How to Pet-Proof Your Home: A Room-by-Room Safety Check

By Dr Duncan Houston

Pet-proofing works best as a repeated check of what an animal can actually reach, open, chew or climb. A high shelf or a gate that works for one pet may not work for another.

Start with the places used every day and reassess when the pet grows or its habits change.

Quick Answer

Secure access to medicines, chemicals, loose cords, small objects and unstable furniture. Check doors, windows and appliances, and provide appropriate toys and resting places. Use the individual animal’s behaviour and species needs to guide each room check.

Kitchen and food storage

Keep rubbish in a secured container and put food, packaging and sharp items away promptly. Check cupboards and drawers the pet can push or pull open. A latch is useful only if everyone closes it consistently.

Store medicines, supplements and cleaning products in their original containers inside secure storage. Do not assume a countertop is inaccessible to a climbing cat or a determined dog.

Living areas and cables

Route electrical cords where they cannot readily be chewed or pulled, and inspect covers and connections for damage. Secure unstable furniture and check for objects that could fall when an animal jumps onto a shelf.

Keep ribbon, string, sewing materials and small detachable items in closed storage. Choose toys appropriate for the animal and inspect them regularly. Put supervised string toys away after play.

Bathrooms, laundry and utility spaces

Close access to cleaning products and check containers and appliance spaces before use. Keep toilet lids and other unsuitable water access closed where relevant. Do not allow a curious animal into an open washing machine or dryer unnoticed.

Keep cleaning equipment, wet products and laundry hazards away from animals until the relevant product instructions permit access. Use clear household routines so a closed door is not the only protection.

Windows, doors and outdoor access

Check screens, gaps, balcony access and door latches. A cat may climb a low gate that contains a dog, and a small animal may fit through a gap that looks insignificant. Match the barrier to the actual animal.

Plan deliveries and visitors so doors are not left open while attention is elsewhere. Check carriers and other transport equipment before using them.

Plants and new household products

Identify a plant accurately and check suitability for the species before bringing it into an accessible area. Do the same for pest-control products, fragrances and other new materials rather than treating natural as a safety guarantee.

When suitability is uncertain, keep the item inaccessible while obtaining reliable advice. A photograph or vague common plant name may not be enough to establish what it is.

Provide useful alternatives

Give the animal suitable opportunities to play, chew or scratch where appropriate, rest and explore without entering hazardous areas. For cats, stable climbing and scratching resources can make a room more usable. For dogs, choose suitable supervised activities and safe resting space.

Do not rely on enrichment alone to secure a real hazard. Barriers, storage and inspection still matter even when the pet has plenty to do.

Repeat the check after changes

Reassess after moving furniture, getting visitors, opening gifts, bringing in shopping or changing a pet’s access. Check from the animal’s height and consider climbing routes as well as floor-level hazards.

Keep veterinary and local emergency contact details easy to find. Share the household safety routine with everyone responsible for care so the plan continues when the usual carer is away.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming high shelves are always out of reach
• Using a dog-sized barrier without considering a climbing cat
• Leaving supervised toys out unattended
• Calling natural products automatically safe
• Treating one initial inspection as permanent pet-proofing

Frequently asked questions

Will a baby gate keep a cat out?

Not reliably. Many cats can climb or jump it; choose a suitable secure barrier.

Does a bored pet need toys instead of barriers?

Appropriate activity is useful, but it does not replace securing genuine hazards.

How often should I check the home?

Recheck routinely and after changes in furniture, products, access or the animal’s behaviour.

Should I check products separately for each species?

Yes. Do not assume a product or plant suitable around one animal is suitable for every species.

The practical takeaway

Make safe choices easy for the household to maintain. Secure the hazards, provide appropriate alternatives and keep checking how the individual animal uses the space.

Sources and further reading

• Feline Veterinary Medical Association: Cat Friendly Homes
• RSPCA: a suitable home for cats
• Pet Poison Helpline: essential oils and cats

For help organising everyday observations and questions for your veterinary team, explore the ASK A VET™ app. Urgent problems need in-person veterinary care.