You love your pets. Their health and happiness mean the world to you. Adding a cat or dog to your family can help to make your house feel more like home. Pets bring love, joy, and plenty of incredible memories.
Many factors go into having a healthy, well-loved pet. In addition to a high-quality diet, a comfortable place to sleep, and plenty of love, your home needs to be a safe environment. You may have things in your home that you use that aren’t safe for your pets. A dangling wire, medication bottle, or simple houseplant can lead to serious problems if your cat or dog gets into it. Here are a few tips to help you ensure that your home is a safe place for you and your pets to coexist in harmony.
Pet-Proof Your House
Much like new parents need to baby-proof their homes, pet parents need to pet-proof theirs. Animals are smart, but they don’t always know when something in the house is potentially dangerous. A dangling wire, for instance, may look like an ideal chew toy until your pet gets shocked. Medication bottles may look like fun chew toys. Animals may sniff or lick a harmful chemical not knowing that it’s dangerous.
To make your home safe for your pets, some ideas to consider include:
- Storing all chemicals out of reach.
- Cleaning up spills immediately.
- Making sure that there are no loose or dangling wires where your pets can reach them.
- Keeping medications in a high, closed cabinet.
- Using gates or closing doors to block off rooms where you don’t want your pets to go.
Pay Attention to Plants
Indoor plants help to clean the air and brighten up any space in the home. Not all plants are pet-friendly, however. If your pet is curious enough, he may chew some of the leaves. Chewing on toxic plants can have devastating effects.
If you want plants in your home, look for dog safe houseplants or plants that are safe for cats. This way, you can rest easy knowing that if your pet does get a leaf or two, he’s not in any serious danger.
Use Pet-Friendly Cleaning Products
Many of the conventional cleaning products you use around your home contain potentially dangerous chemicals. Not only can these chemicals cause skin and eye irritation (and breathing problems) for humans, but they can also affect your pets.
Rather than using conventional cleaners, look for eco-friendly ones that are safe for use around pets. These types of cleaners don’t use harsh chemicals, making them safe for you and your animal friends. You may even consider making your own cleaning products. If you decide to have your home professionally cleaned, be sure that the company uses products that are safe for all members of your family, human and animal alike.
Give Your Pet a Safe Place
Just like humans like to get away and have some alone time, so do pets. They need to have a place to go that’s safe and comfortable. A hazard-free area with a comfortable bed, water source and their favorite toys can give your pets a place to go to seek refuge when it’s needed. Giving your pets this space also keeps them from seeking shelter in a potentially dangerous place.
Make Your Yard Pet-Friendly, Too
It’s not just the inside of your house that needs to be pet-friendly. Any pets that go outdoors need a safe outside space too. In addition to regular flea and tick prevention, you can help to keep your pets safe by keeping the grass mowed, fencing in the yard, and providing a shelter to escape the elements. If your pets are going to be spending time outdoors (especially if you’re not going to be there with them) it’s also important to make sure that any flowers or plants within reach are safe. Any plants that aren’t safe for your pets should be kept where animals can’t access them.
When you have pets, a pet-friendly home is a must. Not only do you ensure the safety of your pet, but you give yourself peace of mind.
