Turn Your Home into a Pet-Friendly Zone
If you’ve just welcomed a new four-legged member to your family or you’re about to get a dog, you should know that your life will have to change. Most of the changes will be for the better, but only if you do your part and turn your home into a pet-friendly zone. You also need to realize that dirt, mud, and pet hair will become inevitable parts of your daily life, while you can only hope that a dog’s puke, poop, or pee will not be frequent occurrences.
Another thing you should probably be aware of is that your dog will spend most of the time either inside the house or in the yard, which means that those two areas need to be as safe and pet-friendly as possible. So, what are some of the most widely accepted tips, which can help you turn your home into a pet-friendly zone?
Restricted access
Think of a puppy as a baby that should not only be denied access to some parts of the home but who should also be protected from falls. That’s why you should fit child locks on floor level cupboards, particularly those containing cleaning materials. Also, baby gates at the top and bottom of your stairs are a great idea since they will both protect puppies and older dogs from falling and restrict their access to some areas.
Safety in the Home
Puppies are curious by nature and can find their way into the strangest places where you’d never think of looking for them. So make sure your doors to the oven, microwave, fridge, or tumble-dryer are closed at all times. This is especially true when it comes to a warm dryer, which is why everyone in the family, including the kids, should keep the doors closed.
Fire hazards
One of the greatest dangers is definitely any form of naked flame, including lit candles and burning incense. Your dog is likely to be curious or unaware of the danger, so it’s up to you to make your home safe. That’s why many dog-owners are opting for child and pet-friendly alternatives. Also, find a reliable buying guide for best electric fireplaces, since your home would be much safer with one of those.
Fabric and blankets
You might want to consider introducing different upholstery options, such as velvet instead of linen and tweed since you want a material that can’t be snagged by dog nails and which is relatively resistant to collecting dog hair. Your dog is also likely to appreciate throw blankets, but not as much as you will. Namely, such blankets will protect your upholstery from paw print and dog hair. The same blankets can be used to cover dog crates if you have one.
Fence your garden
If you don’t have a fence, now is the time to have it installed, since dogs are known as energetic and curious animals that like to roam around. The height of your fence will depend on the size of your dog. If you have a fence already, make sure there are no gaps through which your dog can squeeze and wander off. Some dogs also like to dig, so your fence panels need to be sunk well into the ground.
Protect your plants
Those homeowners proud of their gardening skills should know that some dogs like pulling out plants and flowers and take great pleasure in doing so. One of the options to deal with this problem is to create small fences around the flowers you’d like to protect or have more potted plants, preferably elevated from the ground. Also, make sure the flowers in your garden are pet-friendly.
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Remove potential dangers
Again, depending on the dog’s size, you might have a problem with some objects, such as ladders in your garden since your four-legged friend may accidentally knock them over and cause damage. Also, your swimming pool and pond need to be covered and protected when not in use.
Outdoor shelter
Those dogs that like spending time outside need to be protected well from the elements. The shelter should serve as both a sun-protection and a refuge from rain or snow. If you have a dog house where your dog likes to spend time, make sure that the roof doesn’t leak and that your dog is safe inside.
Remove dangerous substances and plants
Just like you shouldn’t allow access to chemicals in the house, the same applies to some substances, such as cocoa chips, which some people use instead of bark. There are also plants that should be removed so that your dog is not exposed to potential skin irritation or poisoning. Such plants include Lily, Azalea, Daffodil, and Hydrangea are not pet-friendly. Needless to say, don’t use weed killer or rat poison (if they are not pet-friendly), since your dog might get poisoned easily.
As you can see, there are many things you need to do if you want your house to be pet-friendly and safe. Still, they don’t require any substantial expenditure, and if you train your dog well, you’ll be able to enjoy some fantastic time with your new friend.
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“Turn Your Home into a Pet-Friendly Zone”
“Heartworm Disease in Dogs – What You Need to Know”
Guest Author: Diana Smith is a full-time mom of two beautiful girls and a proud owner of proud owner of German Shepard Billy and apricot poodle Sam. In her free time, she enjoys exercising and preparing healthy meals for her family.
Diana Smith also wrote:
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