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You’ve added a new member to your family. Congratulations! The years to come are going to be one of the happiest and most rewarding times, not only for you but for your furry friend as well. It’s essential to make sure that you’re bringing your new pet to a home that is safe for them to grow and learn, and the environment you choose to share with them is as friendly, nurturing, and happy as it can be.
Here are five steps to puppy-proof your home for when you’re ready to bring in the new addition to the family.
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1. Unplug electrical chords
To a puppy, electrical cords are the best of all goodies. They enjoy chewing on headphones and cables connected to anything. Unfortunately, cords are always present in homes. What you can do is keep wires secured and keep an eye on your dog to ensure they are not chewing on electrical cords. To hide cords from your dog, you can use spiral cable wrap, cord concealers, or PVC pipe.
2. Block stairs with a gate
A pet gate is the most valuable investment you can make when you bring in a new puppy to your home. Because falling down the stairs might result in serious injury, ensure any doors leading to stairways are shut and any other steps are blocked off with a pet gate.
3. Put the human food out of reach
It doesn’t take long for puppies to figure out where the treats are kept. When you’re not able to observe, keep human food, especially those that are known to be hazardous to dogs, safely stored to avoid messes and harmful ingestion.
Even their dog food should be kept in a safe place to avoid overeating. You can always look for safe treats and food that are best for your dogs based on their needs with the help of Freshpet reviews.
4. Put away small objects that can be choking hazards
Puppies can find anything and everything interesting and get themselves into a lot of trouble if you don’t keep an eye on them. That is why you should store items where they belong and out of reach of the little ones. A lost ring or bobby pins lying around the bedroom floor can become dangerous to your dog, so be sure to keep your space as clean as possible.
5. Keep medications out of reach
If you have the habit of leaving medicines on the counter and returning later in the day to take them, just like many of us do, then it is time to break that bad habit.
Keep all of your prescriptions, as well as your pet’s meds, in a secure location. Your dog may be able to peel through the plastic of a pill bottle if he is a dedicated chewer. As a result, make sure to keep all medication in a secure location, preferably in a high cabinet or drawer, and keep them closed and out of reach. Also, make sure to educate yourself on which medications are safe for your puppy.
