Pet-proofing your home

Welcoming a new cat or dog into your home is similar in many ways to having children - they need feeding, they don't sleep at the same time as you and they won't have the same understanding of how to treat your possessions as you do. So before you invite your new furry friend in, it's worth making sure your home is as animal-proofed as possible.

To start with, remember that accidents can happen. Keep details of your local vet, and your pet insurance policy, close to hand in case you ever need them in an emergency. It's also worth checking out your home insurance policy to see if you are covered against any damage caused - many policies specifically exclude claims arising from the actions of an animal.

Pets are likely to be very curious and will try to get everywhere. So if there are rooms you want to keep to yourself, make sure the doors shut properly and can't be pushed open. If that's not possible, invest in some child safety gates which should keep out even the most determined of interlopers.

Within each room, make sure there are no cables or cords for animals to get tangled up in - as well as the damage they may cause from pulling things over, there's also the danger an inquisitive kitten or puppy could injure themselves. Check that there is no way they can get access to poisons like medications or cleaning products by securing cupboard doors or placing the items out of reach.

Ensure your appliances are flush to the walls and there are no nooks or holes that a pet could get into and have trouble getting out of - there are plenty of horror stories about homeowners needing to pull up their floorboards to rescue a kitten that has become trapped. Make sure the lids to your bins are secure, and food is kept out of the way - human food is unlikely to do much damage to a pet, but the wrappers or containers could be harmful. Chocolate, however, is one treat you can never feed a dog - it contains two different ingredients that are toxic to canines.

It's worth planning ahead when it comes to your possessions. If you don't want something knocked over, played with or covered in fur, make sure it's out of the way. And if you have any sharp objects, or plants that may be poisonous, check your pet won't be able to get to them. Small items like coins or buttons can be dangerous to animals if swallowed, so make sure you tidy up after yourself.

If you have a garden, you need to make sure that is secure, too. It's amazing how small a hole is needed for a dog to escape. Check your fencing for any gaps, and if your pet is likely to tunnel under walls, put some paving stones underneath them. Make sure any weedkiller or fertiliser you use is pet-friendly and check you don't have any toxic plants.

Finally, it's worth remembering that no matter how hard you try, accidents can happen. So just be prepared!

Issued by Sainsbury's Finance

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