Our furry friends can be such darlings that it’s only natural to want to make our home theirs as it is ours. After all, they are, for all intents and purposes, members of our family, and they, too, deserve a bit of pampering. If you agree, here are the seven tips for turning your home into a pet haven and ensuring your fluffy buddy’s happy and healthy future.
#1 Keep items that are toxic for pets out of their reach
In some respects, pets are like kids – curious and sometimes unable to determine what is good for them and what isn’t. Sometimes a succulent leaf of a plant seems so tasty, and they can’t help but nibble on it a bit. But this is very dangerous behavior because many indoor plants are not safe for animals to eat. For example, if a dog decides to feast on a Sago Palm, it can end up with liver failure or death. What you can do is place your plants on a slightly elevated post that the non-climbing pets can hardly reach. Alternatively, if you own a particularly curious cat that likes to taste its surroundings, you might want to say goodbye to your inner garden’s toxic pieces.
Another hazard to pets’ health is products people commonly use to exterminate pests. These are designed to attract rodents or insects, but unintentionally, they can attract pets as well. Make sure you leave pest-control products in areas where your four-legged buddy’s snout does not have access.
#2 Keep breakables out of site
As the relocation experts from Centennial Moving have experienced many times, our little tail waggers tend to forget about their behind as they run around the house, which results in breaking a lot of stuff. Pet owners must be aware that their little fluffers are often very clumsy. Also, some cats, for example, just find it extremely entertaining to knock things over or push them to fall on the ground. Or simply, they misjudge the stability. A raccoon or a monkey will try to grab everything to climb somewhere, not knowing that the particular object cannot hold its weight. Therefore, it is best to either secure your breakables or remove them entirely from your pet’s reach.
#3 Build a playground for your pet to it happy and healthy
Just like people, animals need to be active to stay healthy. On top of that, running around and playing positively affects their mood. With today’s busy schedules we all are trying to manage, playing with our pets for hours is rarely a daily event. But you can ensure your pet gets everyday exercise by building a playground for it. All you need to do is do a little research on what is the most amusing activity of its kind.
For example, cats love an artificial cat tree that can be put in the living room or a hallway. Guinea pigs prefer obstacle courses that are on the ground level. Dogs are more of a toy kind of ball of fur. They are fine with a collection of toys they can drag around, bury, and subsequently dig out. Speaking of that, be careful! If you allow your dog to dig around your backyard, it will be quite challenging to keep your garden groomed.
#4 Remove the plug-in air fresheners to preserve your pet’s good health
A dog’s sense of smell is between 10,000 and 100,000 times stronger than the one of humans. Can you imagine how a creature with such a sensitive nose feels around the plug-in air fresheners that are often too strong even for humans? It is even questionable whether these devices are suitable for people. But it is a well-known fact that air fresheners, especially the plug-in type, can cause various health issues in pets. They can lead to eye, nose, or throat irritation, as well as headaches, nausea, and sometimes even cancer. They are terrible for cats’ lungs, whereas birds, which are very sensitive to airborne toxins, are at risk too.
Instead of these very harmful options, you should switch to the more natural ones. A lavender flower smells fantastically and reportedly helps with calming and falling asleep. A bunch of flowers in a vase and proper room aerating will make your air fresh and discretely fragrant. You will be surprised how much more comfortable that natural aroma is than any artificial smell.
#5 Creating a corner fully dedicated to your pet is a must when turning your home into a pet haven
Pets, as rightful members of any animal-loving household, deserve their own space where they can retire to. Just like humans, pets experience various emotions and prefer to deal with some of them privately. A sleepy, tired, or irritated four-legged buddy wants to be left alone and have where to go and enjoy some peace and quiet. Provide such a corner of your home to your pet.
#6 Install a pet door to give more freedom to your furry friend
You are your dog or cat’s whole world. When you and the rest of the family are away, your pup is bored and sad. But if it can go outside and come back whenever it wants, it would be much easier. This is especially important if you have relocated to a new home recently. The relocation itself is a very stressful event for any pet, especially if you are making a long-distance move. In that case, you should prepare well for what is coming to know what to expect and how to help your pet through these difficult times. It does not cost you too much to install a small pet door in your new home. Nevertheless, it would mean a lot to your four-legged friend. Your pet will be able to go in and out, finding so many interesting places to sniff and run while waiting for you.
#7 Switch to pet-friendly cleaning products
Perhaps the only downside to having a pet is that you need to clean your home more often and more thoroughly. But bear in mind that many products are highly toxic, and their residues, although invisible, remain everywhere. Your pet may develop inexplicable allergies, which can be linked to your cleaning products. To eliminate the possibility of this issue, switch to pet-friendly cleaning products. If that is too complicated for you to find, or where you live, you simply these are not available in any store; you can always go with natural substances such as water sprinkled with lemon juice or vinegar.
Conclusion
As you can see, a bit of effort goes a long way when it comes to turning your home into a pet haven. And it is worth it because you know what they say - A happy pet, a happy owner. Or something like that. So, give your soft little ball of fur a good belly rub and make your home the perfect place.
