A woof and a meow: pet-proof your apartment

August 30, 2017 03:55 pm | Updated 03:55 pm IST

A scene at "Pet Adoptathon 2006", a pet adoption programme organised by the Karuna Animal Welfare Association of Karnataka in association with the North Shore Animal League, U.S., on account of the Animal Welfare fortnight at the Karuna Animal Shelter, Veterinary College campus, Hebbal in Bangalore on May 6, 2006.
Photo: K. Gopinathan

A scene at "Pet Adoptathon 2006", a pet adoption programme organised by the Karuna Animal Welfare Association of Karnataka in association with the North Shore Animal League, U.S., on account of the Animal Welfare fortnight at the Karuna Animal Shelter, Veterinary College campus, Hebbal in Bangalore on May 6, 2006. Photo: K. Gopinathan

It's hard to exaggerate the joy and comfort a pet could add to your life. And, welcoming your furry new room mate could be an exciting adventure.

Whether it's a kitty, rabbit, dog or even a bird, you'll always want to ensure your pet’s safety and happiness.

Along with that, you also have to keep an eye on your newly adopted pet to make sure he isn't playfully chewing or scratching on the fabric of your sofa. Or perhaps running into sharp corners or edges where he could hurt himself.

Today there's plenty you can do to pet-proof your home. Here's how to get your home pet-ready.

1. Dispose off all eatables and left-overs safely

Dogs tend to be incredibly curious about food and are terribly great at finding them.

Don't think that the height of your dining table will discourage your pets from getting to it.

As a rule of thumb, never keep food lying outside after you've finished eating your meals. On a related note, always position your trash so that your pet doesn't have access to it.

Leaving eatables outside could lead to one of these two undesirable circumstances.

a. Food scattered all over your apartment

b. A sick pet, who would require veterinary care which could eventually cost you a fortune

Both of these problems are tedious to deal with. So, make sure to dispose of all chocolates, fast-food wrappers, and pizza crusts safely.

2. Keep clutter in check

Piles of clothes lying on the bed, iPods and magazines left on low-tables, charging cords, and shoes abandoned... does that sound anything like you?

If so, here's a word of advice.

Pets, especially dogs, love chewing on and knocking things off their spots. This means they could not only damage your stuff but also potentially mess up your apartment even further.

Remember: Don't offer pets the opportunity to dislodge your items or chew on them. Organise your clutter and put it away safely as soon as you see it.

3. Try velvet fabric for furniture upholstery

If you are a cat owner, you already know the degree to which your feline enjoys scratching surfaces. Obviously, he can't get enough of it! And no, you can't prevent him from scratching up your furniture.

With a kitty for a companion, maintaining your furniture could soon become a puzzling challenge. But there is a way out. 

You could consider using velvet fabric for your furniture upholstery.

Yes! Unlike regular upholstery, velvet is cut just like hair at its ends. And this gives your cat, minimal surface to hook on with his claws to pull. Since velvet isn't conducive to scratching, this is an excellent way to protect your furniture from frequent damage.

4.Plant proof your home

If you keep plants indoors or in your balcony where your pet can easily reach, you could unknowingly be endangering the health of your furry companion.

Many plants are dangerous to the well-being of your pets. Also, dogs and cats tend to dig into mud and chew up on the leaves. This could be harmful to them, causing diarrhoea or vomiting.

To prevent such accidental occurrences, grid your plants and move them to higher surfaces (where they won't easily fall from). Or perhaps, transfer them to the garden outside before your pet arrives home.

5. Other safety measures

Here are a few things you could keep in mind to ensure your bedroom and everywhere else stays safe -

a. Keep earrings, rings or jewellery out of reach.

b. Do not forget to put away hair clips, pins & other items back in their respective closets.

c. Keep any sharp objects away.

The general principle here is to make sure all sharp and shiny objects are kept away from the sight of your pet as you don't want to pique her curiosity.

From changing the upholstery to de-cluttering your apartment, there’s something out there for every pet owner.

While it's important to stay vigilant with your new companion, you'll be happy to know that he will eventually learn about your likings and dislikings as he grows through his developmental phases.

Soon, you'll not have to watch over every little thing he does. But, until then, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

 

This article is contributed by RoofandFloor , part of KSL Digital Ventures Pvt. Ltd., from The Hindu Group

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