• Close your washing machine and tumble dryer door when they’re not in use – and make sure your fun-loving pet isn’t playing hide and seek before you switch them on
• Consider fitting child safety locks on cupboard doors – they can do the trick for pets too
• Hide away dangerous or toxic food – even a small bite of a harmful human treat can cause serious problems for your pet
• Keep your pet out of the kitchen when you’re cooking to avoid any dangerous spills, slips or trips
• Make sure your bin is securely shut to stop your curious chum raking through your rubbish

• Hide your shoes and slippers in your cupboard – unless you want them chewed
• If you have any allergies, keep your pets out of your room – their dander (dead skin) can make your symptoms worse and cause allergic reactions
• Keep your small change somewhere safe – coins made of zinc can be toxic to pets
• Small toys are a common choking hazard for pets, so make sure you tidy them away and keep your floors clutter-free

• Keep medicines on a high shelf or locked away to protect your pet from swallowing potentially poisonous pills
• Lock all cleaning products away out of reach – these can be extremely dangerous to pets
• Toilet cleaners can be toxic, so always keep the toilet lid closed when it’s not in use

• Hide electrical cables behind furniture or tape them to your skirting board to stop them getting damaged
• Keep CDs and DVDs out of reach – discs can be quickly chewed and broken into dangerous, sharp pieces
• Keep toxic houseplants and flowers away from your home – there are plenty of pet-safe plants to choose from
• Try pet repellent sprays on furniture to stop your pesky pet from chewing on your couch
• Unplug your TV and other electronic devices when they’re not in use to protect your pet from nasty shocks
• Covering wires with plastic sleeves or tubing will go a long way to rabbit proofing your home

• Avoid toxic and poisonous outdoor plants like azaleas, daffodils, foxgloves and tomato plants
• Check for gaps under and between your gates and fences for rabbits, smaller dogs, house cats and other potential escape artists
• Make sure your rabbit’s hutch or enclosure is safe and secure and protected from the conditions and other animals
• Make sure your gates and fences are sturdy, secure and high enough that your pet can’t escape
• Mulch your garden using traditional shredded mulch or bark instead of cocoa mulch – this can be extremely toxic to pets
• Use only pet-safe slug pellets, pesticides and fertilisers

When you think of dangerous or poisonous food for pets, the first thing that comes to mind – and rightly so – is chocolate.

As delicious as it is, chocolate is a no-go for cats, dogs and rabbits. And so are the following items:

• Alcohol
• Avocados
• Caffeinated drinks like coffee or tea
• Garlic and onions
• Xylitol – a sweetener commonly found in products including chewing gum and toothpaste

Grapes, raisins and macadamia nuts can be dangerous for cats and dogs too – although rabbits can have them as an occasional treat.

While the above food and drinks can be dangerous, not all human treats are bad for your pampered pet.

Here are just a few healthy snacks that can be safely enjoyed by (almost) the whole family:

• Broccoli and carrots
• Certain fruits, including apples, blueberries and bananas
• Oats
• Cooked fish and chicken (cats and dogs only; meat can be dangerous for plant-eating rabbits)
• Peanuts and peanut butter – as long as it doesn’t include xylitol (cats and dogs only)

Some common cleaning products can be terribly toxic to pets. Try and get your chores done while they're not around – and make sure the following products are safely stored out of harm’s way:

• Bleach
• Dishwasher tablets
• Laundry detergents
• Oven cleaner

Not all cleaning products will put your four-legged friend in danger. There are plenty of pet-safe cleaning products and brands available from most large supermarkets.

And you could also give natural and homemade cleaning products a go, for example:

• Castile soap
• Lemon juice
• White vinegar

You could also use bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) if you’ve only got cats or dogs – but this can be dangerous for rabbits.

Looking to spruce up your garden or home with Instagrammable plants and flowers? Tread carefully – there are lots of plants that are poisonous to pets, including varieties of ficus, cheese plants and aloe vera. Seasonal plants, like mistletoe and poinsettia are also no-go’s. Don’t worry though, there are plenty of cat friendly houseplants too! You just need to learn what’s toxic.
 

Toxic houseplants to cats

Houseplants that are not safe for cats include:

• Azaleas
• Daffodils
• Dieffenbachia (dumb canes)
• Foxgloves
• Hydrangeas
• Lilies
• Philodendrons
• Poinsettias
• Tomato plants
• Yew

To keep your feline friend as safe as possible, avoid all toxic plants and flowers. Your cat may be harmed if they rub against the plant or try to eat it. Pollen, needles, seeds, flowers and leaves can be toxic to cats .While cats like to eat grass, most are wary of eating anything out of the ordinary . But some plants are so poisonous that even the surrounding air can be harmful to your purrfect pets.

Some houseplants can be highly toxic to cats, while others are completely safe. The leaves, flowers, stems and even pollen of some plant species can be very dangerous, so always check which houseplants are safe for cats before bringing them home. 

Some household cleaning products contain harsh chemicals which can harm your cat. They might breathe in fumes or else get substances on their fur or paws from coming into contact with cleaned surfaces. Always check products are safe for pets before using in areas your cat likes to spend time. 

Dogs, cats and rabbits like to eat a varied diet, but some human foods aren’t safe for them to consume. Things like chocolate and grapes are toxic to dogs, while most cats are lactose intolerant. Always check before feeding your pet something for the first time.