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How to Pet Proof Your House for a New Dog or Cat

June 30th, 2014 by Cherished Companions Animal Clinic

Simone, the cat, lounges in a chair. Her humans wish they had down more to pet proof the house.

Let’s say you’re preparing your house for your first dog or cat. (Exciting!)

Or perhaps, you’ve had dogs or cats before… You simply need a quick refresher on how to pet proof your house.

Here are tips on how to pet proof your house for a new dog or cat — including ideas from Houzz and the Denver Post.

Houzz: Pet proofing a house, room by room

Oh, Houzz.

We could spend hours on your app looking at house photos, and now you’ve giving us even more to explore: great tips to pet proof your house.

This article provides a room-by-room pet proofing guide, from your house to your yard.

Denver Post: Tips to get your house ready for a puppy

Getting a puppy? Here are even more tips to puppy-proof your house and yard.

The Denver Post shared tips on how to puppy proof the house and yard.

And finally, we’ll add a few veterinary tips of our own…

If you’re planning for your new dog:

Choose a safe and comfortable place that can serve as your dog’s haven, such as the place where you want to put your dog’s kennel or bed.

Keep in mind, a dog is a pack animal, and when you bring it home, you’re separating it from its pack.

You may want to put the kennel near people, such as in a family room or your bedroom, rather than putting the dog all by itself.

If you’re planning for your new cat:

Declaw your cat when it’s very young if you’re going to do it at all.

You’ll save your cat the pain of getting declawed later in life… and help protect your leather furniture and upholstered chairs along the way.

(Earlier is much better for declawing!)

If you’re nervous about your furniture, you also can train your cat to use a scratching post.

You just need to be willing to do some cat training.

Other articles that may interest you:

Rescuing a cat or dog? Get a FREE wellness check

Make sure your new pet is healthy!

If you’re adopting a rescue dog or a rescue cat, get a FREE 1st exam for rescue pets within 14 days of adoption.

Call our Castle Rock veterinarians at 303-688-3757 or:

Book your visit here 

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Cherished Companions Animal Clinic is a veterinary clinic in Castle Rock, Colorado. Specializing in the care of dogs and cats, our goal is to help you and your pet feel more comfortable, keeping your stress to a minimum.

This article is intended to provide general guidance. If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact your local veterinarian. (If you live in or around Castle Rock, we welcome your call.)

© 2014, Cherished Companions Animal Clinic, All Rights Reserved

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