Whether you own or lease your property, taking steps to help protect your home from damage caused by your beloved furry family members is worth your while. With pet ownership comes some challenges that can potentially damage the home and your property. Although some issues cannot be eliminated, here are some things you can do to protect your property from future damage which will maintain the value of your property and help to prevent costly repairs in the future.
- Protect your floors.
Even the most well-trained pets can have the occasional accident, but the floor is never a good place for pets to relieve themselves. Whether you have hardwood, tile, or carpet messes left untreated can leave lasting damage. Try your best to minimize any damage by investing in a quality carpet and upholstery cleaner that eliminates odor and uses enzymes to erase all traces of the accident. This can help prevent damage and deter repeat offenses. You can also try placing absorbent pads in places your pet tends to have accidents.
- Give your cat something to scratch.
Cats love to scratch – it’s part of who they are! But giving them a scratching post or toy will help them keep their claws off your furniture. It’s best to begin this practice when you first bring your new feline friend home, but you can also help them make the transition by placing the scratching post near their favorite scratching spot. It may take a few tries before you find the type of post that your beloved feline prefers but don’t give up – you’ll be glad you stayed persistent in the long run.
- Turn scratching into a sticky situation.
Cats don’t enjoy have their paws stuck to things so adding some double-sided tape to places your feline friend likes to scratch will work as a deterrent. They will likely seek out somewhere else to scratch – and those new scratching posts will be just the thing they are looking for.
- Let’s chew on this.
Chewing is a natural instinct for dogs, but it’s not fun for anyone when shoes, furniture, other household items become chew toys. One of the best ways to prevent or deter your pup from chewing items they shouldn’t is to make it taste bad. Bitter sprays, tabasco, or other hot sauce can all work well in turning Fido’s attention away from your home and personal items when they want to chew. Instead, try toys you can hide treats inside, antlers, or bully sticks for your canine friend to chew on and hopefully soon the days of slobbery base boards will be a thing of the past.
- Try pet proofing.
Sometimes simply minimizing the areas of the home your pets have access to can help. Baby gates are a convenient solution because they can easily be moved or put away when not needed. If your pup typically gets in trouble in specific places when left alone, use the gate to keep them away from that area while you are gone. Gates may also be helpful during holidays or other special occasions to help protect decorations and displays.
We all love our pets, and they hold a very special place in our hearts but smells and damage created by pets can be costly. Taking steps to minimize any issues and protect your property from pet damage will keep both you and your pet happy. And it will prevent costly repairs in the future whether you own or lease a home.
