7 Essential Tips to Pet-Proof Your Apartment
In terms of major life events, few things are more exciting than the day you adopt a furry friend of your own. But as with any big change, it’s wise to get prepped in advance.
To help both you—and your apartment—prepare, we’ve pulled together seven of our top tips for making the transition to pet ownership.
1. SAY NO TO STAINS: The only downside of getting a new puppy or kitten? Housetraining may not come naturally at first. Luckily, there are several ways to keep your apartment looking and smelling fresh, even when the going gets ruff (sorry). If you have a friendly relationship with your landlord, it may be worth asking to install stain-resistant carpets (or other pet-friendly flooring). Otherwise, Nature's Miracle cleaning supplies are tailor-made to combat pet stains and odors, and are set to be your new lifesaver.
2. PROTECT YOUR FURNITURE: Having a stylish pad that you're proud of and living with a furry friend aren't necessarily mutually exclusive. If your new pup can't get enough of chomping your couch, a non-toxic, bitter-tasting spray (like Top Paw's Bitter No Chew) will help them learn that soft furnishings aren't for snacking. As for cats, a catnip scratching post is more fun to sink their claws into than your ottoman, so consider it a worthy investment. Go a step further and pick up pillows and throws that match your pet's fur to help camouflage their shedding.
3. SWAP OUT YOUR HOUSEPLANTS: Monsteras (aka Swiss cheese plants) may be every hip urbanite's houseplant of choice these days, but unfortunately, the same isn't true for your pets. As with many other common houseplants, from aloe to lilies, these guys are straight-up toxic for animals. Before inviting a new pet into your home, browse the ASPCA's list of toxic and non-toxic plants, and re-home any offending plants with friends or neighbors.
4. BABY PET-PROOF YOUR HOME: It may sound strange, but getting your apartment ready for a new dog or cat is a lot like baby-proofing. Many of the same pointers apply: You'll want to cover electrical outlets, ensure wires are tucked away, hide any small items that could be swallowed, install door latches on your cupboards, and invest in a trash can that can't be easily opened or toppled over, among other adjustments. Safety gates, too, are a good way to keep your pets from going hog-wild in the laundry room or wreaking havoc in your home office.
5. HIDE THE SNACKS: Snacks: universally popular among both humans and their four-legged friends. Once you've got a new pet around the house, you're gonna have to take some steps to get your food out of easy sampling range. Pet-proof by moving fruit and other perishables to your fridge, keeping cereal boxes up in the cupboards, and by never, ever forgetting a sandwich on the counter (even for a minute). Trust us on that one.
6. KEEP FLOORS CLEAR: Spoiling your new pet with toys and treats is a good thing—but if you don't want your floor space to be cluttered in half-chewed plush toys, then it's worth creating a space where your dog or cat's items can live. Ikea's got a great selection of affordable and good-looking storage boxes, which can slide under your coffee table or find a home in your TV stand.
7. CREATE YOUR PET'S SPACE: Remember that inviting a pet into your home is about creating a happy home for them, too. Before you adopt that adorable doggo, make sure that the breed's size and temperament are appropriate for smaller, urban spaces. It's also essential to carve out a space in your pad that your pet can call their own. Whether it's a blanket-lined crate, a pet bed shaped like a shark (why not?), or another cozy nook, making your pet feel at home is priority numero uno.
1. SAY NO TO STAINS: The only downside of getting a new puppy or kitten? Housetraining may not come naturally at first. Luckily, there are several ways to keep your apartment looking and smelling fresh, even when the going gets ruff (sorry). If you have a friendly relationship with your landlord, it may be worth asking to install stain-resistant carpets (or other pet-friendly flooring). Otherwise, Nature's Miracle cleaning supplies are tailor-made to combat pet stains and odors, and are set to be your new lifesaver.
2. PROTECT YOUR FURNITURE: Having a stylish pad that you're proud of and living with a furry friend aren't necessarily mutually exclusive. If your new pup can't get enough of chomping your couch, a non-toxic, bitter-tasting spray (like Top Paw's Bitter No Chew) will help them learn that soft furnishings aren't for snacking. As for cats, a catnip scratching post is more fun to sink their claws into than your ottoman, so consider it a worthy investment. Go a step further and pick up pillows and throws that match your pet's fur to help camouflage their shedding.
3. SWAP OUT YOUR HOUSEPLANTS: Monsteras (aka Swiss cheese plants) may be every hip urbanite's houseplant of choice these days, but unfortunately, the same isn't true for your pets. As with many other common houseplants, from aloe to lilies, these guys are straight-up toxic for animals. Before inviting a new pet into your home, browse the ASPCA's list of toxic and non-toxic plants, and re-home any offending plants with friends or neighbors.
4. BABY PET-PROOF YOUR HOME: It may sound strange, but getting your apartment ready for a new dog or cat is a lot like baby-proofing. Many of the same pointers apply: You'll want to cover electrical outlets, ensure wires are tucked away, hide any small items that could be swallowed, install door latches on your cupboards, and invest in a trash can that can't be easily opened or toppled over, among other adjustments. Safety gates, too, are a good way to keep your pets from going hog-wild in the laundry room or wreaking havoc in your home office.
5. HIDE THE SNACKS: Snacks: universally popular among both humans and their four-legged friends. Once you've got a new pet around the house, you're gonna have to take some steps to get your food out of easy sampling range. Pet-proof by moving fruit and other perishables to your fridge, keeping cereal boxes up in the cupboards, and by never, ever forgetting a sandwich on the counter (even for a minute). Trust us on that one.
6. KEEP FLOORS CLEAR: Spoiling your new pet with toys and treats is a good thing—but if you don't want your floor space to be cluttered in half-chewed plush toys, then it's worth creating a space where your dog or cat's items can live. Ikea's got a great selection of affordable and good-looking storage boxes, which can slide under your coffee table or find a home in your TV stand.
7. CREATE YOUR PET'S SPACE: Remember that inviting a pet into your home is about creating a happy home for them, too. Before you adopt that adorable doggo, make sure that the breed's size and temperament are appropriate for smaller, urban spaces. It's also essential to carve out a space in your pad that your pet can call their own. Whether it's a blanket-lined crate, a pet bed shaped like a shark (why not?), or another cozy nook, making your pet feel at home is priority numero uno.
