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Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Pet Proofing 101: Best Practices in Making Your Home Pet-Friendly

Pets are the most cherished companions of individuals and families throughout the United States. According to statistics gathered by the National Pet Owners Survey, more than 85 million families in the country, or approximately 67 percent of households in the US own at least one pet.

However, owning a pet is a huge responsibility. Aside from seeing to its needs such as food and healthcare, you must also be wary of how your home can affect its well-being. Your home can be comfortable to you, but it doesn't mean that it will be comfy or even safe for your pets.

Below are some basic pet-proofing tips you'll need to do, so your pet can live safely in your house.

Beware of Pests

Pests are the carriers of many diseases that can be especially debilitating to your animal companions. Ants can cause allergic reactions in bunnies, ticks can pass parasites to your dog and fleas can sicken your cats. However, the real danger is when these pests inadvertently pass the diseases they carry from your pets to you or your loved ones.

Make sure to assess the pests in your home, from ants to flies. There are companies that specialize in tick control services, as well as fleas and all manner of household pests. Regular treatments will be necessary if your home is to be a safe space for your pets.

Assess Plants 

Decorative plants and herbs are all the rage in many homes around the country. These plants provide some fresh air, wonderful scents and a splash of greenery in every house. However, not all ornamental plants you put in your home can be safe to your pets.

Cats and dogs have a habit of chewing on greenery because of the flavor or to aid in digestion. If your decorative plants are unsafe, you can inadvertently poison your pets. Some of the most toxic plants you need to keep out of your home include the sago plant, the cyclamen plant and oleander flowers. Consult with a veterinarian before you buy any new plants for your home.

Clear the Nightstand

Pets are apt to try to crawl into bed with you at night. They will also be liable to start playing or even eating the things you leave on your nightstand. These can include small batteries and, more dangerously, your medication. Human medicine is dangerous to animals because the chemical interactions won't be the same.

Instead of leaving your medication and other objects on top of your nightstand, lock them inside drawers. This will prevent your pets from accidentally ingesting your medicines or choking on small items such as batteries and jewelry. If you must leave items on top of your nightstand, secure them in lockboxes or similar contraptions.

Set Up Barriers

Cats and dogs are curious by nature. They will rarely settle for staying indoors and will most likely stray outside at the first opportunity. You need to set up various barriers around your home if you want to keep your pets corralled within your home and avoid having to search for them.

Instead of having just one door, you may find it prudent to install a screen door as well. This will allow your pets a view outside that they can find stimulating without letting them run outdoors. Put up barriers at the top and bottom of the stairs if you want to keep dogs and pets from scrambling down and injuring themselves. Finally, you should install narrow window security bars on all windows to prevent cats and even dogs from leaping outside. 

Tie Up Cables

Cats and dogs are endlessly fascinated by cables and cords to the point where they play with them. However, they also tend to play with these things with their claws and teeth. If your pet manages to gnaw through the protective coating of the cables, the electric current can be powerful enough to give them a nasty electric shock that could injure or even kill them.

If you want your pets to avoid electrocuting themselves, hide your power cords and cables. If you can't stow them away from your pet's claws, you can give them an extra layer of protection. There are plenty of durable electrical cord protectors you can buy to ensure that your pet's teeth and claws don't fray them so easily.

Keeping a pet is an immense responsibility and providing them with a safe and comfortable home is essential. So before you even think about buying a pet or stopping by the pound, make sure your home is up to standards of safety. 

15 comments:

  1. I have two dogs - a shih tzu and a labrador retriever. I find this article helpful, especially tieing cables. ha..ha.. I am guilty of this..

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  2. These are absolutely fantastic tips. When we got our dog as a puppy, I didn't realize that you had to basically baby proof the home. Dogs are like toddlers, except they're EVEN BETTER at getting into things that they shouldn't.

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  3. How wonderful! This is great for pet owners! - Sienna

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  4. These are all good points. We have two cats and we have been so careful about things like plants and wires.

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  5. Great advice for pet owners. Most people would not think of protecting their pets from plants.

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  6. Flooring is something that you need to look at when you own a pet. As a pet owner, our pets require time, attention, and as safe and comfortable a home as we do

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  7. When you're planning a home for both you and your pets, consider their particular needs. Thank you for these tips

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  8. I soo agree with setting barriers. My hubby installs the screen doors so our dog knows his limit haha

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  9. We got really lucky with our dog. We didn't have to do any of this. She was trained so quickly.

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  10. Tying up any cables! This is a huge pointer for me since we have a good number of those lying around.

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  11. Plants are a big one! I have a cat that will eat anything green within reach, so I have to be careful with my houseplants.

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  12. Cables was a big one for us! Our baby cat STILL chews on every cable going in the house. So we have to use strong electrical wire to stop her biting through and possibly hurting herself.

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  13. I'm going to own a dog soon and these will help me to do it.

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  14. Even I don't raise a pet, but my cousin will surely love this content for his dog. I will share this to him.

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  15. What a great and thorough post. We are thinking of getting a dog and this will come in handy.

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