To many people, pets are more than animals; they are members of the family. If you’re building a new house or will be moving to a new home, there are things that you need to do to ensure that it is safe for the four-legged members of your family. Here are some tips for making your new home as safe as possible for your pets:
Indoors
1.Get Down on the Ground
The best way to pet-proof your house is to get down on their level. Crawl around the floor on your hands and knees and look at your home the way your pet sees it. Look for any strangulation, suffocation, choking and electrocution hazards. Cover wires, put child-safety plugs in outlets that aren’t being used and shorten any cords to your blinds or curtains.
2.Clear the Tables
Putting your grandmother’s treasured knick-knacks out on the coffee table isn’t a good idea. Remember that most dogs have tails that can clear a table in one happy swipe. Even if your dog doesn’t have a tail, it may still decide to take a run through the house and bump or slide into the coffee table. If you don’t want it broken, it shouldn’t be on a table.
3.Garbage Cans
Garbage cans should either be put in a locked cupboard or should lock on their own. It’s a fact that pets get into the garbage and, when they do, stand a very real possibility of eating something toxic or choking on a bone, seed or core.
4.Lock the Cupboards
Install child safety latches on any cupboards that are ground level in the kitchen and bathroom. Pets are very adept at opening cupboards and getting into things that they shouldn’t. In addition to locking your cupboards, try to store any poisons, toxins or cleaning products in higher cupboards that your pets can’t reach.
5.Watch the Windows
Many people like to keep windows in order to allow their dogs and cats access to fresh air. Even though you may love to throw your windows wide open on a nice, breezy day, resist the urge to do so. Cats are notorious for falling out of windows and dogs can push through a screen in seconds. When you open your windows, open them only an inch or two if you have cats, and open them no more than three or four inches if you have larger dogs.
Outdoors
1.Toxic Plants
If your dog or cat will have the run of the backyard, make sure that any plants you grow are non-toxic. Lilies, amaryllis, mums, aloe vera and some vine plants are all toxic to pets. If you have these in your backyard, either remove them or make sure that your pet doesn’t have access to them.
2.Wipe up the Antifreeze
Antifreeze is incredibly attractive to pets and also very toxic. If you have antifreeze in the garage, make sure that it is capped tightly. If you spill antifreeze, make sure that you wipe it up immediately.
Moving can be very exciting but you can’t forget your pets’ safety. If you follow the tips above, you’ll help to ensure that your new home is as safe an environment for your furry friend as your old one was.
John is a pet lover and content contributor for we buy houses.