This checklist is meant solely as a guide to assist you in preparing your home as
well as your yard, for your new puppy! "Puppy Proofing" is very important to keep the
puppy safe and to help keep YOU sane. It is not necessarily all-inclusive;
examine your home very carefully at the puppy's eye level. Yes, that means getting
down on your hands and knees to see what your puppy sees! Look to see what things
could entice him/her? Look for any and all potential hazards!
Potential Household Dangers:
- Electrical cords
- Unstable furniture items, such as pedestals, which hold plants, statues, vases,
- Collectibles, etc.
- Cat litter boxes
- Fireplaces
- Plug-in air fresheners
- Stuffed toys & Small children's toys (choking hazard)
- Plastic bags
- Food pantry
- Alcohol
- Staircase
- Trash bins (contents within, too)
- Toilets
- Bathtubs
- Household cooking oils
- Curtain and blinds cords
- Medicines (aspirin, acetaminophen, antihistamines, etc.)
- Bleach
- Ammonia
- Drain cleaner
- Household detergents and other cleaning agents
- Panty hose (can cause impaction, choking)
- Rubber bands, balloons, ribbon, string
- Space heaters
If You Suspect Poisoning, call your Veterinarian Immediately! Always keep an
after hour Veterinary Emergency Hospital/Clinic telephone number on hand.
If this is not an option in your area please see the PREVIOUS
National Poision Control page for step by step instructions.
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Some items that may not present a health hazard to the puppy, but may end up
being costly to replace:
- Remote controls
- Phone cords
- Shoes
- Slippers
- Speakers
- Furniture
- Children's toys
If you have an infant within your home, some of the baby's items can be hazardous to
the Puppy: Infant bottles, Pacifiers, Teething rings.
If you also have a cat(s) be sure to keep the puppy away from the cat's food. Dogs
that consume cat food may end up with diarrhea due to the high protein content. Also,
keep the puppy away from the litter box. Either barricade the litter box or
purchase an enclosed litter box.
Potential Yard and Garage Hazards:
- Ant bait
- Chemicals
- Fertilizers
- Gasoline, Antifreeze and Motor oil
- Paint
- Rodenticide
- Snail bait Traps
- Air conditioning unit cables
- Sprinkler systems
- Old barbed wire
- Bailing wire
- Water wells
- Standing water
- Holes and weakened areas in the backyard fence
- Rusty items; Nails, stakes, wire
- Old car parts
