When an apartment is pet-proofed, everyone gets along much better. The landlord is happy because the apartment stays clean and undamaged. You’re happy because your pet isn’t ruining anything, and your pet is happy because it’s not getting in trouble.
Pet-proofing really is the best way to maintain good relationships from all angles. And the best part is, it doesn’t have to be expensive. You can make renter-friendly changes in apartments that preserve your space from day one.
10 Ways to Pet-Proof Your Apartment
1. Secure the Balcony
The balcony will pique your pet’s interest, so you must secure this space if you have one. Start by adding a barrier on or around the railing to keep your pet from falling (ensure your landlord approves the material). Remove any bird feeders that could urge your pet to jump on or destroy them.
You’ll also need to place a rug on the balcony floor so cat litter, soil, and fur don’t sprinkle onto the balcony below. Your neighbors will thank you!
2. Keep Plants Out of Reach
Plants really spruce up a space, but sometimes these plants are toxic for our pets. An easy way to find a middle ground is to keep plants off the floor and out of the way. This will discourage your pet from knocking over the plant you worked so hard to keep alive. Plus, who wants to clean up all that soil?
If you do want to have some plants in your apartment, check to make sure they are not toxic to your pet.
Bonus tip: Watch out for dangling macrame plant holders; puppies love chewing on them.
3. Add Child Locks to Cabinets
Not only are child locks affordable, they are easy to install, too, making them one of the most renter-friendly options for pet-proofing.
You’d think the bottom cabinets are the only doors to add child locks, but cats are crafty critters and will open the tallest cabinets just because they can. Dogs, on the other hand, will likely open the bottom cabinets to scavenge.
You wouldn’t want your pets to find and consume items like coffee, chocolate or onions and garlic. Many human food items are toxic to pets.
You don’t have to lock down your entire kitchen. Instead, start with the most obvious cabinets, like under the sink or the pantry door, and go from there.
4. Invest in a Lockable Trash Can
It goes without saying- animals enjoy garbage. Much of what is tossed away isn’t suitable for our pets, so invest in a trash can with a reliable lockable lid. But avoid the motion sensor trash cans. Dogs have cracked the code to open these trash cans on multiple occasions.
5. Protect Your Furniture
Any easy way to protect your furniture? Couch protectors. They’re affordable, machine washable, and you can choose from several colors, so you don’t sacrifice visual appeal.
6. Don’t Get Rid of Your Rugs
Most people hide the rugs so a new puppy or cat doesn’t destroy them. This makes sense since dogs like to chew on everything. But what if you added more rugs instead?
A puppy can ruin your apartment’s carpeting or hardwood flooring, and your landlord will be less than thrilled. The money comes out of your deposit. To avoid this, add cheap rugs to protect your apartment’s flooring from potty stains and nail scratches.
7. Set Up a Pet Corner
We’ve mentioned hiding items from your pet but about toys? That’s where a pet corner comes into play.
A pet corner is your pet’s space where it can decompress and relieve its natural instincts without concern. This is where you’ll have a kennel, cat trees, a box of toys, and anything else appropriate to your pet. It’s like a little bedroom for your fur baby.
In an apartment, it’s wise to have a potty area when you can’t come home to let your pet outside. Cats will have litter boxes, but dogs will need potty pads or an indoor grass area to do their business.
8. A Gate Is Your Best Friend
Training your pet is an absolute must, but that doesn’t mean your pet won’t push the boundaries occasionally. Push the frustration aside and invest in a baby gate so your pet can see the no-go areas. You’ll save yourself a lot of trouble.
9. Clean for 15 Minutes Daily
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In this case, it’s 15 minutes of cleaning. Fifteen minutes a day is all you need to help prevent chewed shoes, knocked over trash cans, and ingested plastic. Not only will you prevent an accident, but your apartment will look fresh and tidy. Who doesn’t want that?
Start by picking up the floors, vacuuming or sweeping, taking out the trash, and wiping down table tops.
10. Hide Wires, Cables, and Chargers
With computers, phones, and appliances come lots and lots of wires—a puppy paradise but an owner’s worst nightmare.
Wire chewing is expensive to replace and will endanger your puppy. In serious cases, mouth burns, muscle tremors, seizures, shortness of breath, and more can occur when your dog chews on wires. Instead of laying the wires on the floor, run them along doorways, walls, or hide them under rugs and behind furniture.
Work With Your Landlord
When it comes to pets, communication is key. Your landlord should already know about your pet, and fees should be paid in advance. Otherwise, you set yourself up for a long, stressful lease agreement. It’s best to communicate your intentions from the get-go to avoid awkward confrontations later.
If pet-proofing requires you to drill into the walls or make temporary long-term changes, don’t hesitate to ask your landlord. The worst that can happen is your landlord says no, and you go to plan B.
Final Thoughts: Take Action Before It’s Too Late
The secret to a well-proofed apartment isn’t the amount of money you spend; it’s planning ahead. The last thing you want to do is pet-proof after your pet arrives at your apartment.
True, you may only know you need certain items the moment you need them. But this list helps you avoid those situations so you can spend less time stressing and more time having fun with your new pet.
