Owning a pet can be one of the most rewarding experiences until they scratch your sofa to oblivion, get found where they’re not supposed to be and unwittingly put themselves or your possessions in danger. 

Whether you’re moving house or have just welcomed a fur baby into the family fold, here are some easy and effective ways to pet-proof your home to make sure your pet is safe and stimulated at the same time. 

Secure the windows and doors

It’s relatively easy to install baby gates to limit your dog roaming everywhere in the house, but it’s a bit trickier with cats. Due to their autonomous nature, wandering tendencies and ability to jump incredibly high, it’s important to secure any doors to keep your cat from going where you don’t want them to go. 

Think about installing cabinet locks to keep your kitty from rummaging in them when they spring onto the counter, adding a safety feature to the lid of the toilet and making sure the balcony is as safe as possible. 

And whilst you’re cordoning off sections of the house, make sure your pets feel really at home in the places they are allowed in. Dedicate an area of the house for them – this would be particularly useful if your pet requires larger necessities such as a large dog bed or a cat litter.

Keep hazardous items out of reach

When it comes to food and plants, it’s good to do your research beforehand. Investigate which human foods are toxic for your dog or cat before taking care of any plants around the house which can be poisonous. 

Cover electrical devices

We all have nightmares about our canine friends chewing through the electrics. Keep your pet and your possessions safe by tucking any loose cables away and covering plug sockets with installable flaps. 

Other portable devices like laptops, speakers and tablets should be stored safely too to avoid any prying paws. 

Keep them engaged

Damaging household items is often a sign that your pet is bored. Make sure they’re stimulated throughout the day – even when you’re not there – with interactive toys, food puzzles and chew toys. 

If you have a cat, make sure you have some litter trays, scratch posts and cat trees. Provide them with plenty of opportunities to climb up high and hide if they want to. As for dogs, squeaky toys and things that they can chew for hours on end are a must.

Pets are cute but they’re also hard work, and you have a responsibility to keep them engaged. So, before you move house or welcome a new pet, make sure you have everything they need to ensure a great new start!