Hello World! Welcome Friends! Getting a pet is a really exciting thing to do, and for many people, it completes their family. Of course, it’s not (or shouldn’t be) just a question of picking a pet and bringing it home – there are actually a number of things you might have to do (depending on the type of pet) to make your home more pet-friendly.
In other words, you’re the sole protector of that animal, and it’s going to be relying on you to ensure it’s safe and well taken care of, and making your home pet-friendly means you’ve got all that in hand (although you’ll also need to make sure you understand about feeding, grooming, exercise, and so on as well). With that in mind, keep reading to find out more about how to make your home more pet-friendly so you can put measures in place before your new pet comes to live with you.
Pet-Friendly Flooring
Assuming you have a let like a dog or a cat that’s going to be moving around your home and using the floors (fish, for example, and small rodents in cages like hamsters and gerbils won’t generally have this issue), you’ll need to think carefully about making some changes. The fact is that pets can be tough on floors, especially if they’re large or there are claws involved, and if you’ve got any type of floor that’s going to scratch or start to look scruff when dirty feet walk across it, it’s time to think again.
The best thing to use is durable, scratch-resistant, and easy-to-clean floors like tiles, laminate, and vinyl. The great thing about these options is that as well as being able to withstand claws and paws, they also look good – gone are the days when these were the cheap and nasty options. That means your home can still look stylish even if you do have pets, and that’s a great bonus for you if you want a lovely interior. By the way, if you really want to have carpet, then the best option is to have a style with a low pile and that has stain-resistance built in.
Cozy Sleeping Areas
Just like humans, pets need a cozy sleeping area to rest and dream about their lovely lives – and dogs and cats sleep a lot, especially if they’re very young or getting on in years. In fact, most of the time, that’s exactly what your pet is going to be doing – sleeping.
Because of that, it’s important to make your home pet-friendly by ensuring there’s a nice place for them to sleep where they feel safe and where they can go whenever they want to. It’s best to pick a quiet area in the corner of a room or even in a room that isn’t used all that much so your pet is less disturbed, and once you know where the spot is, you can add a bed (make sure it’s big enough), blankets, toys, and so on in there. Always buy more than one of everything so you can regularly wash the bed and blanket and you’ll always have an alternative while it’s drying.
Safe Outdoor Spaces
Once again, not all pets have to go outside, but some will – and must. Dogs are the best example of this, as they definitely need to get outside regularly to exercise. If you’ve got a yard, you’ll need to check that it’s pet-friendly and make some changes if need be – the best place to start is by securing the perimeter to prevent escapes because even the happiest dog is going to have a sense of adventure and if there’s a chance to leave the yard, they’ll probably take it.
As for the plants in your garden, don’t assume they’re all fine and you don’t have to think about them – the truth is they might be poisonous to your pet, and that could lead to some high vet bills and a sick pet, or even worse. Stay away from toxic plants like lilies, sago palms, and azaleas, for example – if you’re not sure, just check online or speak to an expert at a nursery. To complete the set up, you’ll need to have fresh water outside, and a shaded area for your pet to rest if they need to.
Pet-Proofing
You’ve probably heard of child-proofing your home, but what about pet-proofing? As the name suggests, it works on the same kind of premise, and it involves taking a look at every aspect of your home and making it safer if you need to – this time for your pet, rather than a child, of course.
Things to look at include securing electrical cords, keeping hazardous substances out of reach, and ensuring that small objects that could easily be swallowed are put away all the time. You can even use baby gates to keep your pet in a specific, safe area, as that can mean they’re a lot safer. One thing to consider as this point which you might not initially think of is your windows – are they safe? If they’re old, they might not be all that secure, and if your pet can open them, they’d get outside and that becomes dangerous (not to mention it’s bad for your home’s security. Check them over and if you need to make them safer, call a replacement window company sooner rather than later.
Stimulating Environment
Pets don’t just sit there and do nothing – they’re not empty inside. True, they do sleep a lot, but when they’re awake, they’re going to need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to stop them from getting bored and sick.
That’s why, when you’re making your home more pet-friendly, it’s a good idea to add toys to the mix and rotate them regularly stop your pet getting bored and ensure they’re always engaged. Cats might have cat trees, shelves, scratching posts, and toys they can chase and catch, for example, and dogs love puzzle toys and things that squeak and that can be thrown. The key is to remember you need to play with your pet to keep them happy, so make sure you’ve got time for that before you decide a pet is the best thing for you.
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Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
How Investing in Quality Tools Saves Money in the Long Run
From Safety to Expertise: Why Tree Removal Requires Professionals
Why People Are Opting to Move to a New Place to Live
Top Landscaping Tools to Transform Your Outdoor Space
Building a Family Home: 5 Key Considerations
How to Choose a Mattress that Works for Both Partners’ Sleep Styles
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