Introducing a new pet into your home is filled with overjoy and excitement. There are things you need to prepare in your home to ensure that your little furry friend is in a safe environment. To make sure that you get this crucial step correctly, we have put together a list of tips that you can use to make sure that your home is pet friendly. Read on!

1. Start low

From your perspective, your house may look very safe, but you need to look out for any potential hazards that your pet may get hurt by. Get on all fours and inspect your house. Some potential hazards will be apparent right away. Look out for strangulation hazards such as long cords and cables. Unused power points must be plugged so that they are not electrocution hazards.

 Unnecessary cords must be unplugged and cables must be bedded down. Any exposed wires must be dealt with as well. Many pets choke or suffocate on small innocuous things such as plastic bags. Any plastic wrappers must be removed from the floor or from any surfaces that your pet will be able to reach.

2. Put things away

Anything that is left lying around is potential food for your pet. All food must be safely stored in sealed containers. A lot of what humans eat can be toxic to pets so you must be vigilant. Waste must also be disposed of as quickly as possible. Older dogs may learn how to open rubbish bins and this will require you to take out the trash even sooner.  Food scraps must not be left lying around as it will get eaten and you do not want this to happen.

The way you need to be vigilant when it comes to leaving medicine lying about when you have children in your home, your pet will require the same. Prescription medicine and even over the counter medicine can be toxic to your little furry friend. It may not taste good but the bright colours that come on some capsules and pills are enticing and your pet may end up ingesting medication.

3. Make enough room

If you were getting a new roommate, you’d ensure that there was enough space for them to feel comfortable. The same holds true for pets. You need to make sure that they have a well-padded bed, a bowl of fresh water available and plenty of room for them to play. Having designated places for feeding and playing will also make it easier to house train your pet.

At Maine and Crawford, we have a special pet care department. We have a wide range of pet products that you can choose from. Our team of home design experts can help you choose furniture that is pet friendly.