Renting with pets? You probably can’t cut a dog-sized hole through your backdoor. Not without asking your landlord first or putting in your own backdoor as a temporary replacement. The answer? Pet-proof your home with these 8 simple tips.
1. Find the garbage bin of your dreams
Dogs, cats, and even ambitious budgerigars will make havoc of your rubbish if you don’t keep it locked down. For those who are renting with pets that have a high IQ, look at investing in a bin that has both a latch on the lid and a pedal at the bottom, which would require your dog to stand on its hind legs and grow opposable thumbs to open. If you can’t find one of these bins, look for stainless steel bins that your pet can’t get its grip on to topple over, place the bin in a corner so it can’t be pushed over, and lastly, place a bin inside a cupboard and put a child’s lock on the cupboard if things are looking serious.
2. Pet-proof your home with training
This is a clear no-brainer. With positive training habits, your pet won’t destroy your landlord’s curtains and you can develop a good relationship with them, which is key to renting further properties as a pet owner. Pet friendly apartments rely on well-trained pets as there is often little outside space for them. Regular walks (each morning and night) will save you from many headaches and keep your dog happy, too.
3. Make friends with storage
Owning a pet can be a great incentive to pet-proof your home by cleaning and keeping your belongings well hidden. Be sure to keep anything related to your pet, such as a dog’s lead and food, in one place, so that your pet identifies this drawer as one important to him, and the rest as unimportant.
4. Block off sections of your home
Using child-safe gates, which you can often find at opportunity stores, block off certain areas of your home that you don’t want your pet to access. This is important during those formative months of training.
5. Never leave appliances open
Always close your washing machine and dryer, as cats especially will seek out these warm and enclosed spaces in which to sleep and you don’t want to have any accidents as a result. This goes for toilet lids and areas that pets can access dangerous chemicals, such as shampoo or even chocolate.
6. Cover your cords
Nothing makes a dog happier than sitting down after a hard day and dining on some delicious electrical cords. They’re like spaghetti, only they take more commitment. For this reason, cover those cords up wherever you can. If you can’t cover them up or hide them, go to a hardware store and purchase some plastic tubing that you can cut open to fit around any loose electrical cords so that you have some warning if your dog does start to feel hungry.
7. Install a camera
Knowing the movements of your pet will give you a clearer idea of why they may be acting in the way they are and how you can address this. You’ll also finally have proof that your dog is a genius because there will be footage of them doing the crossword in the newspaper.
8. Create a space for your pet and its belongings
Avoid your cat scratching up your couch by giving them a scratch post. Designate a fixed area in the home for your pet’s bedding and make sure any meals or bones are always eaten outside.
With strong training in a pet’s early life as well as diligent care (grooming, walks, medical care, mental stimulation), renting with pets is easily achievable. Be sure to set up clear spaces when renting with pets so that your fluffball knows exactly where they can and can’t go.
