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P.O. Box 1015 Waldorf, MD 20604-1015
Phone: 301 645-8181

5 March 2000, From the American Humane Association
Puppy & Kitten-proofing Your House

If anything is in reach, your puppy or kitten will sniff, chew, and probably play with it. So to protect your puppy or kitten in its new environment, and to safeguard your belongings, puppy and kitten-proof your house.

Kitchens and bathrooms.

• Use childproof latches to keep curious muzzles from prying open cabinets
• Keep medications, cleaners, chemicals, and laundry supplies on high shelves
• Keep foods out of reach (even if the food isn't harmful, the wrapper could be). Some foods, like chocolate, can be fatal to dogs.
• Keep trash cans covered or inside a latched cabinet
• Keep toilet lids closed to prevent drowning

• Place dangling wires from lamps, VCRs, stereos, TVs, and phones up and out of chewing reach
• Keep kid's toys put away
• Move plants out of reach (some houseplants are poisonous to animals)
• Check all those places where your vacuum cleaner doesn't fit, but your puppy or kitten does, for dangerous items like coins and pens
• Put away all sewing and craft notions, especially needles and thread
• Make sure all heating and air vents have a cover

• Move all chemicals to high shelves or behind secure doors
• Clean up all antifreeze from the floor and driveway- one lick of most antifreezes can be lethal to a puppy
• Keep fishhooks, tools, and other sharp objects out of reach

• Keep laundry and shoes behind closed doors (drawstrings and buttons can cause major problems)
• Keep any medications, lotions or cosmetics off accessible surfaces like the bedside table (which can be reached by jumping on the bed)
• Move wires out of reach of chewing