Make Your Home Safe for Your Pets

by Dianne Drinkwater 06/23/2019

Do you have a dog or a cat that you absolutely love? Well, you are not alone. More people than you would imagine actually identify their pets as their best friends. It doesn’t matter if you don’t think of Twinkles as your best friend, you still want her to be safe at your home. Here are a couple of simple ideas that you can carry out to make your home safer and less injurious for your pets.

Make sure your indoor plants are safe for pets. Plants like aloe vera, ivies and amaryllis are quite toxic for dogs. Lilies have also been shown to cause liver failure in kittens. If you are considering getting a newly potted plant, you might want to ask your vet if it’s safe for your pets before you decide to bring it home.
Keep all chemicals behind closed doors. It’s not uncommon to find all kinds of chemicals in the house – antifreeze, rodenticides, cleaning products, fertilizers, etc. Remember that pets are by nature rather curious creatures, so make sure all your chemicals are safely stored away behind a closed cupboard, far away from the reach of your pets.
Keep your trash cans tightly covered. And if it’s possible, keep them outside your home, and if that’s not possible, in a locked cabinet. The trash is usually full of discarded food, small pieces of trash and other waste products that you might not consider dangerous but may be very harmful to your pets.
Keep your toilet lids down. Small animals have been known to drown in the toilet or poisoned by drinking chemically contaminated water from there.
Keep your windows properly shut. This is very important, especially if you live in a high rise. If you have to open your windows, you should install a sturdy and robust window screen. Don’t count on the window bars alone; cats can fit through them and dogs can easily open them.
Don’t leave food or drinks out in the open. Always try to keep food and other edibles out of the reach of your pets. What you may consider a gourmet dish may turn out to be toxic for Tiger. Grapes and raisins can lead to kidney failure in dogs. Caffeine and chocolate are also lethal too. Milk and dairy products can cause indigestion in animals too. For a more comprehensive list of dangerous foods for pets, see the ASPCA website.

When you’re shopping for a new home, make sure to tell your real estate about your pet needs, they can help you find the most pet-friendly properties.

Pets

Dogs

Cats

About the Author

Dianne Drinkwater

Dianne is a full time, full service, state licensed Realtor®, member of Northeast Florida Regional Association of Realtors® (NEFAR), St. Augustine/ St.Johns County Board of Realtors, National Association of Realtors® (NAR), Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR), and Northeast Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service And St. Augustine/St. Johns (MLS), Shearwater Certified, and Military on the Move Designation.

She provides a unique blend of leadership, sales acumen, project management, technology, and world class customer relation skills to enhance Watson Realty Corporation's values in the real estate sales and mortgage marketplace. She is a decisive take action solution-oriented professional with 25+ years of progressive business experience who efficiently utilizes technology to improve results. She has lived in the St. Augustine/Jacksonville area since 2005 and has seen the area continue to flourish and stays well informed of future growth plans within Northeast Florida.

Let's take a look at the lighter side of Dianne. She loves life is artistic loves music, the arts, yoga and genealogy! She loves to explore and hates to be bored. She loves the outdoors, especially plant life and wildlife. She has been a Master Gardener in Florida and Maine; as a photography enthusiast she has the eye to spot the perfect shot, which spills over to the photos she makes of the properties she markets AND frequently hires the best specialized real estate photographers/drone and videographers who make the difference in the sale. And, she loves to share her knowledge of the local real estate market and all aspects of the process to guide you through each step as a coach rather than a salesperson.

So, let's sum it up. Buying or selling your home is an important life decision. Reasons can vary greatly from change of lifestyle, to relocation or life challenges. You need someone you can trust, count on, respect and help shoulder the stress, anxiety and time commitment involved. Doesn't this sound like someone you want working for you?

So, what's the next step? Contacting Dianne of course. It is all about YOUR needs, goals, timeline and DREAMS! She's here to help you achieve them and she looks forward to hearing from you.

What are you looking for in a Realtor? - Someone who will really listen to your wants and needs? Someone who will expertly market your home until the SOLD sign adorns your front lawn or if you are a buyer tirelessly researches your wish list to find that perfect home? - How about someone who will always be honest, holds ethics in high regard as a realtor, who works aggressively to get you the best price for your home and someone who knows the market?

Selling or buying a home is a partnership with your trusted advisor- Dianne Drinkwater