10 Ways to Make Your Home Safe for Pets
Most pet owners are aware of the dangers posed to pets by poisonous plants. However, many pet owners are unaware of the danger posed by everyday household chemicals. Many household cleaners have toxic ingredients that can harm your pets, which can put them at risk of poisoning. Common toxic products include air fresheners, window cleaners, and bleach. Here are ten ways to make your home a safe, loving environment for your pets to live and play in.
- Cover the Rubbish
Pets have an uncanny way of getting into places they’re not meant to get into, including the bins. If you have a particularly greedy four-legged friend, it’s likely they’ll be tempted by anything edible in the bin, so make sure it’s always securely covered to ensure your pet can’t accidentally fall in or eat something they’re not meant to eat.
- Healthy Chew Toys
Pets tend to chew on items as a way to release stress or relieve boredom. They chew on furniture legs, skirting boards, rugs, and clothing, but this behavior can be dangerous. Wood can splinter and cause serious injury to your pet’s mouth and throat, whilst textiles can pull and get caught in teeth, causing dental issues. To avoid this, have plenty of chew toys available for your pet to chew on.
- Rugs and Claws
Puppies and kittens are adorable, but they can also be quite a handful. As anyone who has ever had a dog or cat knows, they can damage just about anything, including expensive furniture and flooring. Luckily, there are some ways to limit their damage, including the use of pet gates to keep pets out of places they shouldn’t be and scratch posts to encourage scratching in a safe way.
- Outdoor Safety
Keeping your pets safe outdoors is crucial for their overall health and happiness. It’s vital to create a secure environment for them when they venture outside. To achieve this, there are several important steps to take. Firstly, make sure your pets are wearing identification tags. This simple measure can be a lifesaver in case they wander off. Additionally, it’s crucial to keep them away from any hazardous areas that could pose a threat to their well-being. For added security, you can consider hiring professionals like these vinyl fence installation contractors Red Deer. They can install a fence around your property, creating a protective barrier that prevents your pet from wandering off or encountering wild animals.
- Keep the toilet closed
Some water-loving pets may have a strange obsession with your toilet, so it’s important to keep the lid closed to prevent slips and falls into the toilet bowl. As they fall, the lid may close on top of them, trapping them inside. Additionally, never leave a toilet open if it has bleach inside – cats love the smell of bleach and will try to lick it if they get a chance.
- Heavy objects
Many pets are keen explorers, so will likely find a way up onto high shelves and other precarious places. If you have any heavy objects on display, make sure they’re secure and pushed well back from the edge. A startled pet can easily knock objects over, which may land on top of them causing serious injury.
- Close windows
The phrase “curiosity killed the cat” isn’t an exaggeration. Many pets will be intrigued by an open window, and will likely attempt to jump out. Unfortunately, most pets aren’t great at determining height, so jumping from an upstairs window isn’t going to end well. Keep windows closed, or lock them into a position too narrow for your pet to jump through.
- Food Bowl
As tempting as it may be to head to the dinner table with your pet, it may be safer for your pet to stay in the kitchen whilst they eat. Providing your pet with a designated feeding area can protect them from such things as choking as you’ll be able to keep an eye on them as you cook your own food. They’ll also learn that the dinner table is for human food, reducing the likelihood of them eating things they shouldn’t.
- Garage safety
Pets will find a way into your garage if allowed to, but the garage can be a dangerous place if you keep your utility tools, paint, fuel, and oil on the floor, especially if the floor is slippery. To ensure a safe environment for your pets and yourself, consider investing in a slip-resistant floor coating. Reaching out to flooring companies like the ones offering Garage Floor Coating Naples (or elsewhere in your vicinity), who can reduce the risk of accidents caused by slippery surfaces, can be a wise move to create a secure and pet-friendly garage space. Providing a slip-resistant surface will grant you peace of mind and foster a safer environment for both your furry friends and your daily activities in the garage. Additionally, keep hazardous materials securely stored in an overhead garage storage rack, which would be away from your pet’s reach. Besides this, always check under your car before driving off because wheel hubs make an ideal place for your pets to sleep. Be extremely careful with this to avoid fatal accidents.
In this regard, getting detached Garages constructed can prove to be beneficial since they are separate from the main property. This can be a good way to keep your pet out of the garage. But they may still find their way in if the door is left open, so it’s up to you as the owner to make sure the door is closed when you don’t want them going in. Make sure to check the locks on the door and keep it shut when not in use. Additionally, inspect the area around the garage for any holes that your pet can use to get in.
- Avoid Dangling Wires
Wires pose two hazards: electrocution and strangulation. Pets don’t understand electrical safety, so it’s up to you to ensure wires are not live and no wire is exposed. Similarly, trailing wires should be avoided, so tuck them away somewhere they can’t cause an entanglement risk.
Safety should be a top priority when it comes to pets and keeping a happy and healthy household. Pets want to play with you just as much as you want to play with them, so it’s important to make sure your home is safe.
