Deciding to adopt a pet is no small decision. While the joy can be overwhelming, you don’t want to forget to properly prepare your home for your new friend.
In case you’re not sure where to start, take a look below for some useful tips that should help you create a pet-friendly space.
8 Tips How To Create Pet Friendly Space
Keep precious items high
For starters, you need to understand that the pet will probably be running around the place while trying to get accustomed to its new surroundings.
While wandering through your home, the chances are high that they will run into things, break them, and potentially get injured. With that in mind, you want to keep the items that are precious to you on high shelves or behind locked doors.
That way, no glasses, vases, photo frames, and mirrors will get broken. On the other hand, dangerous items like chemicals and medication should also be put away where your pet can’t reach them. This is the best way to keep your little friend out of harm’s way.
Make sure your trash bins have lids
Something else you need to pay attention to is the trash. There are many things you might throw away without actually thinking about how they could harm your pet.
From chemicals to old food all the way to indigestible items, various hazardous items are put into the garbage bin. To keep your pet safe, you want to make sure there is a lid on the trash.
Moreover, you can also put the bin in a closet or cabinet. The toilet is another item around the house that also needs to have the lid down to eliminate both drowning and poisoning risks.
Hide all wires
Pets are often in danger of choking, suffocation, strangulation, and electrocution hazards. If you have wires out in the open, you’re putting your friend at risk.
You want to hide all cables from lamps, devices, appliances, and electronics so that your little friend can’t reach them. Get cable protectors or hide them inside cabinets, in case they are not already concealed.
Pick pet-friendly plants
If you’re a plant lover in addition to being an animal lover, you need to know which ones could be harmful to your pet. In case your home is already full of houseplants, you should look them all up and find a new home for those that are toxic.
If none of your friends can adopt them, at least try putting them in higher spots or areas that your cat or dog can’t reach. When purchasing new ones, it’s a good idea to know which indoor plants are pet-friendly.
For example, ponytail palm, Boston fern, spider plant, thyme, and rosemary are all safe, so feel free to decorate your home to the max.
Steer clear of rugs and carpets
You might want to add rugs and carpets to your home to make it cozy and inviting. However, keep in mind that it’s not a good idea in areas where your pets are.
Hardwood and tiles will be much easier to clean than a rug as the latter will accumulate plenty of hair and bacteria, both from you and the pet. This can affect both your and your pet’s health.
Avoid having light-colored upholstery
Another thing that you might want to avoid is having light-colored upholstery. While white, creamy, and light gray might look stunning in your living room, it might not be as easy to clean once your pets get a hold of it.
No matter if it’s couches, pillows, or curtains, opt for a shade that can cover stains more easily. Furthermore, look for pet-friendly materials that are scratch-free and don’t absorb odors.
Add a few blockades
If you want to section off certain areas and make them no-pet zones, you can install blockades that will prevent your pets from entering them.
Whether you want to keep them out of the kitchen or stop them from bringing a mess into your bedroom, you should look for the right kind that will work for your pet.
Create space for them
Finally, while you should make it clear which zones are not available, you should still make sure your pet feels loved in your home. That is why you should create areas where they can sleep, feed, and play.
From getting a scratching post for your cat to putting a dog bed next to your bed, show your pet how much you care.
As you can see, there are a few things to keep in mind if you want a pet-friendly home. From making sure they stay safe to protecting your possessions, act on time.
