Tips for renovating with pets

Australia is an enthusiastic nation of home renovators, and we are surrounded by television programs such as The Block and renovation magazines aplenty. According to ABS statistics, 67% of Aussie couples with children live in a renovated home. Furthermore, 85% of us continue to live in our home as we renovate.

The excitement and stress of renovations affects the four legged members of the family just as much as the 2 legged ones. Vets around the country see plenty of cats and dogs suffering the upheavals involved in creating that dream home. Typical problems include straying due to inadequate fencing, noise phobias - that are manifest as howling, barking, injuries while trying to escape of hide and lack of appetite.

With 64% of Australian households owning a pet, it’s important to make arrangements for them when drawing up renovation plans. Here are some tips for making the transition much smoother.

• Make sure your pet is wearing a collar and I.D. tag, or is microchipped.
• Have a secure area for your pet where  it can be safely enclosed at all times while the work is going on.  Often, temporary structures need to be used, because fences and doors  might need removing during renovations to allow easier access.
• Check the garden every day to see  what out-of-bounds areas have been made accessible to the pet. Often,  places like garden sheds contain dangerous chemicals like snail bait or  garden tools that may cause injury to an inquisitive dog or cat.
• Try to keep your pets routine as  normal as possible. They still needs their walks, love and attention at  this time. If anything, try to spend a little extra time with them for  reassurance.
• If you will be making any changes to  your pets eating or sleeping areas during building, make sure you do it  well in advance, before work has begun, and while other stresses are  minimal. Pets cope much better if they are familiar with their  surroundings before other changes occur.
• Some cats and dogs don’t cope well with noises and unfamiliar people involved in renovating. Cats are  particularly susceptible. If you have a pet that suffers from anxiety  you should speak with your Vet as there are often products such as  pheromone sprays and diffusers which can be used to help calm you pet.
• For extremely stressful parts of the building work, you may such as the use of cranes, jackhammers and the  like, consider booking your pet into a boarding kennel.