Pet poison-proofing checklist

Kitchen and pantry

• Chocolate, cocoa powder and baking chocolate are stored in a closed cabinet, not on counters. (chocolate calculator)
• Grapes, raisins and foods that contain them (trail mix, bagels, granola) are kept out of reach. (grapes calculator)
• Onions, garlic and seasoning powders are in a closed cabinet. (onion and garlic calculator)
• Macadamia nuts and cookies made with them are put away. (macadamia calculator)
• Labels are checked for xylitol (also called birch sugar) on gum, mints, peanut butter, baked goods and sugar-free snacks. (xylitol calculator)
• The kitchen trash can has a locking or pet-resistant lid, or sits inside a closed cabinet.
• Counters are cleared of food before you leave the room, and guests know not to share table food.

Medicines and supplements

• All human medicines, including Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen), are in a closed cabinet or a locking box, never in a purse, nightstand or low shelf. (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen calculators)
• Pills are taken over a sink or counter, not over the floor, and any dropped pill is found right away.
• Weekly pill organizers are stored up high; many are easy for a dog to chew open.
• Pet medicines are stored apart from human medicines so the wrong bottle is never grabbed.
• Vitamins and supplements, especially those with iron or vitamin D, are stored like medicines.
• Guests are asked to keep bags and coats with medicines off the floor.

Cannabis and edibles

• Edibles, vapes and other THC products are stored in a locked, smell-proof container, out of reach. (THC calculator)
• Leftover joints and edible wrappers go straight into a covered trash can.

Plants and flowers (especially for cats)

• No true lilies (Lilium) or daylilies (Hemerocallis) in a home with cats, including cut flowers and bouquets. (lily checker)
• Bouquets you receive are checked for lilies before they come inside.
• House plants are checked against the ASPCA toxic plant list before you buy them.

Garage, yard and basement

• Rat and mouse baits are replaced with traps or enclosed, tamper-resistant stations a pet cannot open, and you know the active ingredient of any bait used. (rat poison checker)
• Antifreeze, de-icers, fertilizers, slug and snail bait and insecticides are stored on high shelves with lids closed.
• Spills of any chemical are cleaned up right away, and pets are kept off treated lawns until the label says it is safe.
• Compost bins are closed, and fallen nuts or fruit are cleared from the yard.

Around the house

• Purses, backpacks and gym bags are hung up or kept in a closed room; they often hold gum, mints and medicines.
• Cleaning products, laundry pods and dishwasher pods are stored in a closed cabinet.
• Batteries, especially button and coin batteries, are stored and disposed of safely.
• Holiday and party foods are kept out of reach, and someone is in charge of the pets during gatherings.

Prevention gear worth having

None of these need to be a specific brand. Any sturdy version from a hardware, baby or pet store will do.

• Child-safety cabinet latches or magnetic locks for low kitchen and bathroom cabinets
• A locking or pet-resistant kitchen trash can
• A lockable medicine box or cabinet for human and pet medicines
• Airtight, latching food storage containers for the pantry
• Enclosed, tamper-resistant bait stations or snap traps instead of loose rodent bait
• Baby gates to keep pets out of the kitchen or garage when you are not watching
• Wall hooks or a closed closet for purses and bags

Emergency kit and info

• Poison control numbers saved in every family member's phone and posted on the fridge (see the card below)
• The address of the nearest 24 hour emergency vet saved in your maps app
• A current weight for each pet written down, since every calculator on this site needs it
• A sealable bag for bringing the package, label or wrapper of what was eaten to the vet
• A pet carrier or leash by the door so you can leave quickly

Do not make your pet vomit, and do not give any home remedy, unless a veterinarian or poison control tells you to.