Changing your home to suit your new pet
Everyone knows that when a pet is brought into the home for the first time, a few changes need to be made. The living accommodation should be adapted to help the pet settle in and to make sure that the home is safe for all concerned. It may be that the pet will not have the run of the house. There may need to be child gates put up in certain areas, for example, so a little bit of consideration and planning will need to be done beforehand.
Points to consider
The home should be comfortable for a pet. There is no point in confining an animal to a room with no bed and no access to food and water during the day. Providing a pet bed is a must, particularly if the homeowner is keen to keep the animal off the furniture.
The owner should also consider a range of toys for the pet to play with. Horror stories of animals chewing on furniture, shoes and other items are common, but this can be avoided if the pet has his or her own things to play with.
Cats are known for scratching furniture. There are ways of discouraging this behavior, but it is a good idea to provide a scratching post from the start.
Baby gates are a good idea for many reasons. It may not always be practical to let the pet have the run of the house, so perhaps during meal times, these gates can be used to keep the it out of the dining room. During the day, they can prevent the pet from going into the living room and climbing on the furniture. Careful placement means that precious items can be protected; yet the pet will still have plenty of space.
Décor
Those who are concerned about the décor in their home can make it pet friendly. Windows in particular could prove to be a hazard for a pet. Long trailing curtains and ties can be a health hazard if the animal becomes tangled in them, and these items can also be damaged in the process. However, windows are a source of fascination for pets, as they are curious about the outside world and want to see what is happening beyond the glass.
If the pet is a dog that persists in barking at the window, prevent him or her from disturbing the neighbors with the help of shutters. Real or faux shutters are available in a range of styles and look great against the window and will also prevent the dog from getting too close.
Walls will easily become marked when there are pets in the house, but if the paint used is a washable paint, then it can be easily cleaned. If wallpaper is the preference, then it is a good idea to opt for a washable paper in areas where the pet will be spending a lot of time.
Good flooring is essential. Carpets can quickly show signs of wear and tear when there is a pet in the house, so it is a good idea to opt for an easily cleaned laminate or wooden flooring. Add rugs that can be changed or washed as needed. If wooden floors are chosen, then ensure that they are sealed properly to prevent moisture and odors from seeping in.
*Special thanks to Dave Stephenson for the important guest post in lieu of the new dog in our home.
! Have a Fabulous Day ! – Jenny at Dapperhouse
Leah MacDonald
We’re not allowed to have cats or dogs in our house, because of our lease. However, we are proud owners of two guinea pigs named Little Whistle and Donut.
chattykat59
I have one dog and he has “run” of the whole house. Even when we are not home. We really didn’t have to “puppy proof” our house too much. He has his toy-box and knows what is off limits.
Sacha Schroeder
We have a zoo at this point! HA! Our animals are definitely part of the family!
FireRunner2379
We have fish, they don’t bark much!! and a cat. He has no claws so their is no threat to the furniture and he doesn’t climb on the counter. We got him from the shelter and I think he may have been an alley cat because he loves it outside. He has plenty of room in the yard, it’s fenced in, and loves to be out all the time, even in the rain!
Gina Brickell
I have a pomeranian that pretty much runs the house.. And does she bark a lot??!! Are you kidding I can’t get her to stop! I’ve purchased a bark collar and really need to about put two on her!
Katy
Great tips! We needed to do a lot when we brought our dog home as a puppy, including adding an extra grate over the fireplace, bulking up the bottom of our fence on the patio and adding child safety locks to the trash can cabinet.
Raina
We leave our pets to roam free. We do close the bedroom doors to keep them from getting stuck under the bed and hurting themselves.
Tammy Smith
I have a Mini Schnauzer that is about 2 yrs old now. He doesn’t bark alot, only when someone comes to the door, or when we are playing with him [and he has a “playful” bark he uses during play time]Hes a very good boy, and listens very well. Knows where he cant go in the house, and what furniture he can’t get on,and he rarely attempts to do those no- nos lol
John Hageman
We have a dog at home that is really nice when in the house, but needs too much attention to leave alone in the house. Also, outside she will run away when there is no one with her. This leaves us little choice but to have her chained up, which is unfortunate because she is a nice dog.