Pet Proofing Your Home

Adding a new pet to your home is adding a new member to your family! Pets require space in your house to play and relax, and sometimes, your human household items pose a threat to their safety. Discover some tips for ensuring that your home is just as comfortable for you as your pets.

House Plants

There are a wide variety of houseplants that are toxic to pets. Some pets can live in a household and never pay any attention to the plants. However, it is recommended to make sure any potentially poisonous plants are out of reach from dogs and cats. Trish Engle from the local floral shop, K’nees, suggests getting creative with your house plants and displaying them in unique locations. Macramé plant hangers are very in-style again and keep your plants and pets safe from each other.

Cleaning Products

Some traditional cleaners can also be toxic to pets. Switch to natural household cleaners as much as possible! Many brands like Young Living Thieves, Mrs. Meyer’s, Seventh Generation, and Nature’s Miracle all indicate natural or non-toxic cleaners that are safe to use around furry family members. Essential oils, vinegar, and baking soda are all easily accessible to create homemade cleaners, too. Even if your cleaning products are non-toxic, still keep them out of reach from pets.

Food and Medicine

It can be a difficult habit to break, but it’s the safest option never to feed pets human food. Even if your pet eats human food that is “safe,” it can still lead to complicated health issues from being overweight or create choking hazards. Chocolate, onions, and grapes are all common ingredients in human meals but can turn poisonous when ingested by pets. If your pet accesses any human medications, it is also very important to monitor their health and call Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 if you noticed adverse reactions.

Furniture

Your pets are really the threat to furniture! Chewing, scratching, and fur doesn’t always mix with a pristine home. Solid wood furniture can hold up a little better, and having rounded edges to tables can prevent injuries during play. Layng down a rug will better protect hardwood floors and prevent slips when racing around the house. There are even washable rug brands that make accidents an easy cleanup.

Throws are a great addition to place over cloth and leather furniture that is easily washable. You can also create a comfy space that is designated just for your pets that might prevent them from shedding too much directly on couches and chairs. Finally, if you have a territorial cat, try gently rubbing a cloth across their face and then rubbing the same cloth on new furniture. The glands on cat faces have a unique scent, and this will already provide comfort to your kitty that the furniture is a cohesive part of their environment.

Use these tips for acclimating a pet to a new space or a new pet to your current space! It is essential to adjust your home environment to your pet to keep everyone in the family happy and healthy.