Homeowner Tips to Pet Proof Your Home for a New Pet

Homeowner Tips to Pet Proof Your Home for a New Pet

 Here are a few tips to help you get your home ready for a new pet.

• Install childproof locks on your cabinets in bathroom and kitchen so your new pet can’t open them and get to potentially dangerous items. 
• Put anything your pet can reach — medicine, chemicals, etc. — on a high shelf.
• Buy covered trash containers that can’t be knocked over easily.
• Keep food and pet food up high or in covered buckets.
• Put up any electronic cords to prevent animals from chewing on them and shocking themselves.
• Hide any small items your pet could chew on or knock over and break. Buy your pet some toys or chewy sticks.
• Move poisonous plants outside, or place them out of reach. You can go on 'Google' to find out if your plants are safe for pets.
• Buy your pet a bed or crate so they have their own space to rest, relax and sleep. 
• Put sofa covers/sheets on your furniture for the first few weeks.
• Buy some cleaners for unexpected messes and accidents.
• Put clothes and shoes in closets and keep the closet door closed.
• Keep any medications, cosmetics,  and household cleaners out of reach of pet.
• Secure garbage cans with lids or store them underneath cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms.
• Keep your animals away from pools or ponds to avoid drowning.
• Check your fence for any holes to ensure your pet can’t escape from the yard.
• Designate an area in backyard as your pet’s bathroom. Keeping it to the same spot helps prevent damage to your bushes or grass. Inside cats need a kitty litter box so they learn where to go.
• Vertical blinds and window treatments that have hanging tassels or cords could end up choking your pet looking out the windows. Hang up the cords or tie them up high.
• If you have carpeting, use enzymatic cleaner to eliminate urine and poop smells. Area rugs are good but seem to attract dogs that chew.
• Tile and linoleum flooring are easy for handling pet accidents. This is a handy place to put your dogs when at work or away from home. When the pets get bored, they get into trouble.
• Make sure your hardwood floors and tile grout are sealed.
• Get your pet micro-chipped, vacinated and spayed or nuetered early after your get them to keep them at home and healthy.

***Ready to give an adoptable pet their forever home? Find your best friend at a pet adoption event or at a shelter in your area.

Here are a few holidays to remember for August regarding pets and pet adoptions.

Aug. 1: DOGust Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs. The North Shore Animal League America, the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization, declared August 1 as a birthday for all the shelter animals whose birthdays are unknown. Happy DOGust!!

Aug. 5: Work Like a Dog Day.

Aug. 2-8, 2015: International Assistance Dog Week.

Aug. 15: National Check the Chip Day. AVMA and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) joined together to create “Check the Chip Day.”

Aug. 15, 2015: International Homeless Animals’ Day®. From the International Society for Animal Rights.

Aug. 17: National Black Cat Appreciation Day.

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