Pets can improve the quality of life for any pet owner, and this makes it a good idea to make sure that they’re taken care of. One way to do this is to make the home safer for them with a number of home improvement projects. This can make having a pet a more fulfilling experience as there will be minimal issues if you do it right. Here are some of the home improvement tips that you can use as a pet owner to ensure that your pet is happy and your home is in the best state throughout.
Change Your HVAC Filter
The first thing that you need to do is to change your HVAC filter. This is something that should be done once every three months in general. For a home with pets, however, this duration has to be shorter. This is because of the fact that pets may shed fur and typically lead to the presence of more particles and allergens in the air throughout your home. You should shop around for HVAC filters that have a reliable lifespan so that you get the best outcome.
Alternatively, you can talk to the HVAC contractors in your area to find out if there’s a reusable filter that will work well. Let your HVAC contractors know your reasons so that they can advise you accordingly. Since HVAC services typically have a lot of experience with HVAC installations and HVAC repair services, they’re the best people to talk to when you need to get the right filter for your unit. This is the best way to ensure that you enjoy clean and fresh air in your home with your pet.
Fence Off Your HVAC Unit
Another important home improvement project for you to do is to fence your HVAC unit off. Pets are typically curious and playful, and they won’t know what’s off-limits. This is the reason why you need to make sure that there’s no chance that your new pet will end up damaging any part of your HVAC. HVAC contractors can help you figure out the best way to fence off your unit. Just let them know the specific pet that you have so that they can help you figure out the best solution.
Apart from HVAC companies, you can also shop around in home improvement stores to check for a solution. For the best outcome, you can have a look at what’s available online so that you have a good idea of what to get. Take your time to make sure that you find a solution that can withstand your pet’s energy and that you won’t have to replace in a short time. It’s also a good idea to look for a fence that will suit the theme of your home and that won’t stand out for the wrong reasons.
Clean Your Air Ducts
Next, you must ensure that your air ducts are clean when you get a pet. As mentioned, pets can lead to a higher number of particles, fur, and other allergens in your home. This is the reason why you need to start on a clean slate by getting air conditioning services for your air ducts. Check online to see if there are other ways in which you can improve your indoor air quality besides cleaning the air ducts.
If you need to have any air conditioner repairs done, contact your local HVAC repair services to see if they can come to your home and have a look at the entire system. They should also advise you on the necessary steps to take and how often you need to do repairs and such. With proper maintenance, you can be sure you won’t experience any issues with your indoor air quality after you add a pet to your home.
Fence-In Your Yard
Remember that your pet will be healthier and happier if they can run around your yard freely. While you want to let them enjoy this freedom, it’s also important to keep them safe. You can do this by fencing your yard so that your pet won’t wander into the street if you let them out by themselves. This is a much better solution than having to secure them in your home on a leash. Check online to find out the various options of fences that you can use.
You can also talk to a local fence installation company and seek their professional advice. Talk to them about wood fences, vinyl fences, and other types of fences. Depending on the pet breed that you have in terms of things such as size and agility, various fences will be better than others. This is the main reason why you have to make sure that you talk to a professional and install the right fence. It should be the right material, and also be sturdy and durable. Find out the maintenance that the fence you get requires so that you can keep it in great shape and keep your home in great shape for a long time to come.
Plant Pet-Safe Flowers
It’s important to know that it’s important for you to make sure that if you have flowers, they’re safe for your pet. This is because some flowers may be poisonous to pets, and you can’t really keep your pets away from them effectively. Although you can fence the flowers in, this may defeat the purpose of having flowers in the first place as they’re best displayed for all to see.
That said, talk to the landscaping services that you hire about what you need. Let them know that you want plants that are going to be safe for your pets, and that will also withstand rough play. You could set them in an elevated area such as a plant box so that they’re out of reach of your pets. Doing this may not make it okay to have plants that could be toxic to your pets, since parts of them may fall and become easily accessible to your pets. The best solution is to do research on the best plants and flowers and decorate your landscape with those.
Install Carpet Floors
Your home’s floors are also not going to be immune to playful pets. This is the reason why you need to make sure that the flooring you have in your home is safe and easy to maintain with pets. While hardwood floors may look and feel amazing, they’re quite easy to get scratches and other forms of damage from pet’s claws. As such, it may be expensive and tedious to maintain such floors, although you could invest in area rugs to make sure that you keep your home’s floors in great shape throughout.
An even better solution, if you can spare the budget and have the time, is to invest in carpet. A carpeted floor is amazing at hiding scratches and may be easy to clean as well. This is because you can look for professional carpet and rug cleaning in order to make sure that your carpets don’t develop stubborn stains and smells. There are various solutions that you can leverage to ensure that your home’s carpet stays free of odors and similar issues.
Construct Ramps
Depending on the size and age of the pet you get, you may want to make your home more accessible for them. This calls for a number of minor adjustments, one of which is installing ramps where there are stairs. This is the best way to make sure that your beloved pet can move freely around the house and explore to their heart’s content with no risk of injury. If your pet is simply young but is going to grow bigger over time, you could get a temporary solution in place such as movable ramps. A few instructions online can help you figure out how to DIY them and save yourself valuable time and money.
In place of ramps, and depending on the specific areas you have steps in your home, you could even use a simple plank of wood. As long as it’s stable and doesn’t have rough edges or nails and other hazards, this is a practical solution to use. Yet another option that you could use is to stack some crates or sturdy boxes of some kind that provide a gentler and easier way for your pet to access the areas you want to allow them access.
Isolate a Pet-Toy Area
A happy pet is one that has some toys to play with. This calls for you to also have an area where you can store your pet’s toys while they’re not in use. While you can simply toss them into a corner, it’s best for you to come up with a more permanent and aesthetic solution. This may be a decorated box or fence behind which the toys stay while they’re not in use.
With time, your pet may learn how to find and store their pets themselves. As a result, you can be sure that your home will look a lot better and be easier for you to keep organized. Simple storage containers can be quite handy and functional for this purpose because the solution doesn’t have to be something elaborate and expensive.
Create a Sleeping Area
Don’t forget that your pet needs a designated spot to rest. Look for a safe and comfortable area in which you can set up a sleeping area for your pet. This will come in handy for times when your pet wants to take a break, or even when the weather is not conducive for running around outdoors. In this case, it’s best to have an area that can fit a sleeping mat or bed for your pet and have some room around it as well. In fact, you can set this area up right next to the spot you want to keep your pet’s toys.
You may want to keep this place in a sheltered spot in the house. When you do this, it will be a great place for your pet to take a break whenever there are guests in the house or there’s something like a project taking place. Choose the right bedding and make sure that you have extras to change when you need to clean them. This will keep the house, and not just the pet’s sleeping area, clean and fresh throughout.
Get the Right Furniture
Last but not least, it’s a good idea for you to get the right furniture. This is usually something that you need to do as a minor home project anyway, so take into consideration the fact that you have a pet in the home. Look into durable pieces that are well-made and that can withstand the rough play of a pet. The size, type, and material will have a role to play in ensuring that the furniture you get is ideal for a space with pets in it. This furniture should also be easy to clean in case of incidents so that you don’t have a hard time in case they get dirty from your pet.
You could also invest in throws and pillows to place on the furniture if you don’t want to keep your pets off the furniture. This way, you only have to think about cleaning the movable pieces rather than cleaning the entire piece. Go for colors and designs that complement the rest of your home’s theme and decor. This way, you don’t have to compromise on your personal preferences in terms of style. You could even upcycle old blankets or other items of clothing that you have no use for. As long as you can make it look decent, you’ll have saved money and made your seats more pet-friendly.
If you want to make the most out of getting a pet, you need to make sure that you make your home as welcoming and accommodating for them as possible. This will save you a lot of hassle, especially if you make the preparations before your pet actually comes home. This way, you can have a fulfilling time and enjoy the new addition to your family, which is what you want after all.