Changes To Make To Your Home When You Have a Pet!
Changes To Make To Your Home When You Have a Pet!
So you're thinking about getting pets. Whether it's a new pet or you adjusting to a house after living in an apartment, here are some you can do around your home to make your household one that's comfortable for everyone.
Make sure you have a pet door installed.
If you're not sure where to start, contact a professional to help. Pets need exercise, and if you work during the day, this will be the best way for them to get it. As much as you can make exceptions, in the beginning, to go to the dog park your resident dog will need to run around on its own. A tired dog after a good run is a happy dog. To introduce a good routine may take some work and an adjustment for your house but it will help prepare your dog for the first few days where you will not be available to play with.
If you have a yard, make sure it's fenced in. This is especially important if you have a dog. Not only will it keep your pet in your yard but it will also protect other animals, mainly birds. You want your good dog to bring your gifts like a nifty stick, not dead birds.
Install pet-specific furniture.
Like us, pets need sunlight and physical exertion.
In that same spirit, consider putting up climbing structures for your cats. They enjoy this sport just as much as dogs do, and if they're friendly with other pets chances are they will have good company to play with. Just make sure the structure is not in direct sunlight all the time - or at least make it so that parts of the structure are shadowed.
Cats also enjoy a scratching post. Not only does this help them keep their claws in great shape, but it also looks so much better than scratched-up furniture and rugs. You can even plant a tree near your home for this purpose. Your dog may not be as interested but other pets would love it.
If you have a bird, get them a birdbath.
Birds enjoy bathing and it will give you a chance to watch them while they're preening.
Many birds also like to sunbathe. Place their bath in an area where they can do this safely - maybe near a window that they can easily perch on. With birds, you need to have the right protocols in place so that both you and the bird can get fresh air without one of you, well only the bird realistically, flying out of the open window.
Put up baby gates in every room with stairs so your pet can't get into dangerous places
Speaking of boundaries, there are places in your home where you do not want them to wander. It's good to set those expectations since moving day but over a longer period, even the best puppies can forget.
Baby gates can delineate a separate area where your pet is not meant to go to. As they grow, you may find that both dogs and cast can bypass a gate but it's important to stress the need for them to respect those boundaries. Rewarding good behavior with treats will seem tedious in the first few weeks but when they adjust they will behave.
Get rid of any plants or flowers that are toxic to pets.
This includes chocolate, grapes, raisins…all the good foods. If you have had your pet long enough to know what they like to eat, great! But just in case - do your research and avoid any food that's poisonous for pets.
Even if it's just a herb garden, keep them away from that too. What may seem harmless to us can be toxic to them. New food is always exciting but when a new puppy home, a list of dangerous foods is one of your priorities.
You can make changes in your home like raising your herb garden to unattainable heights or fencing off the area.
Make sure you give your pet a safe space.
Have their little corner of the house where they can sit and relax - maybe near a window or under some sunlight. This way, if for some reason they want to be alone they're not closed off from any other part of the house and can still be part of family life. Pay attention to their body language and make sure that their house training is not negatively affected by the new environment.
If it's the first time you're taking care of a dog in a new home, the most important thing is to stay calm. If they feel safe in a crate, make sure that they can access it at all times. Rushing will not make a pet adjust faster, on the contrary. It's best to reinforce positive behaviour as often as possible but don't rush them. Make sure that you pack what you need so that your pup has positive first impressions of their new home.
If you have a dog, make sure they always have water available.
It's especially important in the summertime when it's hot outside. Dogs will often drink from puddles and this can make them sick. Not to mention that it's just bad manners. Always have a fresh and clean bowl of water available for them.
You may not have noticed but cats are very particular about their food and water too. If you have hardwood floors, this is even more important because it's near their litter box which they need to keep clean at all times. Keep your kitty's water bowl away from where they do their business. Whether you're dealing with a new house or a new family member (meaning the cat) it's important to keep some things constant in a transition period.
Introducing a new pet into your home is always a big adjustment, especially if you're moving. There are some things you can do to make the transition smoother for both you and your pet.
Install an alarm system for your home - cats are sneaky!
This one is for the safety of your pet. If you're going to be out of the house for a while or just can't keep an eye on them, make sure you have a reliable alarm system set up. The last thing you want is for your pet to get out and risk getting hit by a car or worse. You can also set up alerts through text messages just in case there's something urgent that requires your attention.
It's an extra expense but it's worth it in the long run. Especially if you have a cat, they are very resourceful and can find a way to get out of any home.
Make sure your pup or cat has identification on them at all times. This is another important one, especially if you're moving to a new area.
Invest in a good pet bed and plenty of toys to keep your pet amused.
It's best to keep them in the same room where you're moving their litter box and food dish. This way they won't feel like they're being left behind or isolated from everything else. The first weeks can be rough, as it may take them a while to adjust but it will help if there are familiar things around during this time and on the big day.
Keeping your dog active will help the dog adjust to its new dog home.
Make sure you have enough food and water bowls for your pet
Your home needs to be as cozy for you as it is for your friend. It's their shelter, where their leash rests on a hook, and where people that love them give them treats. It's important then to have enough space to store and wash their food and water bowls. Those do need to be separate.
For the safety of your home, make sure that the surface on which your furry friends will eat and drink is easy to clean and won't be damaged by water too easily. The last thing you want is claws and teeth gnawing at warped floorboards.
Having a designated area is critical. They need to understand where they will feed and where they can expect to sleep.
Regularly vacuum and sweep your floors to get rid of pet hair.
The initial meeting between a dog or a cat with a vacuum is eventful, to say the least. Whether or not the stress of the initial interaction fades, it's important to spend time cleaning up pet hair. It's not just for your hygiene but theirs as well.
Your household is one where your whole family lives and everyone should expect a clean environment. It may be tempting to keep the initial interaction brief between a dog and a vacuum but to keep their toys, their crate, and their bowls clean, some barking might be the price you need to pay.
Create areas for quality time.
Whether they had a good day with the other dogs at the park or had their fill of playing with their favourite toys, your resident dog needs to know where it's appropriate for them to demand your attention. Animals are often more intelligent than we give them credit for.
To conclude:
Having a pet can bring a lot of joy to your life, but it's important to make sure your home is ready for them before bringing them home.
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