Creating a Pet-Friendly Home
With children, you have nine months to prepare for their entrance into the world and many more before they begin roaming around your home on their own. Pets do not come with the same grace period.
Whether a puppy, kitten, adult dog or cat, your new pet will immediately be interested in every crevice and container possible, and as a renter, you have an extra responsibility to thoroughly prepare your rental home or apartment, as any damage inflicted by your pet could affect both your stuff and your landlord’s. So, if you’re getting a pet – or just thinking about it – here is the Rentals.com guide to making sure the next mini member of your family remains the light of your life and not the loss of your security deposit.
Get on Your Paws
People often overlook potential pet hazards because we don’t see what they see. So before bringing your pet home, walk through your house with his or her perspective in mind. Are electrical cords dangling behind your entertainment center? Is your trash can out in the open? Do your electrical outlets have covers? Are any chemicals or cleaning products left out? Do the cords for you blinds hang too low? Are there any children’s toys or small objects on the ground or low shelves?
Bundle all cords and try to keep them behind cabinet doors. Gather all potentially harmful items, particularly chemicals, and put them on high surfaces. Keep your trash in a low cupboard or pantry. Cover all electrical outlets and vents. Also, put childproof latches on all lower cabinets. And if you find any small spaces in which your pet could get stuck, block or fill them.
Consider Your Pet’s Taste
Pets, particularly dogs, may beg to try all of your human delicacies, but anything outside their prescribed food can be dangerous and even fatal. So in addition to keeping trash – all candy and food wrappers included – locked behind closed doors, be sure to keep food and drinks off of low tables or surfaces accessible to your pet. Also, many household plants can be poisonous, including ivies, azaleas, holly berries, lilies, mistletoe and poinsettias, so move all of them out of your pet’s grasp to prevent any health (or filthy carpet) issues. Lastly, although they may smell better than cleaners, your perfumes, colognes, potpourris and air fresheners contain similarly hazardous chemicals, so be sure they are not left on counters where a jumping pet can reach them.
Protect Your Stuff
Some of the most common victims of pets are sofas, clothes and bedding. Consider covers for couches, chairs, beds and lounges and/or investing in heavy-duty fabrics. Repellents are also available to detract pets from these items. For a cat or kitten, you may want to purchase a scratching post to protect your furniture from claws. Keep drawers shut and closet doors closed to keep clothes and shoes clean and intact. Also, be mindful of the laundry room, as pets love to sneak in and curl up with clean and warm items. If you want to keep your pet in or out of a specific space, consider a safety gate, but keep in mind that many pets can jump over them or break them down.