Before you bring your pet home, it is important to pet proof the areas they will be allowed in. If you are getting an indoor pet, make sure your home is safe for your pet by: covering all cords; securing your banister and spindles if you have stairs; eliminate harmful household cleaners; and keep breakables out of reach. If you are bringing an outdoor pet home: make sure to remove anything you do not wanted chewed on; be wary of fertilizers; have a secure fence in place; and be certain there aren’t animal poisons they could get ahold of, such as rat poison. You will also want to make sure you have proper identification for your pet along with a phone number for someone to contact you in emergency situations. Alternatively, you can have your pet microchipped as a form of permanent identification.

Set up designated areas

Pets learn best when their parameters are clearly defined, and the earlier you implement these “rules”, the sooner they will understand. Make sure you have a designated feeding and drinking area for your pet, as well as a defined sleeping space. Be sure to fully understand your pet’s needs prior to establishing these areas. For example, some pets are nocturnal, and some pets fear loud noise: so ensure that you are meeting these requirements.

Common plants which are poisonous to most pets

The following indoor and outdoor plants are some of the most common florae that are harmful to pets. While some cause minor symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting, others are very severe and can even cause sudden death. Be sure to remove any of the following plants from your home or yard:

• Aloe Vera 
• Asparagus Fern 
• Azaleas 
• Baby’s Breath 
• Begonias 
• Carnations 
• Corn Plant 
• Daffodils 
• Fern Palms 
• Geraniums 
• Hydrangeas 
• Ivy 
• Jade Plant 
• Lillies 
• Pencil Cactus 
• Poinsettias 
• Ribbon Plants 
• Sago Palms 
• Tomato Plants 
• Tulips

Set up house rules early on

Do you want pets to remain off furniture, or are they allowed free range? Or perhaps, you will allow them on your bed but not on couches. Whatever your preferences are, start enforcing these rules immediately. Again, the earlier you start conditioning your pet, the easier it will be for them to pick up good habits. When you have an area where pets cannot be on furniture, keep a comfortable bed or blankets for them to relax on; having their own cozy area will deter them from wanting yours. The same rules apply for outdoor pets. For example, if you do not want your pet climbing on your embankment, implement the rule immediately and provide them an area in which they are allowed.

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