There’s no better way of welcoming a new chapter in your life than by adding a new furry member to the family because a pet can teach you so much about the beauty in life, from companionship to love and everything else in between. In fact, you might even forget just how these past few months have been nothing but struggle because their furry paws will be all over you and keep you busy for at least the first few months or so.
However, we want to remind every soon-to-become fur parent that it takes more than just being responsible and willing to care for a pet, but your home will also need a bit of readjusting to make the place a safe and fun environment. And so, today, we’ve listed down the three most common problem areas, namely, the kitchen, living room, and bedroom, and just how you can organize and pet-proof them to your needs.
#1 The Kitchen Might See A Lot Of Action
Much like any other living creature on this planet, your furry friend will love food just as much as you do and, therefore, the kitchen will undoubtedly see a lot of action, especially if you’re planning to get a cat that loves to jump everywhere or a very active doggo. As a result, you will want to prepare the space accordingly to reduce the risks of them harming themselves or accidentally ruin previous preparations for dinner.
- Put Food And Sharp Objects Far From Prying Paws: Excitement gets the best of our pets, and one wrong move could have plates come crashing down to the floor or, much worse, a knife ending up somewhere it shouldn’t be. So, we strongly recommend that you always put food and sharp objects far from prying paws by making sure you have enough cabinet and pantry space and installing new ones if it turns out you need them.
- Install A Pet Safety Gate To Keep Them Out: Of course, prevention is always better than cure, and to prevent any of the abovementioned mishaps from happening, installing a pet safety gate is the perfect deterrent. And while cats will most likely learn to jump up and get through, a dog will definitely have some second thoughts before giving it a go.
#2 Your Little Guy Will Frequent The Living Room 24/7
We all love spending most of our free time in the living room, and your new furry friend will also mimic this behavior soon enough, meaning that the living room is a red-hot zone that should be prepared with the most caution. Sure, it might not host as many sharp objects or apparent risks, but the amount of time they spend there translates into being the room most exposed to sudden bursts of “energy” and “playtime.”
- Tuck Away Electrical Wires And Cords: Dogs and cats will bite and play with anything they find the least bit interesting, especially if their much younger and each day is a brand new discovery. As a result, the electrical wires and cords that are exposed in the living room will pose a problem that could turn dire if left unattended, so tuck them away where they won’t be easily meddled with and played around.
- A Carpet Flooring Would Lead To Disasters: Although carpet floorings are cozy and comfortable, they’re also the most easily stained and difficult to clean if your furry friend is still learning the ropes on where they should go for a number two. And because of this issue, we strongly recommend looking for new flooring solutions such as ceramic tile or natural cork, which are both a million times easier to clean up after.
#3 Expect You’ll Be Sharing Your Bedroom Space
While most people consider the bedroom to be a place for rest, relaxation, and the occasional intimacy with your romantic partner, expect that your new pet will also become your new roommate. It’s easy to get attached to them, and it’s no surprise if they want to cuddle up with you on some nights, but the bedroom isn’t also the safest of places.
- Keep Any Medication Out Of Their Reach: It’s pretty common to keep any medication right beside you on the nightstand, but since most are low-bearing and easy to reach, your furry friend might end up ingesting something they shouldn’t. So, to prevent that issue from happening, we recommend that you either get a much taller nightstand in its place or get new bathroom cabinets and keep anything of importance there.
- Your Comforter And The Pet’s Fur Won’t Agree Too Well: Everybody needs their comforter for a good night’s sleep, but when your dog or cat decides to snuggle up with you, then you will end up with a big laundry problem. We recommend purchasing a hand vacuum to make cleaning easier and switching to bedding fabrics that use tightly woven material like microfiber and silk.
Welcoming Your New Furry Friend With Open Arms And A Well-Equipped Home
Overall, welcoming a new furry friend needs a bit more preparation on your part to make sure the home is ready for their arrival. So, take the above-mentioned advice to heart, and get started ASAP, and have your new pet move in before summer ends.