Over the past several months, many have brought a new pet into their homes, or are taking it into consideration. Pets can bring so much to our lives, a proven fact.  The addition of a pet to a home is one of the biggest and best decisions a family can make, however.  Is your home ready for the task? Follow these tips for making your home pet friendly. 

 

Outdoors 

  • A safe environment is as important for a pet as it is for children and having a fenced-in area will usually keep your pet contained, and others on the other side. A pathway made of gravel, cement, or other material that is not plant-based will help knock off any debris that catches on paws and fur before pets go inside. 
     

  • Consider the plants in your landscaping, and make sure you have nothing that can make your pet ill if they ingest it.  The SPCA offers this great list of poisonous-to-animals plants to help you decide what does not need to be in your landscaping. 
     

  • When house-training, encourage your pet to use a specific area of the yard for easy clean-up, as well as keeping unwanted odors away from the house.   
     

  • Purchase an ID tag for your pet’s collar, with your name and contact information just in case they do get out and about.  Having your pet microchipped is like a two-step identification for them in case they lose their collar. 
     

  • Make sure window screens are secure when you open them in case Kitty wants to enjoy a nap there.  Investing in a window perch or creating a “catio” would be ideal for indoor cats to enjoy the outdoors safely. 

 

Inside Your Home 

  • Keeping pets brushed and their bedding changed and/or washed regularly is essential in keeping you from doing a lot of extra cleaning and floor repairs.  A hard surfaced, scratch-resistant floor is perfect for homes with pets. Area rugs need to be secure and washable.  
     

  • Be sure your trash container has a child-proof lid if it cannot be placed in a pantry or cabinet. Not only do you not want the mess, but Fluffy or Fido could eat something harmful. 
     

  • Crate-training is best for dogs, but most animals need a space of their own.  Provide a comfy pet bed, toys and food and water in a quiet area of the house. Your cat’s litter box should be kept away from their food in a quiet place. Having one more box than you have cats is optimal for them as well. 
     

  • Are you considering a bird, hermit crab, or other small pet? They require their own habitat, and some have specialized needs: safety from larger pets, child-proof habitat covers, and a room with certain temperature and humidity settings. 
     

  • Check with your local municipality to see if you need permits for exotic pets. 

 

Creating a pet-safe home is along the same lines as making sure your home is toddler-proof.  Because your pet will become part of the family, make sure you provide the best home, the same as you would for a relative.  When your pets are happy, it just adds to the sweetness that pets bring to life. 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins. 

Photo credit: Medium