Whether it’s tightly sealing your garbage cans or paying attention to dangerous decorations during the holidays, you’ll need to make your home safe before adopting. That includes keeping toxic foods, pet-unfriendly plants and dangerous household items out of the pets reach. Here are some suggestions for preparing your home to welcome your new Dog or Cat.
Put a cozy bed for your pet in every room. Pets are much more likely to keep off of furniture if they have attractive alternatives.
If you have a cat, try putting double-sided sticky tape or upside-down carpet runners on furniture to discourage them from scratching.
Avoid vertical blinds, pooling drapery, ornate tassels and long cords that can become hazards.
If you have cats, be sure to install high-quality screens on all windows.
It may be a good idea to roll up and store decorative rugs until your new dog is fully house-trained.
Provide your new cat with a variety of scratching posts and perches.
Use dog crates and gates to confine your new dog when home alone until his house manners earn him freedom.
Provide plenty of things for your dog to chew. If he has attractive toys and bones of his own, he’ll be much less likely to gnaw on your things!
Checks to make sure that plant in and around your home are not poisonous to pets.
