Happy and healthy home for our 2 & 4 legged friends
1. Brush pets regularly to remove hair before it has a chance to collect on the floor and trim nails often to avoid scratched floors and couches. Make sure to vacuum regularly to avoid pet hair buildup.
2. Bare floors are best because they are easy to clean and can be very durable. Pick a material that can withstand heavy pet nails such as stone tile, painted concrete, bamboo, or laminate flooring.
3. Avoid carpet if at all possible as it is not only difficult to keep clean, but also soaks up stains and traps pet hair and odors. If carpet is a must, pick with a low pile carpet and choose a color that matches your pet's fur.
4. Use washable fabrics on your bed and your pet's regular sleeping areas that can easily be removed for cleaning. Make sure to select a color and pattern that can hide pet hair and stains.
5. Create a pet room where you can keep all toys, leashes, and pet related stuff. A mudroom works well for this as it can also be an area where pets can be cleaned off, groomed, and fed.
6. Provide chew treats or interactive toys so dogs don't chew on your favorite furniture. Make sure to provide cat trees/shelves and scratching areas for cats so they do not scratch the furniture or walls.
7. Keep the toilet lids closed so that the dogs don't help themselves to a drink, and so the cats don't accidentally fall in, then run off shaking toilet water in every direction.
8. Safety is important with our pets. Make sure to keep electrical cords out of the way and secure window screens. It's also a good idea to keep breakables tucked away and keep all the trash cans covered.
9. Both cats and dogs love sitting at the window, so it's a great idea to keep pet accessible windows in mind while shopping for a home.
10. Cats in particular seem to like crawling into odd places. Before shutting doors to cupboards, closets, or refrigerators, always double check to make sure an inquisitive pet won’t be accidentally shut in.
11. Some houseplants can be toxic to pets. Make sure to check for hazards before bringing a new plant home. Common toxic houseplants include Lilies, Azaleas, Tulips, Poinsettia, English Ivy and many more.
12. Synthetic fragrances and chemicals can also be toxic to pets. However they are often found in common household cleaners, beauty products, and candles. Some essential oils can also be harmful, so if you like to diffuse oils, make sure to use only oils that are pet safe.
13. When searching for a new home, look for functional details like fully fenced yards, durable flooring, pet-accessible windows, and retractable pet gates. Make sure to ask about local dog parks, as well as pet-friendly trails, and businesses.
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