Well, you have done all your research and homework and made the commitment to adopting a pet into your home. Before you bring the new addition home, to be a good pet owner you will need to make your home pet friendly. Yes, there are certain preparations that you can make that will make your pet integrate better into your household. Some should be done before you bring your pet onto the premises and some will evolve as you get to know your pet.
If you have decided to bring a new puppy into your home, before he arrives prepare your house for his arrival. Here are a few tips to get your home pet-ready:
* Make sure that your yard is fenced properly and that the fence is in good repair so that he will not be able to get out. Fill in any holes in the fence and make sure there are no sharp edges on your fence that can hurt your puppy.
* Prepare a set place for your puppy to sleep. This could be a dog-basket in the corner of your bedroom, a kennel in the kitchen or a box with a soft blanket in the laundry room, wherever you decide is the best place for him to sleep on a regular basis. Your puppy will integrate better into your home if he has a constant established place of his own.
* Buy his food bowls and food prior to bringing home puppy so that it is ready for his arrival.
* Make sure all electrical cords are tucked away where the puppy cannot get at them. Puppies like to chew things and electrical wiring are definitely hazards.
* Examine which house plants you have that may be poisonous to your puppy. Here is a list of common household plants that may be poisonous if ingested by your pet:
Aloe barbadensis – Aloe Vera
Amaryllis sp. – Amaryllis
Anthurium andraeanum – Flamingo lily
Caladium hortulanum – Angels’ wings
Chrysanthemum indicum – Chrysanthemums
Clivia miniata – Kaffir Lily
Codiaeum variegatum – Croton
Cyclamen persicum – Cyclamen
Datura innoxia – Angel’s Trumpet
Dieffenbachia sp. – Dumb Cane
Euphorbia milii – Crown-of-thorns
Euphorbia pulcherrima – Poinsettia
Hedera helix – English Ivy
Hydrangea macrophylla – Hydrangea
Kalanchoe daigremontiana – Devil’s Backbone
Monstera deliciosa – Ceriman or Swiss-cheese plant
Philodendron sp. – Heart Leaf Philodendron or Philodendron
Rhododendron sp. – Azalea
Solanum pseudocapsicum – Jerusalem Cherry
If you do not wish to get rid of these plants entirely, at least put them up high where the puppy cannot reach them. As said, puppies love to chew and do not always care what they chew.
* Clear your garage or out buildings of any anti-freeze products. All dogs seem to like the taste of these products and they are definite pet-killers. Like-wise clear out rat-killing poisons or any other toxic products which you may think may be harmful.
* Provide baby gates for areas where your new puppy is not supposed to go or by basement stairs that puppy could fall down. Baby gates can also keep puppy within an appropriate area until he is house trained.
If you are bringing home a new kitten:
* Be sure to have kitty’s litter box ready.
* Examine the list of plants above and remove any ones that may be toxic or poisonous. Remember that your kitten will grow to a cat and that cats love to climb, so putting these plants in places that you think are out of reach may not be the most pet-friendly option—replace them with more pet-friendly plants.
* Have kitten appropriate food on hand, as well as kitty’s food and water bowls.
* Kitty will also be happier and adjust better if provided a set place of her own to sleep. Cats generally like snuggly enclosed spaces.
* As with puppy, secure electrical wiring as much as possible where kitty cannot get at them. An electrical wire can be a tempting toy to a new kitten.
* Kittens love to climb. Truss up curtains so that your new kitten will not be tempted to climb up them.
* Provide a scratching post early so that kitty can use it for her growing claws (and to save your furniture).
For your new pet bird:
* Select a bird cage of appropriate size for your bird and install his feeder and water supply
* Select a location for your bird’s cage, one that is well-lit and ventilated, but out of trashs.
* Supply your bird’s cage with toys to keep him busy and occupied
* Make sure you have a supply of bird feed on hand, as well as any fruits or vegetables that may be appropriate for him.
* If you own a cat, make sure the cage is out of your cat’s reach, or that the cat does not have access to this room.
For other pets:
* Select an appropriate location for their cages being careful that the areas have appropriate lighting, ventilation and are not in trashy areas. Remember that snakes like darker places to hide in and hamsters, being nocturnal, will appreciate duskier areas for their daytime sleeping. For hamsters, try to place them in areas where their night-time noisy activity will not bother members of the family.
* Make sure your have a supply of your pet’s food on hand before bringing them home.
* Make sure any pets already in your home that may have conflicts with the new addition will be unable to trouble them. For instance, your cat may trouble your new pet hamster or fish.
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