Whether you’re thinking of owning a pet for the first time in your Texas apartment or you’re a veteran in this area, safety should be a top priority for any species and size of pet you introduce into your life.
Safety measures won’t merely protect them. You’ll equally have peace of mind recognizing that you won’t have to think about unforeseen costs or trips to the vet. With the appropriate tools and some strategic thinking, it’s possible to generate a pet-safe space where your pet can thrive. Here’s a look at how to pet-proof your Texas apartment.
Consider Pet-friendly Furniture Pieces
As your pet settles into your Texas apartment, accidents are likely to arise. Rather than replace your furniture, which can be costly, you might want to integrate pre-emptive measures to prevent damages in your Texas apartment. Look into pet-friendly solutions such as washable rugs, which can withstand scratching or chewing.
It’s worth noting that microfiber and leather are pet-friendly fabrics worth considering. If your furniture doesn’t comprise these materials, consider couch protectors, slipcovers, and anti-scratch tape to deter destruction in your Texas apartment.
Transition your cat to a scratching spot
You can be frustrated whenever your cat scratches the furniture. Nonetheless, this natural behavior helps keep your cat’s nails healthy. Giving your cat access to a scratching post is the ideal way of ensuring furniture protection while preventing the development of bad habits in your Texas apartment.
If your pet has already developed a scratching habit, overcoming it can be difficult. In this case, you can position a substitute scratching area next to the furniture your pet scratches and cover it using double-sided tape, which is known to repel cats. Once your pet starts scratching the new post, you can give it a treat to reinforce that behavior. Once your pet gets accustomed to the scratching post, you can relocate it gradually.
Include Child Locks to Your Cabinets
Child locks are not only affordable but also easy to install, making them a renter-friendly option when it comes to pet-proofing your Texas apartment. You might think that you only need to include child locks to bottom cabinets. However, cats can access even the tallest cabinets.
On the other hand, dogs are likely to access the bottom cabinets for scavenging purposes. The last thing you want to find is your pets consuming items such as chocolate, coffee, or onions. After all, several human food items tend to have a toxic effect on pets. Instead of locking the kitchen entirely, you can begin with the most apparent cabinets, like beneath the sink or the pantry door.
Use Kennels and Gates When Necessary
While you wouldn’t want to keep your pet locked up constantly, you might want to keep your dog in a kennel when running an errand to prevent any issues. If you want to grant your dog more access to your Texas apartment, you can erect baby gates.
Before purchasing a gate, consider its height in comparison to the pet as well as the durability because some pets are prone to knocking down things and chewing stuff because of their bigger size.
Final Thoughts
Welcoming a pet into your Texas apartment can be a big source of joy. However, it demands considerable responsibility. Besides caring for and feeding your pet, you must adopt the necessary safety measures to protect your apartment against potential damage. If you don’t know where to start, these tips will come in handy.
For more information on pet-proofing your Texas apartment, contact us at Apartment Agents or leave a message.