How to Care for your Pets During a Remodel

Remodeling is an exciting time for homeowners. While we can be a bit anxious, we know the end result will be something we love. Unfortunately, our pets have no idea that all the new smells and loud noises will eventually make the whole home happy. There is already a lot on your plate, but knowing how to care for your pets during a remodel is essential to their health and well-being.

This short article will remind you of some signs of stress in pets and how to make your next house project easier on your furry friends. 

Prep The Contractor

The first step to preparing your pets for a remodel is to keep your contractor in the loop. Introduce your pets to the workers so both parties know the other is not a threat. Talk to the contractor about any chemicals they use or other materials that may harm pets so you know what to watch for.

In many cases, letting your pet know that the workers are okay will put them at ease that all the scents and sounds they are making are also okay. 

Signs of Pet Stress

The first step to ensuring your pet is safe and healthy during a home project is recognizing the signs of stress in pets. 

Accidents

One clear symptom of stress in your pets is a sudden increase in accidents around the house. Another symptom that may be a cause or effect of the accidents is loose stools. 

Other Digestive Issues

Another common symptom of stress in pets is a lack of appetite. In addition to a diminished appetite, you may notice fewer trips to the bathroom and even some puking/dry heaving. 

Destructive Behavior

Often when pets are stressed, they try to relieve some of that anxiety through action. Unfortunately, that action is often destructive behavior like chewing toys and shoes or scratching up the bedpost. 

Excessive Behaviors

Sometimes the signs of stress are a little harder to notice because they are regular behaviors, but they may be more pronounced than usual. Some examples include excessive panting or whining, excessive shedding, and increased clinginess. 

How to Care for Your Pets During a Remodel

Taking care of your pets on top of everything else can be stressful, but don't worry; there are many things you can do to ensure your pets make it through your remodel. 

Create a Safe Zone

One common-sense way to keep your pets stress-free is to keep them as far away from the noise as possible. If workers are in the basement, move the pets upstairs; if they are in the kitchen, move them to a bedroom. 

Go For Walks Regularly

Going for regular walks is one of the best ways to help reduce stress for dogs. It distracts them from the loud noises and helps them burn off some anxious energy. Try to schedule walks around the loudest parts of the day, like demolition, so they miss that excitement. 

Let Them Outside

This doesn't work for everyone, but if you have a fenced outdoor area, you can avoid most of your problems by letting them outside, away from all the things that may cause stress. 

Opt For Daycare

A simple, albeit costly, choice is to opt for a doggy daycare or another boarding kennel to completely remove your pets from the home. Understandably, this is not an option for everybody since inflation has eaten into the cost of most people's remodel budget. 

Reward Generously

If your pet is being a trooper amidst all the chaos, let them know with lots of treats and attention. They may be so focused on all the treats they are getting that the random noises they hear aren't a big deal. 

Do an End-of-Day Walk Through

Most construction workers do an excellent job of cleaning up after themselves, but there is always a chance that something that could be harmful to your pet gets missed, so make sure to do a walkthrough of the construction area after the workers have left to ensure there aren't any dangerous surprises laying around for your pet to find. 

Get Your Pet Microchipped

There are people constantly coming and going in a remodel, which means that doors that are usually closed are left open. That, mixed with the sounds of construction, creates a perfect storm that may result in your pet running out of the house to escape the noise. Ensure that your pet is microchipped so that in the unfortunate event this happens, they can be returned to you promptly. 

They Are a Part of the Family

At Edesia, we understand the importance of updating your kitchen and bath, but we also understand that pets are part of the family and you care about their well-being. Sometimes the best way to take care of them is to get the project started and over with as fast as possible, like ripping the bandage off. If you have been thinking about a remodel, don't wait any longer; contact us today so we can get started.