Becoming a pet owner can be an exciting and life changing moment. Suddenly you are responsible for feeding and caring for a living creature everyday. It can be an extremely rewarding relationship and your pet will soon become your closest companion.
In addition to changing your lifestyle, your new friend will also require some changes to your home. The last thing you want is to put them in danger or make them feel unsafe. Below are a number of tips on how to make your place as pet-friendly as possible before you bring them home.
Give them their own space.
Allowing pets to have their own space will strengthen your bond and help them feel more at home. They may initially get scared easily so a little familiar sanctuary is always beneficial. It will also help you control exactly which rooms you don’t want them to enter.
Find a suitable room or corner that they can make their own. It should include their food and water bowls, toys and a bed for them to sleep in. There are some fairly fashionable pet beds available online that look beautiful while still providing your pet a secure sleeping area.
You can also use door guards to keep them out of certain rooms like the kitchen or bedrooms.
Walk in their paws.
It may sound silly, but imagine yourself as your new cat or dog. Get on all fours and crawl around each room in your home.
You need to eliminate anything that could cause strangulation or electrocution and cover any spaces they might be able to crawl into. The last thing you want is to take up your wooden floors or rip out cabinets to free your pet.
Make sure whatever you use to cover the space cannot be moved easily. Also consider moving breakable items onto higher shelves so they won’t get knocked off by your pet when they jump up.
This exercise will open your eyes and show you just how hazardous your home could be for your pet.
Pet-proof your yard.
Dogs and cats enjoy spending time outside, exploring their surroundings. So if you’re one of the lucky ones that has your own yard, you need to make sure that there is nothing that can be deemed hazardous.
Check what plants you have to make sure they are not poisonous and also research organic gardening products that won’t be harmful to your pets. Checking for any gaps or holes in your fences and walls is also a safe bet.
This will stop them from running into busy roads or unsafe areas. If you do have holes, you may want to consider installing some variation of low maintenance fencing in place before your pet comes home. Also remember to keep sharp gardening equipment locked away
These renovations to your home will make it an inviting and safe place for your pet. Having your apartment or house ready will ensure they settle in quickly and allow them to show their personality in a calm environment.
You can rest easy knowing you have created a space that is true to your style but also as safe as possible for your new furry friend.
Are you currently considering rescuing / adopting a new member of your family?
