4-Legged Flatmates
We’re a nation of pet lovers here in Britain with more than half of households owning an animal. But when your flat or home has a furry friend you need to ensure your place is pet friendly and a happy place for them to live in. You might adopt a pet from your new flatmate or move in with someone who has one. So, whether it’s a cat, dog, rabbit or other inhabitants both big or small, here are some of our top tips on how to make sure your pets enjoy staying with you.
Childproof latches
A great way to prevent paws from getting into the kitchen or bathroom cupboards is to use childproof latches to ensure pets avoid accessing food and chemicals.
Store items high
If you’ve got a priceless vase or some delicate crockery, it’s best to make sure it’s out of the way of your pets, and ideally stored high in cupboards and shelves, as there will always be a cat or dog who thinks they’re good at jumping and will try to break them!
Cover the bins
As bins are normally filled with bits of old food, some of these might be harmful to your pet. Therefore, it’s advisable to make sure your bin has a top and is covered up, just in case your pet is feeling a bit inquisitive.
Close the toilet lid
Like with your bins, it’s essential to ensure your toilet is also closed just in case smaller animals try to climb into it and get trapped.
Avoid dangling wires
We all know cats love string, or dogs enjoy toys with dangly bits, so make sure all wires are hidden or secured against walls. Pets do love to chew these kind of things, so to avoid damage to both your appliances and your animals’ teeth, keep them out of prying paws.
Hide chewable items
Like with dangling wires, pets do love to chew small items or anything they find on the floor. As a result ensure things like children’s toys, newspapers, shoes, stationery and clothes are all back in their rightful place.
Dangerous house plants
House plants are a wonderful way to add a bit of nature into your homes, but some are dangerous for animals. Common houseplants that are actually dangerous for your animals to ingest are Lilies, Azaleas, Oleander, Tulips, Yew, Chrysanthemum and English Ivy. If you do have a pet and are looking for a house plant, do your research beforehand to avoid hazards to your beloved animals.
Hiding pet hair
If you want to make sure that no pet hair appears on your floors or furniture, try to use rugs, bedding, blankets, pillows and other décor pieces to prevent hair forming in your house or flat. If you have a dark coloured pet, use darker colours, and likewise if you have lighter coloured pets, use lighter colours.
Vacuum cleaning
Even with rugs or blankets, hair will still accumulate on the floor of your place, so vacuum cleaning once a week in all rooms is recommended to clean the room as well as the air.
Own space
We humans have our own rooms, so try to dedicate an area in your house or flat for your pet that’s their own. This could be a corner where their basket is or placing their mat in front of the sofa. No matter where it is, a pet always wants somewhere they can use all the time for their own space without being moved. There’s nothing worse than a sleeping cat being asked to move!
So with these tips your pet will have a happy stay in your house or flat!
