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Home / Your New Furry Friend: How to Prepare Your House for a New Dog

Your New Furry Friend: How to Prepare Your House for a New Dog

If your family has been planning to bring home a new dog, you’re not alone. In the US, there are currently more than 75 million pet dog owners, which is more than any other country. But it’s one thing to know you want a dog and another to have your home prepared for one. Here’s what you can do to get your house ready for your new furry friend.

Gather All the Papers You Can Get

While you’re getting ready to take your new dog home, make it a point to collect as many of your new dog’s vet records as possible if you’re getting them from a pet shelter. Find out which shots they have already been given as well so that you have an idea of how many they still need. When you know the treatments they have undergone and you have the records to prove it, you will have an easier time keeping them in good health, so work on this before it’s time to get them home.

Get a Rug If You Have Hardwoods

If you have a hardwood floor, you need to dog-proof it before the newest family member gets home. Get rugs to cover the floor to make sure you won’t have scratches from your new furry friend’s paws. Rugs will not only protect your hardwood floors from your dog’s nails, but they will also create a comfortable surface for your dog to walk on.

Get Mentally Prepared for New Responsibilities

Getting a dog or any pet for that matter means more responsibilities for you all. To make sure that everyone in the family enjoys the adjustment of getting a dog and takes it in their stride, it’s good to find out in advance the new responsibilities you will have. These responsibilities include feeding the dog, cleaning them and cleaning up after them, taking them for walks, and making sure they’re getting their recommended exercise each day.

Clean Your Air Ducts

When you bring your new dog home, your HVAC filters and air ducts will eventually build up with more dust, dander, and dog hair. The EPA states that indoor air quality can be between two to five times worse than that outdoors, so it’s important to create a regular schedule for cleaning your air ducts. Change the filters once every three to five years, as recommended by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, to reduce the risk of irritating allergies.

Make Sure Your Kids Know How to Behave Around a Dog

Finally, make sure that your kids know how to behave around a dog, giving them guidelines on what to do and what not to do. This is important in order to make sure that both the dog and your kids are safe and happy. You can also invest in AAA pet insurance for extra safety.

If you’re getting ready to add a new furry family member to your life, be sure to follow the tips above to make sure you and your family are ready.

Kelsey R.
Author: Kelsey R.

Metro Detroit Mommy writer Kelsey.