If you bought a new home and quickly realized that it wasn’t pet friendly, or you’ve just purchased a home and are thinking about adopting a dog or cat, you need to know how to make your new home pet-friendly. This guide explains.
How to Make Your New Home Pet-Friendly
Living with pets changes things a bit, and you need to make sure that your space is safe and healthy for them. Check out these tips to help make your new home pet-friendly:
- Check for dangerous hazards
- Look for “ladders”
- Double-check your plants
- Put the seat down
- Check the flooring
Scroll down for a closer look at each.
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How to Make Your New Home Pet-Friendly: Check for Dangerous Hazards
Though it may seem silly to do, get down on all fours and look at your new home the way your pet sees it. That way, you’ll be able to identify potential hazards that you may not be able to see from your height. Look for anything that could present a choking, electrocution, or suffocation hazard. That includes window treatment cords and wires that connect your appliances.
Related: Get a FREE copy of Family First: The Pet Parent’s Guide to Real Estate
How to Make Your New Home Pet-Friendly: Look for “Ladders”
Most pets are pretty clever, and if there’s something they want in a location they can’t reach, they’ll try to find a way. Check for things your pet could use as a ladder to get to the counter, tabletops, or other elevated areas.
Related: How your down payment changes your monthly costs
How to Make Your New Home Pet-Friendly: Double-Check Your Plants
Some plants are downright toxic to animals, so no matter how beautiful they are, you shouldn’t keep them in your home when you have pets. Some of the worst offenders are:
- Lilies
- Philodendron
- Oleander
- Chrysanthemum
- Aloe
- Jade plant
- Sago palm
How to Make Your New Home Pet-Friendly: Put the Lid Down
Toilets are breeding grounds for germs, and as such, we tend to pour a lot of chemicals in them. You should keep your toilet lid down so your pet isn’t tempted to drink from it (or at risk of falling in).
Related: What buyers need to know about Highland Beach oceanfront condos before making an offer
How to Make Your New Home Pet-Friendly: Check the Flooring
Flooring is tricky with pets. You want them to have traction, so there needs to be a space their paws can grip. However, carpet can be tough to clean (and has really fallen out of favor lately), and it’s hard on pets’ paws when they get a case of the zoomies. Your best bet is to make sure you have rugs strategically placed around your home, and that the harder-surface floors are treated to prevent scratches.
Related: Should you hire a dog-shipping service?
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