains or dangling cords on blinds. Remove or shorten (temporarily) window treatments, and make sure any hanging cords are kept well above the height a puppy could jump.
- Choking hazards. Tiny objects quickly can cause choking or an intestinal obstruction. Watch for small, tempting objects on the floor and low coffee tables and nightstands, such as earrings, paper clips, loose change, bits of string, the rubber band from the newspaper, even the batteries inside the remote control (and the remote control itself). You’d be amazed what vets have found inside puppies.
- Slippery surfaces. Small area rugs can slip and slide under a running puppy, and injure growing joints and bones.
- House plants. Many houseplants are toxic to pets. Keep all houseplants out of reach.
- Other toxins. Keep potpourri and candles out of a dog’s reach avoid chemical carpet cleaners, spray dusting chemicals, and other chemical cleaners on surfaces where puppies spend time. These can cause toxic or severe allergic reactions.
Bathrooms dangers
The bathroom can contain some of the most dangerous poisons for pets. Make sure the following are safely secured:
- Medications. Keep all medicines in a cabinet above the dog’s reach, and find a high shelf or shower caddy for those sweet-smelling soaps, shampoos, conditioners and even toothpastes.
- Cleaners. Stow it up high and only use it with the puppy out of the room.
- "Toys." Have a shelf or hanging bag for children’s tub toys – look very much like puppy’s playthings.
- Tissue. Find a way to safeguard toilet tissue, which puppies love to rip apart and drag all over the room. And be sure all women’s sanitary products are stored out of reach; they can cause serious problems if chewed and swallowed.
If you have a garage or a yard, you’re not done! See tips for Puppy Proofing your Garage and Yard.
