By Emma Di Salvo
As an animal enthusiast and a proud parent to three adorable fur babies, I’ve always prioritised making my home pet-safe. For most of us, a pet is not just a pet but a beloved family member. Popular domestic animals such as cats, dogs, and rabbits bring immense joy and meaning into our lives.
Our love for our pets makes it crucial to create an environment where our cherished companions can thrive. But how do you achieve this? Read on for some tips and ideas on transforming your home into a pet paradise!
Catify Your Crib
Due to ill health, age or safety, our beloved kitties are sometimes forced to become house cats. If, like me, this is the situation you find yourself in, it’s up to us to ensure they have the best life possible as an indoor resident.
Catifying your home is a process and the first step is probably the most important—assigning spaces for them. Cats mark their scent everywhere (they have scent glands in their paws); it’s how they tell other felines or unwanted guests, “Sorry, this space is taken.” The more they do it, the more at home they will feel.
Soft beds are great as cats can get comfy and “make biscuits”, but also harder objects such as cardboard boxes provide somewhere to hide/sleep/play and lots of corners for them to “kiss” and mark as their own.
Once you have assigned areas around the house just for your cat(s), the next step is toys. Because they will be spending all their time inside and not outside hunting, running, and exploring, it’s essential that they don’t get bored. Games that encourage them to solve puzzles and find treats are great for keeping their attention, and so are cat towers, balls, toy mice, and things for them to chase.
Finally (and this step is optional), if you really want to turn your home into the ultimate cat-topia, put up shelves. They will love having the option of taking to higher grounds to traverse the house viewing it from new and exciting angles.
Prepare A Puppy Paradise
There are many ways to make your home a better place for your dog. Like cats and most other domestic creatures, dogs are territorial and enjoy having spaces dedicated to them and only them. Having dog beds around the house is a must, and having plenty of space for them to run around is also essential.
Why not try turning part of your furniture into a cosy cubby for your forever friend? Or design a play area filled with exciting toys and games?
It is also essential to consider what kind of flooring you have. As your pooch will spend much of its time running through the house, something hard and scratch-proof, such as tiles or wood, is a good option. Try to avoid carpet as it collects bacteria like no one’s business. Also, avoid having white furniture, for your own sanity, as fur and stains will be much more noticeable.
If you’re bringing a puppy home, please do puppy-proof areas where there are wires or anything potentially dangerous to your little rascal, and put down pee pads to catch any accidents!
Reserve Room For A Rabbit
Bundles (my beautiful dwarf bunny), is an indoor rabbit. Because of this, my husband and I dedicated a whole room just for him. This might sound extreme, but if you are serious about having an indoor rabbit, this really is the kindest option.
Rabbits need lots of space to run around. Not only that, as they are inquisitive animals they like to explore pretty much everywhere that is available to them. They like to dig, burrow, chew and nibble, so having access to lots of fresh hay, grass mats, and bunny-safe baskets are all items to consider.
Putting barriers up is a good option if you want to keep your rabbit contained in a particular room or area. Be mindful that due to their curious nature, they can get stuck in some unlikely places! Design the room or space with the rabbit’s safety in mind. As far as toys go, rabbits love to play with tunnels, paper towel rolls and stacking cups.
Pets provide us with so much—companionship, loyalty, and emotional balance…and they’re pretty good at keeping secrets, too! As such, the very least we can do, as their guardians, is to give them a safe, happy and engaging environment where they can flourish.
Whether it’s a cute cat who likes to mark their territory with kisses and play with mice, a precious pooch who benefits from cosy cubbies and lots of space, or a rebellious rabbit who likes to explore and nibble on fresh hay, creating a pet-friendly home is fun and certainly something your furry family members will be thankful for!