It's an exciting event when you bring you new pet through the doors. However, you need to be completely prepared for the next few months. Bringing in a new young pet without properly protecting the house can cost you a lot in the long run.

Here are some other tactics that you should think about implementing:

• It is wise to install childproof latches onto cabinets that puppies or cats can easily unhinge
• Installing covers on all heating and air vents
• Buying trash cans with covers
• Cable and wire management
• Block small spaces, nooks and holes behind appliances to prevent your pet getting trapped
• Putting the toilet lid down to prevent a pet from drinking or drowning
• Make sure to put cleaning chemicals in places where it is hard to reach for pets
• Any objects that can be chewed or swallowed should be put in higher places
• Anything that smells enticing including lotion and cosmetics need to be stored in a place where the pets can't reach. Antifreeze is especially attractive to pets and extremely lethal for them.

In addition to those precautionary steps, here are long term tips for owning a pet from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

• Fence your yard with dig-proof material.
• Know if your dog can swim or not. 

There are things that are harmless when eaten by humans, but can be fatal to pets. Here are some of the things that can kill your pet if you feed it to them:

• Alcohol
• Chocolate
• Fatty foots
• Chicken bones
• Grapes
• Mushrooms
• Raw fish
• Nuts
• Unbaked yeast dough

Think Like a Pet

One of the best ways to pet-proof your home is to get down on your hands and knees and see a room or yard from a pet's eye view. You may be surprised at how many hazardous items and situations you find!