A pet-friendly home offers cat and dog care with no threats to their safety from hazardous objects and materials in the environment. With a little effort, not only can your pets live and play safely but also you will be free from the worry that the animals in your care could come to harm if you are not able to watch over them every minute.
Just as people baby-proof and child-proof their homes, new pet owners must prepare in a similar way for an addition to the family from the animal world. When you are planning to adopt a pet whose care and safety will be in your hands, pet-proof your home and make sure it is free from potential hazards before you bring them home.
Do You Have Enough Room for the Pet You Want?
Consider the size of your home and the size of the animal you are planning to adopt and make sure you have enough room for his comfort and safety and for yours, too. A little puppy might be a happy choice for your small apartment, but if that little puppy happens to be a Great Dane, you might soon be cramped for space!
Your home must be big enough to accommodate all the inhabitants comfortably. Everyone needs room to move around and a place to sleep and eat that doesn’t make life difficult for the rest of the household. Make sure you choose a pet that won’t outgrow your home.
Can You Keep Harmful Foods Out of Reach?
Make sure everyone in the family is on board with the foods pets can and can’t eat, and which ones are downright dangerous. Young children might see cats and dogs eating substances outdoors that look and smell disgusting to them and conclude that animals can safely eat any food without harm. Spell out the dangers of some of the family’s favourite foods that must never be fed to, or left within reach of, household pets—for example, chocolate in any form is poisonous to cats and dogs.
See that everyone understands that certain foods should always be kept out of the pet’s reach: salt, artificial sweeteners, grapes, raisins, garlic, onions, chives, meat that is not fully cooked, items containing caffeine, dough with yeast in it, avocadoes, macadamia nuts, and eggs for example.
Are Dangerous Objects Accessible?
The dangerous objects list is the same list everyone uses when child-proofing a home. Neither children nor pets should have access to items such as knives, tools, or sharp objects; matches, lighters, or anything combustible; medications, household cleaners, or anything containing poisonous chemicals.
Make sure your pets can’t access items that must be kept away from children too. Fortunately, pets can’t open drawers and doors, so it is easier to keep them out of harm’s way. Just remember to keep drawers and doors shut if there are dangerous objects in them or behind them.
Can Pet Features be Included in Your Home?
Do you have the money and room for pet features in your residence?
- If you have a cat, you can always find room for a scratching post.
- Both cats and dogs love window seats.
- Built-in places for water and food bowls help contain the mess.
- Cats enjoy climbing structures.
- Bathing and grooming areas for dogs makes life easier for owners.
There are lots of fun features that you can buy or have built for pets if you have the room and the money for them. However, the most important pet feature of your home should be that it is pet-friendly and assists you in supplying the best cat and dog care you can possibly provide to keep them happy and healthy.
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