Our pets are important members of our family and spend most of their lives indoors with us. We need to take their safety and comfort seriously when purchasing or renovating any home.

Their Safety comes first:

• Look out for any cords, whether electrical or from curtains, that a pet can get entangled or electrocuted with.
• Medications and foods (many can be poisonous to our pets) should be inaccessible to them.
• Remove rubbish daily and ensure that your bin opens with a foot pedal and has a tight-fitting lid so as to eliminate odors. It should smell fresh all the time.
• Make sure that all indoor and outdoor plants are non-toxic.
• All housecleaning products, fertilizers and pesticides should be kept in a lock up room with no access to pets.
• Toilets lids should be down at all times to avoid accidental drowning or ingestion of toilet cleaners.
• Place screens on windows that are too high.

Give them their own space:

Choose a safe area of the home to place their bed and their water bowl. Ensure that they have a few pet friendly toys to play with. Exercise is important for them so if you can, have an accessible garden area available for play time. Litter boxes should not be near feeding areas. It is a good idea to have a cupboard for all pet supplies and a separate wash basin for their feeding and water bowls.

What about your space?

• Buy furniture that is covered in leather or stain resistant fabrics. They are easier to clean and are more resistant to wear.
• If you must have wall to wall carpeting, opt for a color similar to your pet’s coat.
• Hard flooring such as ceramic tiles, sealed hardwood or synthetic wood is best for heavier dogs. Lay out rugs on slippery floors for older animals.
• Keep your pet well-groomed and you will spend less time cleaning your home.
• Vacuum at least twice a week, but daily if your dog breed sheds a lot.
• If there is an accident, clean up immediately because most pet stains become more difficult to clean if left.
• Prevent ticks and fleas on your pets so that your home can also be pest free.