If you want to make sure your pet feels comfortable in your apartment, read this. Here are the seven secrets to making your apartment more pet-friendly.
With their cute little faces and heartwarming eyes, our dogs and cats aren’t just our pets — they’re our fur babies!
And babies, whether human or animal, need love and protection. So, it’s essential that we make our apartments safe and nurturing for the little ones we love so much.
Pets aren’t that different from children. They need a safe space to live in, and you need to take some precautions to make sure that they’re secure at all times — especially when you’re not there.
Ready to learn how? Here are seven secrets to making your apartment more pet-friendly:
1. Create a Space Specifically For Your Pet
Regardless of the size of your apartment, it’s important to carve out a dedicated space for your dog or cat. It can be a whole room or a small corner, as long as it’s a place they know is theirs.
In that area, add a doggie bed and a box of toys for your dog. If you have a cat, put out a box with your kitty’s favorite blanket or set up a cat condo and a scratching post.
Think about what your pet loves the most and put it in a special area that’s all for them.
2. Keep Them Entertained With Toys
While cats may be prone to sleeping all day, dogs tend to need entertainment. Along with a doggie bed, add a basket of toys to your pup’s designated space. Make sure it has an open top so your dog can access the toys when you’re not there.
Pay special attention to the type of toys you choose. Not all toys are safe for all breeds.
Some chew toys may be safe for small dogs but not for large dogs, so always make sure your pet’s toys are appropriate for their size and breed.
3. Add Child Locks to Cabinet Doors
Pets are curious creatures. They like to explore, sniff things out, and get into spaces where they’re not supposed to be. Like small children, you can protect them with the use of child safety locks.
Add child locks to cabinet doors and closets that contain hazardous items. You don’t want them to get access to cleaning products, detergent pods, or household chemicals.
Most people store those items in low cabinets beneath their kitchen and bathroom sinks, so make sure that your pet isn’t able to get to them.
Child locks are also a great way to protect your personal items.
Do your pets have a tendency to chew on your shoes, scratch your leather handbags, or sleep in your laundry baskets? If so, add a child lock to your closet door so you don’t have to worry about your favorite items getting destroyed when you’re not there to supervise.
4. Remove Dangerous Objects
Be careful that your apartment doesn’t contain any choking hazards. Just like children, pets can easily choke on small items.
Do not decorate with tiny objects that your pet can swallow or choke on. It’s also important not to decorate with any sharp objects that could pierce them.
Be extra cautious when buying decorations for your apartment. Even beads or sequins on a throw pillow can pose a risk to a curious pet.
When it comes time to decorate for the holidays, be extra careful not to hang ornaments too low on your tree. It's also best to avoid decorating with glittery items, as glitter could end up in your pet’s fur or eyes.
5. Get Non-Tipping Food and Water Bowls
If you’re a good pet parent, you already know how important it is to leave food and water out for your pet when you’re at school, at work, or out for the night. That’s a given.
But are you using the right type of bowls?
Don’t use flimsy plastic bowls. There’s a chance your pet could tip it over, and if you’re not there to see it, they’ll be left without food or water until you return.
Invest in a good set of heavy-duty food and water bowls that your pet won’t be able to knock over. Ceramic dishes and stainless steel bowls are the best options if you want to be sure your pet has plenty of food and water while you’re out.
Automatic feeders can be helpful too. If you can’t free-feed your pet, get an automated feeder that releases food periodically throughout the day.
6. Avoid Toxic Plants
Fresh greenery, flowers, and potted plants make great decorations. But unfortunately, there are a lot of plants that are toxic to pets.
Common plants, such as aloe vera, ivy, amaryllis, and certain palms, are toxic to dogs. Oleander, hyacinth, and Spanish thyme are just a few of the many plants that are poisonous to cats.
Before you start decorating your home with plants and flowers, make sure they are non-toxic to your breed.
Not sure if your houseplants are safe for your cat or dog? Check out this list of toxic and non-toxic plants for pets.
7. Install the Right Curtains and Blinds
Do you have window blinds that open with cords or chains? These can be dangerous — especially to cats who love to sit in the window.
If your blinds and curtains are safe for children, they’ll be safe for pets. Never hang any type of curtain or blind that has a looped cord or a chain that could get tangled around your pet’s neck.
In Summary
You can make your apartment more pet-friendly by following these simple rules:
- Create a space that’s just for your pet.
- Keep toys around to entertain them.
- Use child locks on cabinets that hold harmful chemicals.
- Keep sharp objects and choking hazards out of reach.
- Use food and water bowls that won’t tip over.
- Don’t decorate with toxic plants.
- Avoid curtains and blinds with cords or chains.
Before you leave for work or school tomorrow, make sure you’ve taken these precautions. That way, when you return home, your happy and healthy pet will be waiting to greet you at the door!
Author Bio:
Jenny Bullock works with Broadstone Briar Forest to make life better for their residents every day. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University.
