Our house is not just a place where we go home at the end of the day. It should be a sanctuary, a place of safety. It should provide us shelter as well as comfort, at any time of the day at any day of the year.
Homes with your children and pets should offer more safety and convenience than the rest. It should be well- kept, free from dangling wires and with covers and locks in the right places. Breakable items and chemicals should be far from children’s reach too.
Another aspect to consider is making your home plumbing pet-friendly too. Families who have four-legged members can really find their way under the nooks and cranny of your home. They can even find their way playing on your toilet plumbing. To protect them from harm and to keep your plumbing free from damages caused by your pets at home, here are some tips to consider.
Wash your pets outside, if possible
If you have pets that spend a good time outdoors, they are most likely covered with dirt, sand and mud on their feet and fur. Their foreign materials, when flushed down your bathtub drains or shower drains can build up and cause clogging in the long run. It would be ideal to clean your pets outdoors, especially when the weather is nice. If you prefer cleaning up your pets in the tub, it would be best to give them a quick shower outdoors, to remove the mud and dirt, before you bring them inside the tub to bathe.
Conceal all your pipings at home
If you have exposed pipings at home – in your kitchen, laundry areas, basement or bathrooms, it would be best to cover and conceal them to avoid any possible risk with your pets. Pets can chew or urinate in these areas if they are left unconcealed. You can hide them by placing a cabinet, curtain or rugs. You can install home-made covers too to have easy access to these spots when needed. Even outdoor pipes and plumbing fixtures should be concealed from your pets too. Water hoses can be an easy target for chewing from your pets. Keep them in storage when not in use.
Keep harsh chemicals stored and sealed
Chemicals used to clean your bath tubs and lavatories as well as drain cleaners can be bad and poisonous for your pets. Be sure to keep them hidden and locked away, far from the reach of your kids and pets. To prevent them from accidentally playing with these harsh chemicals, store them in areas that can be hard to reach. If you are storing them under the kitchen sink, it would be best to keep the cabinet door locked and inaccessible for your pets and young ones.
Keep your pet’s water dish full
Dogs and cats can run around our house to get access to drinking water. If possible, train them to drink from their water dish alone. Make it a point to keep them full of water at all times. Failure to do so may cause them to seek water from your kitchen sink or toilet bowls. This may put your pet’s health in danger. Taking time to keep their water dish full ensures that they have access to clean water at all times.
Pet-proofing your home may take time and may cost a little, but is worth every penny to keep your pets safe from harm. Doing so also ensures that your plumbing at home is free from possible issues that your furry friends may cause as they explore and enjoy your home.
