Keep Pets Safe During Your Home Remodel

Home renovations can be chaotic, but for pets, they can be downright dangerous. Unfamiliar noises, open doors, and busy work zones create risks that are easy to overlook until it’s too late. At Airy Kitchens, safety is always our top priority. To better understand how to protect pets during a renovation, I spoke with Adina Silberstein, owner of Queenies Pets in Mt Airy, Philadelphia, about simple ways to keep animals safe, calm, and comfortable throughout the renovation process.

A client’s dog, Mack enjoying her new kitchen.

First let’s talk about an initial meeting before work begins. We love dogs, but they often jump on us and can be disruptive, making it hard to communicate with clients.

How to keep dogs calm during site meetings?

“You want to make sure people coming into your house are comfortable.” says Silberstein. She recommends keeping pets away from meetings because people may be nervous, which makes pets nervous. “Start with a containment system to make the dog know it’s okay and let the person say whether or not they’re comfortable.” If your dog is crate trained, Silberstein recommends the crate, otherwise baby gates are a great way to let the dog see what’s going on without jumping on guests.

Cats and dogs want to explore, so use a baby gate to keep them safe.

How can pets stay safe through a home renovation?

“When the house is a major construction zone, it’s best for pets not to be in the house.” says Silberstein. She recommends using doggy daycare or leaving your pets with a friend on loud construction days. If the pets need to stay in the home, “have them in an upstairs bedroom, music on, and make it comfortable for them.” Adina advised keeping the door shut to keep dust out of the room and reduce noise and stress. She also warned that “we know that pets often escape during construction, either because an opportunity arises, or because they’re scared and want to run away from the sounds”. She says that owners need to take responsibility here and not assume contractors will always have an eye on your pet.

Hidden construction dangers pet owners should know

Silberstein warned us that “fiberglass insulation is harmful to swallow and pets often want to eat it.” Another dangerous issue that pet owners might not think about is dust. “Because cats are constantly cleaning themselves, the dust that’s in the air will get licked off their fur and paws.” If your pet needs to walk through the construction zone to get outside, Adina recommends using a damp washcloth to wipe legs and paws every time they walk through. Considering low VOC paint? if you own a bird, Silberstein says it’s a must. “Anybody who has an animal smaller than a dog or cat must remove them from the home during construction, especially birds. Birds can die very quickly from paint fumes, or any kind of fumes.”

See more of this doggy’s kitchen renovation

Home design ideas that make life easier with pets

Silberstein recommends a quiet and safe space for your pet to eat. Additionally, she loves a mud room. “Put hooks up where you can hang a towel to wipe their paws, where you can always know where the leash and collar is. One of our challenges is working with households where things are in disarray.” Finally, Adina loves a double door entry. “If you have a cat that likes to dart out, two doors are better than one.”

What can Queenie’s offer to help pets through the remodeling process?

Queenies offers hourly pet sitting where your pet gets to hang out in their office on Germantown Ave. They offer dog walking and can schedule extra walks to keep your dog busy during noisy construction days. Queenies also brings dogs on group hikes where your dog can socialize and burn some energy in the Wissahickon. The more you tire them out, the less disruptive they’ll be at home.

Renovation ideas for pet owners

Silberstein recommends high transom windows that can be safely left open when homeowners are away. “pets get really hot in summer” she reminds us.

For cabinetry, Adina says lose the toe kicks. “Every time I’m doing a project in my house I think of cleanliness. I have five pets.” While toe kicks are useful in front of the sink and main work areas, she says they always collect pet hair.

A final piece of advice: “Don’t put air ducts in the floor because they’ll just be full of fur.” Good advice from a woman that knows! If you would like to contact Queenies Pets about dog walking or pet sitting, click here. If you are interested in a pet friendly kitchen remodel in Philadelphia or the main line, fill out our contact form.

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