Pets can comfort us when we’re upset or sick and make us laugh. Having one can add so much joy into your life with almost no effort at all. But did you know that having furry friends can make you healthy too? Dogs, for instance, require daily walks to stay healthy and happy, which helps you keep fit too.
Some popular benefits of having pets include reduced stress levels, improved immune system, consistent daily and weekly routines, and other lifestyle changes. One popular pet choice for many homeowners these days is puppies or dogs. They make great friends who can teach you responsibility and healthy habits. But before you get excited about bringing one at home, you need to puppy-proof your space first. Learn how in this guide.
1. Invest in pet gates and barriers
Having doggy disasters is the last thing you want to happen in your home. Install pet gates to block off access to rooms. Most of them come in decorative styles, so you won’t have to worry about ruining your interior design. These pet barriers are effective for protecting your fully carpeted floors or expensive furniture pieces from damage. Pet gates don’t have to be permanent, as you can start putting them down once your puppy is over its chewing phase. You can find ready-made pet barriers in stores or opt for customized ones to match particular paneling or wood railings in the room.
2. Keep the food out of reach
Whether it’s your dog’s food or yours, you need to keep it out of your puppy’s reach. Store it safely to avoid your puppy from overeating or messing with your kitchen supplies. There might be some human foods that you can share, but it’s best to be careful. The stomachs of puppies are sensitive. Take it one at a time when introducing foods such as pumpkin, blueberries, spinach, or fruit. At the same time, avoid feeding them toxic foods such as raisins, grapes, and onions. Properly storing food out of your furry friend’s reach can prevent an expensive emergency vet visit or digestive distress.
3. Check on your houseplants
Next, you might need to check the plants you have inside and outside your home. Among the top toxic plants to puppies include caladiums, ivy, sago palms, and lilies. Your puppy can experience a mild stomach upset when they ingest some of these plants. If you have multiple plants in the home and want to be safe, keep everything out of reach. This prevents your little friend from chewing them off. Surely, you don’t want your plants getting destroyed, do you? If you have a garden, be careful in using insect poisons, insecticides, and fertilizers, as they can be deadly to your furry friends. You can talk to your vet to know the specific plants or fertilizers that could be poisonous to your little friend.
4. Don’t forget the pest control
Pest control is not only a way to protect your new pet from diseases but also keep your home healthy for you and your family too. For instance, opting for routine tick treatment at home can reduce your pet’s risk of getting tick-borne diseases. Ticks can transmit all kinds of diseases to both humans and animals, from Lyme disease, babesiosis, and tularemia. Overall, pest control services can make your home healthier. You can avoid termite damage, protect your belongings, and minimize germs from entering your home. Also, did you know that rodents can chew on your wires and cause house fires? Prevent that expensive accident from happening by scheduling regular pest control.
5. Eliminate electrical hazards
As you might have already known, puppies love to chew on things. They act as predators that would think your cords and wires are snakes they need to take on. With that in mind, hide all your computer and electrical cords, so your furry friend can’t access them. You can get mounting hardware, cable covers, or cable ties to fasten the wires on the furniture or walls securely. You can find all these available at many home design and home improvement stores. Keep your puppies safe and sound by keeping those wires out of sight. They will chew on anything they see when they start teething, so be aware of that too.
Living with a puppy can surely make your everyday life much brighter and healthier. However, being a responsible dog owner also comes with responsibilities. Keep your furry friend safe and happy in your home is a top priority. Start by puppy-proofing your living space now.
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