Creating a Pet-Friendly Home
Safety Essentials for a Secure Environment
Getting a pet can be an exciting and fulfilling experience, but it's important to remember that it's also a big responsibility.
One of the most important aspects of pet ownership is ensuring their safety. When you bring a pet into your home, you're committing to keeping them safe and healthy throughout their life. This means taking steps such as securing your home to prevent accidents, providing them with proper nutrition, and taking them for regular check-ups with a veterinarian.
By making a commitment to your pet's safety, you'll not only be providing them with a happy and healthy life, but you'll also be creating a stronger bond between you and your furry friend.
Since safety is our specialty at Pangel™, we have some suggestions for you!
Creating Comfort
The first step to promoting safety in your household is creating a sense of comfort for your animals.
When pets are uncomfortable, they can become stressed, anxious, and agitated. This can lead to behavioral issues and even health problems. Another potential issue when a pet is uncomfortable in its surroundings is that it may be more likely to try to escape or run away, putting it in danger.
Establishing a comfortable environment starts with your pet's space. Provide your pet with a designated spot that they can call their own. This could be a cozy bed, a crate, or a room that they can retreat to when they need some alone time.
You can also invest in pet-friendly furniture and accessories, such as scratch pads and toys, to keep your pet entertained and engaged.
Finally, ensure that your pet has access to fresh water and healthy foods appropriate for their diet. Not only do hydration and nutrition promote overall well-being, but they also add to their comfort.
Eliminate Potential Pet Hazards
When it comes to potential hazards for pets in a home, there are several things you need to be aware of. Many items that are harmless to humans pose a threat to pets. As the owner, it's your responsibility to keep them out of harm's way.
One of the most common hazards is toxic plants. Some plants like lilies, aloe vera, and snake plants can be poisonous to pets if ingested. Symptoms ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to organ failure and even death could result from your pet eating a poisonous plant.
It's always a good idea to research any existing plants in your home as well as before you buy any new plants.
It's also important to keep sharp objects and electrical cords out of reach, as pets may injure themselves by chewing on them or getting tangled up. Try using cord covers or cable organizers to neatly bundle and hide cords along walls or furniture. Another option is to use tape or clips to secure cords to the underside of furniture or along baseboards. You can also try to create a physical barrier around cords by placing them inside PVC piping or cardboard tubes.
Open windows and balconies can also pose a risk, especially for cats, who may be tempted to jump out. Make sure to install screens or keep windows and doors closed to prevent your pets from escaping or from an unfortunate fall.
Your pets may also be attracted to household items like small toys, rubber bands, and other smaller objects that they can easily swallow. Swallowing these items can lead to choking or intestinal blockages, which can be life-threatening. Ensure that you keep such items out of reach.
Finally, don't forget that it's crucial to keep cleaning products and other chemicals out of reach of your pets. Certain substances like bleach, ammonia, and disinfectants can be toxic if ingested or inhaled. Ensure cleaning supplies or other toxic materials are locked away securely.
By being aware of these hazards and taking steps to pet-proof your home, you can help ensure the safety and well-being of your furry friends!
Other Items That Improve Pet Safety
There are several products available on the market to help you pet-proof your home.
Some of these include:
1. Pet gates and barriers
2. Door and window screens
3. Furniture covers
4. Automatic feeders and waterers
5. Pet-proof trash cans
6. Pet cameras
Cat-Proofing Tips
According to the Humane Society, scratching is a normal, instinctive cat behavior. Cats have a need to scratch. (1)
They do it to:
express emotions
to mark objects with their scent using the scent glands in their paws
remove the dead part of their nails
to stretch
Keep your kitty (and your furniture) extra safe and happy by investing in a scratching post.
Dog-Proofing Tips
One danger specific to dogs is their inclination to chew on objects, which can lead to choking or gastrointestinal blockages.
Along with our previous suggestion to keep small toys and ingestible objects out of reach, the ASPCA gives dog owners this advice, "Provide your dog with plenty of his own toys and inedible chew bones. Pay attention to the types of toys that keep him chewing for long periods of time and continue to offer those. It's ideal to introduce something new or rotate your dog's chew toys every couple of days so that he doesn't get bored with the same old toys." (2)
Don't expose your doggo to danger; provide them with plenty of appropriate chew toys.
More Steps Toward Pet Safety
Sometimes, providing the best protection for your pet extends outside the home. From playing in your yard to playdates, other areas are integral to your pet's safety.
Here are a few additional measures you can take for a comprehensive approach to pet safety:
Keep them up to date on their vaccinations and regular check-ups with the vet. No matter how safe your space is, if your pet becomes ill, you'll have a different issue on your hands. Be proactive about protecting them with regular vet visits.
Keep them on a leash or in a securely fenced yard when outside. A pet escaping from a poorly secured area or wandering off property are two of the most common reasons pets are lost. (3)
Make sure they have proper identification, such as a collar with ID tags or a microchip. If they do happen to leave the premises, identification is a
Supervise them around small children and other pets. Playdates can be excellent social opportunities, but stay vigilant when they're making new friends.
Make use of a pet safety app like Pangel™. If you've ever worried about what would happen to your pets if an emergency situation arrived while you were out, then this app is for you! Guarantee your pet always has a guardian and keep pet care at your fingertips.
Make Pet Safety Your Priority
At Pangel™, our ultimate goal is pet safety. We're passionate about keeping our precious pets protected and offering viable pet safety tips to all owners. Thank you for your commitment to keeping your pets safe!
We're also in the business of doing all we can to improve the lives of pets and their owners alike by making pet care comprehensive and accessible. With the Pangel™ app for pets, you get the perfect combination of safety and care; it's truly a tool for all pet owners who want the most innovative option in pet protection.
Try our app now for a 14-day trial. We know you'll feel comfortable with it as another layer of protection for your pet; make Pangel™ part of your pet-friendly home.
"How to stop destructive cat scratching." The Humane Society of the United States, www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-stop-cats-destructive-scratching.
"Destructive Chewing." ASPCA, www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/destructive-chewing.
"The Top 3 Reasons a Pet Gets Lost." PetHub, www.pethub.com/articles/2925829/the-top-3-reasons-a-pet-gets-lost.
