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Getting a pet can feel like taking the next big step in life, especially if you and your partner are giving yourself a trial run before having kids. Everyone wants to bring in a cat or happy or healthy dog into their house, and they are certain to give it all the love and attention it needs. However not all homes are built with pets in mind, so you may need to adjust your house to make it as pet friendly as possible. If you’re a first-time pet owner, you might not know where to start, so here’s some advice.
Make It Comfortable
Even non-pet owners know how much animals love to lounge and sprawl around the home, so one of the first things you’ll need to do is make the home as comfortable as possible. This starts with blankets, sofas, beds, and anything else you can think of. If you’re trying to keep your pets off the furniture, for the time being, look at which are the easiest fabrics to clean when owning a pet so you won’t have too many problems cleaning them should they find their way onto the sofa while your back is turned, even for half of half a second.
Remove Hazards
Pets are curious creatures, especially when they are young. They want to learn everything they can about the world around them, but this usually manifests as trying to eat it. The problem with this is that there are many poisonous plants or small items that could harm your pet. As you won’t be able to keep an eye on them forever, you should try to eliminate as many hazards as possible so you are confident of their safety even if you aren’t at home.
Think About Your Surfaces
Hardwood floors are always nice to look at, and they definitely make it easier to clean up any accidents your pet might have while you are still house training them, but there are also issues. Pet claws can scratch and ruin the wood, and as there is not a sufficient grip for them, they could skid and injure themselves when they get too excited. Because of this, think about putting down large rugs that will give them better stability if you don’t want to install brand new carpets.
Give Them a Place to Exercise
Being able to take your dogs for walks is one of the best parts of owning a pet, but they also need a place to exercise and burn off some energy during the rest of the day. You can look at the best advice for puppy and dog walking to get an idea of how much they need, while also considering how possible it is to give them someplace to play. A flat is not ideal for dogs, especially larger ones, but cats can usually get by fine if you install a cat tower to keep them engaged.
Pet Heaven
Sooner rather than later, your pet will become the liege of your home. There’s not much you can do the change this, but as long as it lives in the luxury you always wanted for it, do you really mind?
Sarah x
