How to Prepare Your Home for Your New Puppy

One of the main reasons puppies get into trouble is because they love to chew and explore the world with their mouth. This is a normal behavior — it's how they learn! Expect that your new puppy will likely want to chew (and eat) everything in sight. So, the most important thing you can do to puppy-proof your home is to keep potentially dangerous items out of reach and monitor your puppy at all times while they're exploring. You'll also want to provide plenty of safe, approved chew toys to satisfy their urge to chew and soothe sore gums from teething.

Specific hazards to look out for include:

Electrical Cords and Outlets

Chewing on electrical cords or outlets can result in burns to the mouth and electrocution, which can be fatal. Cover all cords (be especially careful around the holidays) and electrical outlets. Thermal, or surface, burns may appear yellow, tan or gray around the lips, tongue or gums. Signs of a systemic electrical cord injury (where an electrical current passes through the body, causing internal damage) may include vomiting, seizures, muscle spasms, coughing and fast breathing. If you think your puppy has experienced an electrical cord injury, contact your veterinarian right away.

Prescription Medications and Recreational Drugs

Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, acetaminophen, ibuprofen and marijuana are just a few common household items that are toxic to dogs. Keep these products in locked cabinets out of your puppy's reach. If you suspect that your pup may have ingested any prescription or recreational drugs, contact your vet immediately.

Garbage

Trash items can smell delicious to puppies, but garbage can make them sick. Keep all trash, including bathroom trash, in tightly closed receptacles or in locked cabinets. Invest in a trash can with a lockable lid, and take all trash with food items out as soon as possible so it doesn't attract curious puppies.

Toxic Human Foods

Chocolate, xylitol, onions, garlic, grapes and raisins are some of the top toxic foods for dogs. Butter or other fatty foods can also make your puppy sick. Keep these foods out of reach, and closely monitor your puppy in the kitchen or whenever they're around human food.

Household Toxins

Pesticides, herbicides, antifreeze, cleaning supplies and mulch can also make your puppy sick if ingested. Keep them all locked up and out of your puppy's reach. Also, opt for pet-safe products whenever possible.

Toxic Plants

The ASPCA has a comprehensive list of plants that are toxic to dogs, including iris, elephant ear, and calla lily. Remove these plants from your home and yard or securely bar access (think a wire fence) to avoid accidental ingestion.

Small Items

Puppies may chew or swallow small items, such as hair ties, coins, craft supplies, sewing supplies, socks and children's toys. These materials can get stuck in your pup's intestinal tract and require emergency surgery to remove. So, keep small items locked away and out of your puppy's reach. Even when your puppy is chewing on an approved, puppy-specific dog toy, supervise them closely to ensure they don't chew it into small enough pieces to pose a choking hazard.

Cat Supplies

Your puppy will investigate and possibly eat anything they find interesting. So, if you have a cat at home, move items such as cat food and litter boxes to a part of the house your puppy doesn't have access to. If this isn't possible, elevate your cat's food dish to a counter or shelf and consider a top-entry litter box.

If you know or suspect your puppy has ingested something toxic, call your vet, the local emergency clinic or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 for advice. If your puppy is acting sick in any way — including vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, drooling, seizures, weakness or incoordination — take them to the closest emergency clinic immediately.

In addition to chewing and swallowing hazards, your home may have tipping or falling hazards. These can include:

Heavy Furniture

Secure any and all heavy furniture, such as bookcases, to the wall to ensure they don't fall over unexpectedly.

Bodies of Water

If you have a pool or other body of water in your backyard, you also have a drowning hazard. Keep bodies of water strictly off-limits to your puppy when they're unsupervised.

Stairs

Stairs can pose a falling hazard to small puppies. Place a baby gate at the bottom of the staircase to bar access. Do this for any other areas in your home that might pose a falling risk, such as a balcony.