If you have owned a dog and a cat, you would know how adorably cute they can get. You would be familiar with how easy it is to fall in love with them. But you’d know just as well that their playfulness can only equal to the level of damage they are capable of causing. Leaving your condo pets alone at home can cause you massive headache. Here are ways you can have a pet-friendly condo, and keep the problems at bay.
Check your condo
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If you have a cat, you will have to check your window screens, especially if your condo unit is located in a higher floor. If you frequently open your windows, make sure your screens are sturdy. You have to avoid the danger of your screen popping out, and having your cat escape. If your screens are not all that sturdy, make sure you have it replaced. You would also want to check your dishwasher and dryer, as cats tend to go where it’s warm. Make sure you keep these appliances closed so your pet does not crawl in and get accidentally trapped. You must also remember to check in before you start running them.
It will also help to keep your trash cans closed. Your pets might decide to explore what’s in them, and end up creating a mess at best or getting sick with the unsavory items at worst. They can also hurt themselves with items like can lids. You would also want to keep the toilet lid down, especially if you have kittens as they could easily drown in the water. Older pets may also drink from the not-so-clean water.
You should also check your furniture, especially those that recline or that have a lifting foot. Your pets may love crawling underneath. Always check before pulling the furniture up to avoid trapping your pet. And make sure not to leave your candles unattended. Your pet, especially the furry ones, could easily catch their fur on fire.
Inform the management that you have a pet
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Inform the property management about your pet. While it can be tempting to hide your pet so you can avoid the paperwork or any possible expenses, it is essential that you go through the process. This is important so your management is aware of the existence of your pet in case of emergency situations. Besides, there’s a great chance they are going to find out about it anyway. It’s best to save face beforehand.
Keep yourself informed of the pet policies in your condo, and pick only the properties that are pet-friendly and that would readily welcome your furry friend. You can explore your options with DMCI properties.
Get rid of hazards
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Clear your condo of poisonous plants. Many plants are toxic to pets, some only mildly while others can be deadly. Make sure you keep poisonous plants out of reach, or get rid of them altogether. Some of the more common poisonous plants are the aloe vera, caladium, many types of ferns, many ivies, and any type of lilies. Some of your non-toxic options are the feather palm, bamboo, and African violets.
Don’t forget foods that are poisonous for your pets. Keep raisins, grapes, chocolate, alcohol, and coffee out of reach. Cats, in particular, are averse to xylitol, chives, garlic, onions, macadamia nuts, and yeast dough. They are also unable to properly process excessive salt. Check for more info on other possibly toxic foods for your pet. You can go online for a more comprehensive list or check with a vet.
Put the chemicals away. Household chemicals like cleaning supplies are often poisonous to pets. There is no telling how far your pets’ curiosity can take them, so it’s best to be cautious. Do not forget the medicines. They can be just as poisonous to your pets. Put them away in a tightly shut medicine cabinet or in a pet-proof box with snap handles.
Keep strings out of reach as well, including the ones on blinds. They look like toys to cats.This poses the danger of your cat getting all tangled up, or even strangling itself. Pets also have a tendency to chew on electronic cords. Tie them up or store them away. Yarns and dental floss should be kept out of the way as well, as your pet may swallow them and get stomach problems. If keeping these things out of the way is not doable, you may opt to make them taste bad by using a cat-safe spray, such as the bitter apple.
Take stock of all possibly toxic items in your condo. Common household items like fabric softener sheets, mothballs, batteries and cigarettes can cause harm to your pets. Make sure you keep them out of reach.
Make your veranda pet-friendly
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Your pet’s water bowl could easily stick out and make your tiny veranda look unattractive. You can disguise it by using an attractive planter that is harder to knock over. Make sure that you choose a plant pot that is safe for drinking water. Also, make sure that you pick something that is not too tall for your pets.
You can also grow pet-friendly greens in your veranda. Most dogs enjoy nibbling grass. You can grow sprouts, a great alternative for the stuff they eat at the park, which can be loaded with chemicals from pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Sprouts are easy to grow and are chock-full of easily digestible and healthy enzymes, minerals, and vitamins.
Your veranda can give your pets a semblance of being outdoors. Keep in mind that this cannot replace the real thing. Make sure you take your pets outdoors for proper exercise. Take advantage of your DMCI condo’s amenities. Play with your dog at the atrium so you can both keep your endorphins going, run along the walking pathways to strengthen your body or just chill with your cat at the gazebo by the pool.
Protect your stuff and your condo
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Protect your condo furniture from unwanted scratches by providing your cats with appropriate scratching places. You can buy scratching boards at pet stores. It will also help to keep your cat’s claws clipped. You can buy a special tool for trimming your cat’s claws, or simply use regular nail clippers. Just make sure that they are sharp.
You should also keep breakables out of your pets’ reach. One other thing you can do is cover your furniture. You cannot stop your pets from shedding, but you can easily protect your furniture. Just make sure you choose covers that are attractive, and that are easy to wash and replace.
Condo living with pets can be extremely pleasurable if you know how to take proper precautions. Living in the right condo community also helps.
