Your pets do so much for you. They’re constant companions that keep you active and never hesitate to show you love. The best way to repay your furry friends for all they do is to provide a dog-safe living space where they can move about without concern.
Doing so requires more than just ensuring that the door is closed and the house is in good repair.
You need to look around every inch of your space to eliminate all potential hazards.
Be aware of electrical issues
Many parents do everything they can to ensure their children stay away from electrical outlets, and you should do the same for your pet. A dog or cat can mess around with an outlet or cable and potentially get shocked, so do what you can to avoid that possibility.
One of the most important electrical safety tips you use as a pet owner is to check all outlets and switches regularly. If outlets become loose, pets can get to the wiring behind them.
If you see an outlet falling away from the wall or it’s hot to the touch, fix the issue or call a professional.
You should also make it a point to regularly check behind items and inspect the wiring of your plugged-in devices.
Your dog or cat may unwittingly have chewed on them and exposed the internal wiring. Exposed wires could shock and harm your pet.
Also, if you have lamps or nightlights in the room, ensure that there is a cover over the bulb and that it’s not exposed. Your dog could be attracted to the warm glow, touch it, and get burned.
Finally, secure all lamps so your pet doesn’t knock them down and accidentally start a fire.
If you have an office or an entertainment room with many plugs, cords, and devices, the best idea may be to keep the hazardous room blocked off entirely.
You can do so by installing or putting up a pet gate. When looking for potential gates, you’ll need to consider your pet’s size and ability. Don’t pick a gate your pet can easily jump over or knock down.
There are different types of gates. Some are screwed into the wall, and others are pressure-mounted pet gates that stay put without alterations to your walls.
If you allow the dog or cat into a dangerous room, don’t do so without your supervision.
Maintain clean air
Keeping the air clean in the home is just as important for your pet as it is for yourself. Your dog or cat can also be sensitive to fleas, dander, and other irritants.
If they are, they could experience a runny nose, skin irritation, and sneezing, among other ailments. Simple actions like vacuuming, changing air filters, cleaning ductwork when necessary, and grooming your pets can help.
The air can become especially toxic if smoke or carbon monoxide becomes present, so placing detectors around your home is essential. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on the ceiling in every room.
Carbon monoxide is an invisible gas, and you may not sense it in the area until it’s too late. Since this can be especially dangerous when sleeping, have the detector within three meters of your bedroom door and the room where your pet sleeps.
Whether you have battery-operated or hardwired detectors, test them monthly by reading the instructions on the alarm.
In addition to dusting and cleaning, another way to keep the air clean is with indoor plants. Some of the best air-purifying plants include bamboo palms, spider plants, and chrysanthemums.
However, do your research before putting new plants in the home, as many of them can be toxic to pets.
Plants harmful to dogs and cats include aloe, azalea, and buckeye, among others.
Restrict access to dangerous areas
Like plants, many commonly found items around the house can harm your pet, so you must be vigilant. Many of the harmful items are foods.
If ingested, raisins, avocados, tea leaves, and coffee can all negatively impact your dog’s health. You’re likely aware that common chemicals like bleach, drain cleaners, and mothballs can be poisonous, but that’s not it.
If your dog gets in a cabinet and eats vitamins, diet pills, fabric softeners, and aspirin, they could also have adverse reactions.
A good solution to prevent your pet from getting near dangerous substances is to put items in high cabinets. If you only have low cabinets, put safety locks on the doors like you would with children.
Many people have a storage closet where they keep the cleaners and chemicals. If you do, consider installing a round door handle that is harder for a dog to open than a flat handle.
Finally, don’t forget the potential dangers outside as well. Your pet should be secured in your yard so they can’t get out and get lost or hurt by predators.
Again, a fence is a perfect solution. Just like indoors, you’ll want a fence that will be strong enough to contain your dog, with standard options including chain-link, vinyl, and wood.
If you have an existing fence, ensure it’s intact without loose boards or holes underneath where your dog can dig and escape.
Final thoughts on creating a dog-safe living space
Creating a dog-safe living space is essential so your pet can live a long and happy life.
Constantly be aware of potential threats and resolve issues as you see them to ensure your pet is always secure wherever they roam.
Miles Oliver is a proud dog lover and an outdoor enthusiast. He often writes on his patio with a hot cup of tea and his 4-year-old border collie mix by his feet. When Miles is not working as a freelance writer, he is most likely mountain biking and roaming the great outdoors with his four-legged companion.