How to Prepare Your Home Ready for a New Puppy This Summer

Adding a puppy to your family is a big decision, and there is a lot of preparation needed before you bring your new fur baby home. To help you better prepare, here is what you need to know to get your home ready for your new family member.

Consider Installing a Fence or Gate

About 11% of most residential communities are gates or secured, and 57% of these include special entry systems. If you’re thinking of installing a fence, you should also consider a special entry system to help prevent your gate from accidentally being opened and letting your puppy out. A lot of pets get out when the gate is opened accidentally by either a family member or a visitor. This can lead to your new puppy potentially getting lost. Entry systems can help prevent this by allowing you to keep your gate secure.

Reorganize Hazardous Household Items So They’re Out of Reach

Puppies are notorious for getting into things that they shouldn’t. Make sure that any chemicals that they could potentially get into are locked up in cabinets, and keep any uncovered wastebins out of their reach. Items can easily cause complicated medical issues if the material is ingested, so make sure things like this are out of reach.

Similarly, you should make sure that when you’re making your puppy’s food that their dish is thoroughly cleaned and hasn’t been contaminated by anything. The four primary sources of contamination include biological, physical, chemical, and cross-contamination, and some substances can contaminate your dog’s food or water and make them ill.

Puppy-Proof Your Home

When it comes to puppy-proofing your home, there are a few easy steps to take. For one, you should consider investing in puppy pads if your puppy isn’t completely potty trained. These can help prevent accidents until your puppy learns to go outside. You may also wish to move any plants that you have out of reach, especially if they are toxic to dogs.

Electrical wires should also be kept either out of sight or tucked away where your puppy can’t reach them. Ideally, you should always unplug things that you’re not using, especially if you’re going to be away from the house. Young puppies love to chew on anything that they can get their paws on, and they have been known to try and chew through wires, which can be both frustrating and dangerous.

Purchase Organic and Safe Puppy Supplies and Food

A lot of dog food has unnecessary additives that can do more harm than good when added to your dog’s diet. If you’re unsure what food is best, ask your vet what they would recommend for your new puppy when you take your pup in for a check-up and shots. Some puppies can have sensitive stomachs, so you may even want to start off with a gentler diet, especially if they are very young.

When it comes to finding safe puppy supplies, there are many online pet stores that offer great puppy necessities. Many also have numbers you can call if you need any help finding what you need. Over 44% of website visitors tend to leave a website if there’s no contact information, and when it comes to finding the best puppy supplies, you’ll always want a trusted source that you can easily contact.

Set Up Your Pup’s Space

When you bring your puppy home, you’ll want to make sure they have their own space to relax in while they get adjusted to living with you. It may take them a few days to become familiar and comfortable with you, so having their own bed, food, and toys in a special area that’s just for them can help make the transition easier.

With all of this in mind, you can bring your new puppy back home with confidence that you are as prepared as possible. If you ever have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet or even your local pet supply store to learn more about how to best take care of your new forever friend.