How To Pet Proof Your Home
There is nothing better than a nice clean home, but our furry friends often seem to think otherwise! Pet proofing your home shouldn’t impact the comfort and accessibility of your living spaces, take some of these steps to protect your pets from danger and your home from damages.
General home & living room
Start off by creating a designated zone for your pet, furnished with a bed, toys, and clear of sharp edges and small items. This will help them settle right in and hopefully cause less ruckus around the rest of the house. Speaking of the rest of the house, follow these tips to ensure a safe and comfortable environment:
1- High shelves and storage are your best friend; move any small choking hazards or valuable items out of reach – e.g. jewellery, children’s toys etc.
2- Cable management; ensure cables are behind desks unreachable to your pets, use cable sleeves to organise and protect your cables if they can’t be hidden.
3- Be careful of your pot plants; many common house plants can make your dog or cat sick. Research to make sure the plants you display are pet safe.
4- Curtain strings must be secured; draw strings can be a strangulation hazard, they must be tied up or secured.
5- Floor planning; be attentive your room layout, chairs and couches can be used by pets to reach higher places so keep them arranged accordingly, keep chairs/couches away from windows to keep your windows clean.
6- Don’t use mothballs; avoid using mothballs in cupboards or drawers as they are toxic to pets, ensure your bug repellent and aromatic products are pet safe.
7- Tailor your furniture to your pets; consider furniture choices that suit your pet’s behaviour e.g, leather will be easier to clean, but other fabrics like a tight weave microfibre or canvas will be more resistant to scratches. Consider slip covers as an alternative to protecting your furniture.
8- Keep balls outside; as much as your pet may love chasing a ball, don’t allow them inside, your pet will undoubtedly leave them around the house and cause a slipping hazard.
Kitchen, bathroom and laundry
These areas are often the most dangerous areas in a home for pets, due to their many appliances, low shelves, and harmful foods and chemicals. If possible, restrict all access of these areas from your pets, otherwise take these tips to make them safer:
1- Appropriate storage; don’t leave things on tabletops in reach e.g. electrical appliances, cleaning products, food, medicines.
2- Lids and covers; ensure all bins, tubs, and products are covered.
3- Toilet water is not for drinking! Keep your toilet lid closed, for obvious reasons…
Don’t forget about the outside of your home!
An often-overlooked part of pet proofing your home are outside areas. Your front or backyard require equally as much precaution as your interior.
1- Lock down the fort; Ensure your gate/fence is sturdy and there are no gaps through which your pet can escape
2- Water & shade; Make sure your pet has accessible water outside (as well as inside) and that there is an area your pet can stay cool in the shade
3- Beware of plants & chemicals; Similarly to inside cleaning, be attentive to any garden care products and even plants you use in your garden as some can be toxic to pets.
4- Restrict area access; Any areas that may be dangerous to your pets should be suitably fenced off and/or shut at all times, e.g. garage/shed, pool/spa
Being proactive is the best way to ensure your pet’s safety and save you time and money. Effectively pet proofing your house allows you to live stress free while at work or home enjoying valuable time with your pets. Aside from pet proofing, keeping your pets happy with regular walks, toys, and attention is one of the best ways to prevent them tearing up the house. Keep in mind there will ultimately always be things you can’t prepare for and have to adapt to, stay aware, get creative, and make sacrifices where necessary, because at the end of the day there’s nothing more important than our beloved pets safety.
When designing your build, it’s important to consider pet proofing your home to ensure the safety of your furry friends. At Lofty Building Group, we understand the importance of having a pet-friendly home and are committed to helping you build the perfect space for both you and your pets. From pet-proofing the living room to ensuring a secure outdoor area, we work with you every step of the way to create a safe and comfortable environment for your pets. Whether you’re building a new home from scratch or choosing a custom build, Lofty Building Group is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you pet proof your home and create the perfect space for you and your pets.
