The Complete Pet-Proofing Guide: Solutions for Each Space, Costs, & Common Mistakes

Growing your family by four paws can be as nerve-wracking as it is exciting, especially if you’ve never had a pet before and aren’t sure what to expect. Pet-proofing your home is crucial to keep your new furry friend safe and also to protect your property from that accident-prone fur-baby who’s keen on chewing everything in sight. In this guide, we’ll explain how to pet-proof your house on a budget and some common mistakes to avoid.

Choosing the best flooring for pets

Choosing the most pet-friendly flooring option means considering a few things:

• How well will the floor stand up to pet nails?

• Will accidents ruin the flooring or permanently stain it?

• How easy is it to clean the floor?

• Will the floor provide good grip for your new pet?

All flooring options will offer some benefits and drawbacks. For example, wood, tile, and laminate will stand up reasonably well to pet nails and are easy to clean, but accidents can stain wood and laminate and leave lingering odors, and wood and tile can be slippery for animals, especially as they age. Carpeting provides the best grip, but you may see pulls from pet nails, and pet urine can be a nightmare to clean, especially if it soaks into the padding.

• Wood floors cost an average of $7 to $12 per sq.ft. and can last a lifetime if you clean up accidents quickly. For a safer approach, you can install urine-proof area rugs for between $20 and $200 each.

• Tile floors cost $8 to $14 per sq.ft., on average, and while they offer minimal grip, they’re easy to clean and won’t hold onto odors. They will stand up extremely well to pet nails, and the only downside is they don’t offer much traction for pet paws.

• Vinyl floors cost an average of $2 to $18 per sq.ft. It is slightly less durable than tile but has more texture and is still a breeze to clean.

Because of its water and stain resistance and ease of maintenance, Luxury Vinyl Flooring has become a very popular choice for both new homes and remodeling for pet friendly homes. It is durable, affordable and scratch resistant.

Andy Pace

Healthy Home Concierge & Host of the Non-Toxic Environments Podcast

Pet-friendly furniture tips

Furniture, upholstery, and other soft items in your living room are some other key things to pay attention to, and you’ll want to ask a few key questions:

• Will these materials stand up to pet nails and scratching?

• Will they attract and hold onto pet hair?

• Are they easy to clean?

• Will they hold onto odors?

You may want to wait to update furniture until your pet is a year or so old, when they’re beyond the puppy or kitten phase. However, if you want to upgrade before your pet comes home, or adapt your space for a pet you already have, here are some tips to help you prepare a pet-friendly home:

• Choose durable fabrics like microfiber and leather, which will stand up better to pet claws than cloth and are easier to clean.

• Avoid velvet for puppies, as it traps dog hair and shows dirt easily, but consider velvet if you’re a new cat owner, as many cats dislike the texture and are less likely to scratch it.

• Place scratching towers in problem areas once you learn a little more about your kitten’s behavior to redirect scratching away from your furniture. Consider adding corner guards to furniture if scratching continues to be a problem.

• If you plan to let your pet lounge on the bed or couch, invest in a cover to protect it from hair, dirt, and pet accidents. 

• You can use a pet-safe spray that tastes bad, like Bitter Apple, which costs just $10 a bottle and is designed to dissuade chewing.

Pet-proofing your living room

The living room is where you’ll spend a good portion of time with your new family member, so it’s a good place to start prepping. 

• Double-check that houseplants in the area aren’t poisonous to pets. If they are, move them to a room that you’re certain your new friend will never visit.

• Protective slipcovers and throw blankets can help protect furniture and make cleaning easier. You can also choose furniture pieces and drapes with a color that matches your pet’s hair to make the space look cleaner. 

• Rearrange furniture strategically to prevent pets from climbing onto high spots like shelves or windowsills.

• If you have a fireplace, put a pet gate around it to keep them out, and always keep the doors closed when your fireplace is in use.

Pet safety tips for the kitchen

Living rooms are designed for comfort and are relatively easy to pet-proof, but a kitchen that’s designed for utility can be more of a challenge. In your kitchen, you’ll need to think about keeping pets away from chemicals, human food, hot surfaces, sharp cooking utensils, and small items that can be choking hazards, all while keeping floors, cabinets, and countertops free from damage.

• Store household cleaners and other chemicals in cabinets, and add a childproof latch for extra safety.

• If you’re bringing home a cat or a large dog, get in the habit of securing food and keeping it out of reach rather than leaving it on the counter. This can also dissuade counter-surfing early on. 

• Invest in garbage containers with secure lids to prevent your pet from getting into potentially dangerous food scraps.

• Feeding stations for your pet are ideal in the kitchen, where the flooring tends to be more waterproof than in areas like your living room.

Bedroom pet-proofing

Your bedroom may be off-limits to your pet, but if it’s not, make sure the space is just as comfortable and safe for them as it is for you.

• Small objects in bedrooms can quickly become choking hazards, so do a sweep of the room and secure toys, knickknacks, and decorative items that may prove to be irresistible for a puppy or kitten. 

• Invest in a hanging shoe organizer for $15 to keep shoes away from teething pets.

• Power cords from lamps, phone chargers, and other electronics are a common target for chewing pets, so move them out of reach to avoid accidents. Plastic covers for cords and outlets are an affordable option for safety at between $5 and $15.

• Try to get into the mind of a puppy or kitten who’s seeing the world for the first time. Tuck the corners of your bedding under the mattress, shorten or tie up drapes, and remove window blind pull cords, which are a favorite among young pets, especially kittens. 

• If you open windows for ventilation, be sure they’re fitted with secure screens to keep your cat safe. A standard window screen costs between $30 and $150 per window.

• You can also choose to keep your bedroom a private space for you and you alone. Consider installing a pet gate, which costs between $45 and $100, to keep pets out if you don’t want to keep your door closed.

One of my biggest recommendations when pet-proofing a room is to get on the pet's level-literally. Crawling around on one's hands and knees affords the opportunity to see things from your pet's perspective; potentially hazardous items may not be so obvious from above.

Josh Wiesenfeld

CEO and Founder, Boxiecat

Bathroom and laundry room pet safety

Much like your kitchen, your bathroom and laundry room will likely need some extensive pet-proofing efforts to keep them safe. They are good places to keep pets out of entirely, especially when they’re young and most curious. Set up pet gates to block access if this is the route you want to go. If it’s not possible, here are some tips:

• Be sure you store medication in a medicine cabinet that’s completely out of reach and keep cleaning supplies and other chemicals on elevated shelves. Keep shampoo, soap, razors, and makeup safe in shower niches or in vanity drawers. 

• Child locks for cabinets and drawers can help keep everything out of reach.

• Finally, make sure to shut the lids on washers, dryers, and toilet bowls when not in use, especially if you have a cat that’s keen on climbing.

Ingestion of certain objects can be especially dangerous, such as string or yarn (linear foreign body), corn on the cob, and absorbent materials like diapers, pads, and tampons. It’s important to restrict your pet’s access to potentially harmful objects, supervise them closely, and train dogs to “drop it” and “leave it”. If you see your pet eat something they shouldn’t, contact your vet or a pet poison helpline right away.

Dr. Liza Cahn

Veterinarian, Embrace Pet Insurance

Creating a pet-friendly outdoor space

Your backyard can be a great place to get some of that puppy energy out and let your furry friend get some much-needed exercise and mental stimulation, but don’t forget to pet-proof your outdoor area, too. Fencing is the most important consideration, but you should also think about potentially toxic plants, pests, harmful chemicals, and other hazards.

Secure fencing and enclosures

First thing’s first: make sure you have solid fencing around your entire yard before you let your pup out to explore. If your current fence is failing, missing sections, or has gaps beneath the gates, get those issues addressed first. Fence repair costs an average of $500, but it’s well worth the investment to keep your new family member safe.

If you have a pool or other water feature, that will need securing, too. You can install a mesh fence around it for around $2,000, or you can upgrade to a more secure metal fence for an average of $6,500.

“Catios” are becoming increasingly popular among cat owners, as they provide your feline friend access to the outdoors without having to worry about predators, cars, or your cat wandering off.

Pet-safe landscaping and maintenance

You’ll want to take some time to double-check that your landscaping is pet-friendly, too. You can check the ASPCA’s guide to toxic and non-toxic plants. Azaleas, chrysanthemums, daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths are some common flowers that are toxic to dogs and/or cats. You can either remove these plants from your yard, fence off garden areas, or use baby gates to block access to decks or fenced-in patios where potted plants could be an issue.

One thing many homeowners forget to consider is that a lot of the chemicals we often use for a healthy lawn can be dangerous for animals. Consider making changes to the fertilizers, weed control chemicals, and pest control methods you use and opt for pet-friendly choices, or forgo them altogether. If you do use the harsher chemicals, keep pets off of your lawn for a few days after treatment to reduce the risk of contact.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Pet-proofing your home isn’t an exact science, so it’s best to be as prepared as possible to avoid damage to your home and harm to your pet. Here are a few common mistakes new pet owners make when it comes to pet safety and how to avoid them.

• Underestimating your pet: When you think you’ve pet-proofed your home, you’re probably about halfway done. Young pets, especially, are extremely curious and will surprise you again and again with what they can get into and how often they can unknowingly put themselves in danger. 

• Think of your pet as a child: Your new pet may not have opposable thumbs, but they may have the determination they need to get where they aren’t supposed to be. Go above and beyond by adding childproof locks and barriers to areas and items you need to keep secure.

• Don’t neglect the electrical cords: Most of us have electrical cords hanging from outlets and dangling from side tables and don’t think twice about them, but these are major safety hazards for a puppy or kitten.

• Forgetting about houseplants: To us, houseplants are harmless, but to a curious puppy or kitten, they could be deadly. Check on the ASPCA’s website to see which plants are toxic to animals and remove them entirely from your home.

• What’s safe for us isn’t safe for them: Don’t forget that many human foods can be toxic to dogs and cats. Keep human foods secured in refrigerators or upper cabinets, especially if they contain chocolate, nuts, grapes, onions, or garlic.

• Don’t ignore your pet’s instincts: It can be frustrating to find your puppy chewing on pillows or your cat scratching at furniture, but these are natural instincts that you shouldn’t ignore. Redirect this behavior by providing scratching posts and chew toys instead of trying to fight it. Consider a trainer if you continue to run into problems.

• Not having a designated space for them: It's easy to focus on what not to let your pet access, but creating positive, safe spaces is equally vital. This designated space allows your pet to feel secure, reducing anxiety and destructive behaviors.

It’s ok to establish areas of your home that are off-limits to pets. On the other hand, creating areas that are completely safe (such as a room or crate) that contain all essential resources can give them a safe space to retreat or be left alone for short periods of time.

Dr. Liza Cahn

Veterinarian, Embrace Pet Insurance

The importance of pet-proofing: a worthwhile investment

Owning a pet is a big responsibility, and that responsibility needs to begin long before you actually bring your new family member home. Pet-proofing your living space may involve installing new flooring, removing dangerous chemicals and houseplants, and investing in pet gates, childproof latches, and furniture protection. As time-consuming as it is to get your house prepped for your pet, pet-proofing costs just $300 to $1,000 in most cases, which is a small price to pay for their safety.