Safe pet remodeling may not be something you think about before the start of a new remodeling project, but if your dog gets out or your cat runs away–it can add a whole lot of stress to the job.
“You’d be surprised at how a curious animal can squeeze through the tiniest gap in the floor or the wall,” explains Tanya Roberts, Behavior Manager at The Oregon Humane Society.
An animal’s natural curiosity can get them into trouble if you haven’t taken the steps to keep them safe during a remodeling project. Here are five tips to help keep your pets out of harm’s way.
5 Tips for Remodeling Your Home with Pets
- Plug any holes in the wall or floor. A curious animal can squeeze into a tiny space and quickly become scared or trapped.
- Make sure your pet has a current ID or a microchip, in case they do get out.
- Consider boarding your pet somewhere safe during a remodeling project.
- Create a pet-safe room. Put them in your bedroom with litter box and some new toys. It’s worth the additional cries or paws the door to ensure their safety.
- Make sure that any workers coming into your home are aware that you have pets.
Remember to make sure your pets have plenty of water, especially if you have dogs because when they are stressed, they tend to drink more water. With many remodeling jobs there can be more dust in the air, so it’s important to make sure the water bowl is full and continually fresh.
Click here to learn about more pet safety tips and pet remodeling ideas.
Randi Reed CMKBD/CAPS is a designer for the Neil Kelly Company. Email her at randi.reed@neilkelly.com.
