Tips Keep Your Pets Safe and Calm During a Home Renovation

Once you decide to go for a house remodel, you must know you are in for quite an endeavor. From planning a project to its execution and the cleanup after, renovations require a lot of time and effort, especially when it's your first remodel. There will be contractors and workers constantly in transit through your home, and if you have pets, this might cause a bit of commotion. Most animals can get anxious in such a situation, and it's essential to find ways to keep your pets safe and calm during a home renovation. While the people in your home may understand what is going on, you cannot communicate it to your puppy. However, you can take steps to ensure that the introduction of this new situation goes off without a hitch. To help you along, we have prepared a guide for you today.

Keep your pets safe and calm during a home renovation - A guide

Pets have a strong sense of routine. They want to master every tiny detail of their domain — your house – and imagine themselves as monarchs of their kingdom. As a result, if you decide to do a kitchen renovation, add an extension, or even simply repaint the bathroom, cats and dogs are likely to respond with panic, uncertainty, or excitement. So, how can you protect them from feeling overwhelmed and acting out? Let's see.

Understand what to expect

Animals are more responsive to noises and scents than humans. The hammering and pounding in your house are more audible to your pet than you, and paint and chemical odors are also more detectable.

Pets are known to act out during the hustle and bustle of remodeling projects, so don't be shocked if you see any erratic behavior. When your pet's rhythm changes, they go to the potty indoors or withdraw from people. It's also likely that your pet will get aggressive, in which case you should take them away from the house and find them temporary accommodation with friends, family, or a sitter.

Hire a pet sitter

It would help if you thought about hiring a pet sitter. For animals, the amount of noise can cause anxiety that is sometimes inevitable. But we know upgrades are already costly, so adding another expenditure to the list will be tough. However, if you believe it would make your furry friend safer and calmer and that you would be less concerned, it may be worthwhile to hire a pet sitter while the house is under construction. If money is a barrier, perhaps you can save some money with budget-friendly remodel ideas.

Choose daycare

Another common alternative for some people is to get their pet out of the house completely. For pets with particular personalities, effectively removing the possibility of discomfort during construction days is a beneficial alternative. You'll rest easier throughout the workweek, ensuring that your pet is looked after, relaxed, and receiving enough care.

Block off the area

If the remodeling is limited to one part of the house, such as a bathroom, keeping the doors shut and your pet outside is a very straightforward operation. You could put up signs reminding you or the workers to keep the door locked. And, to keep pets out of a greater area, you can add other obstacles such as stairway barriers. But you must ensure that your contractors can function around these, so it doesn't interfere with their job.

Create a secure environment

You should also provide a safe haven for your pet during the construction period. Preferably, this will be the exact location where your beloved pet usually rests or feeds. If that isn't doable, gradually move its position to give your pet a chance to acclimatize. Moving and storage experts from centennialmoving.ca suggest that it's imperative to prepare your pets for significant events such as relocation or home renovation the right way.

Select a location as removed from the works as possible. Provide several hiding spots, such as beneath chairs or somewhere high up for kitties. It's preferable to create a location where your pet may come and leave as they please. Cats, in particular, may become agitated if they are used to having free reign of your house as well as the outside area. If you must limit your pet, make sure to keep it that way for as short as possible.

Distract them with new toys

If your pet enjoys toys, you could purchase several new ones to distract them.  It's the ideal method to shift their attention away from the commotion and upheaval in the home and toward all of the entertainment.

If they're confined to a box or a room, the new toys will keep your pets safe and calm despite the change in surroundings. They will also start to equate remodeling with obtaining new toys, and it's a terrific method to positively reward good behavior and prepare them for any potential home renovations you may have in mind.

Stick to your usual routine

Sticking to your typical schedule as much as possible is an excellent method to soothe your pet. Meals and outings should be treated in the same manner every day. If you aren't doing the renovations yourself, attempt to do your usual chores. A lovely morning exercise also increases the likelihood that your puppy will sleep the day off and be less agitable.

Let your pet meet the contractors 

If your pet is friendly, allow them to meet and greet the workers who will be coming and going to your house. Encouraging your pet to become acquainted with smells and sounds may put them at peace during the whole process.

Final words

When planning a home renovation, there is a lot to think about. Your cherished companion's well-being is high on your priority list, but it doesn't have to be a source of stress if you prepare ahead. Because your pet cannot speak for itself and relies on you for safety, it is critical to be proactive to keep your pets safe and calm during a home renovation. We hope our tips from today will help you along. Good luck!