6 SIGNS YOUR HOME IS NOT READY FOR PETS

Fur babies are often cuter than human babies – you know it! However, not everybody’s living arrangement is ideal for pups or cats, writes Chris Carroll.

But before you consider bringing one home, you need to ensure your abode is prepped and ready for all of the good, bad and ugly they bring with them. Nobody said parenting was easy!

Your fencing has Milo and Otis written all over it

All pets seem to have an inbuilt desire to flee from the oppression of our love and adoration. To combat this, you need to inspect your fencing. Dogs love to find the smallest of gaps at the bottom of a fence to squeeze through, while cats will scale the top to embark on better adventures. Google is your friend here and has plenty of ideas to combat these issues.

Your rugs aren’t ready for the three Ps: pee, poop and puke

It’s a known fact (that I just made up) that cats prefer to puke up hairballs only on carpeted materials like your prized rug. And your dog; why would he want the plastic chew toys you got him when there’s a giant wool version lying across your living room floor? Rugs and pets often don’t mix; you can’t fight it! Start facing the reality that you need to become less precious about your decor now and things will only improve when your fur baby arrives.

Your plants and flowers are a death trap

Here’s a legit scary fact: certain plant and flower varieties can kill your pet if ingested. The remedy of course, is to get fake plants and flowers instead. I’m obsessed with them and you’ll never change my mind! If you can’t cope with the concept of plastic foliage in your humble abode, at least look up if the plants or flowers you’re bringing into the home are safe for your little ones.

You don’t have enough lint roller refills on standby

Dogs and cats lose more hair than you can ever imagine. And you know where it’s going to end up: all over your clothing, your sofa, your bedspread, in your coffee, on your toast of a morning (the list goes on). Lint rollers are your best friend here, along with a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner built for combating pet hair on carpet. Or you could get those hairless cats and dogs instead.

 Your odour-fighting game needs serious work

I’m a cat owner, so trust me when I say that there’s nothing worse than your home smelling like a ‘cat home’. The waft of litter, the scent of their wet and dry food: the struggle is real. You gotta up your fragrance game to combat this. Diffusers, candles, or even plug-in air fresheners are essential. Your nearest and dearest might not tell you the place reeks, so get on it early and avoid the awkwardness.

You don’t have zones marked out for pet paraphernalia

Pets need their own things. Cats need litters and scratch poles, dogs need their own dedicated beds, and both need feeding stations and toys to play with. You have to come to terms with these things taking up space in your home. And I know, a lot of them are ugly, but you have to embrace them and find a way to make them work. If you can’t, don’t get a pet – it’s simple!

Source: realestate.com.au 
https://www.realestate.com.au/lifestyle/6-signs-your-home-not-ready-for-pets/