Living through a home remodel can be a challenging experience for everyone in your household, including your pets. To ensure the well-being of your furry friends during construction, we’ve compiled a guide to help you care for them:

1. Find a safe space for your pets: It’s important to keep your pets away from the work areas for their safety and the workers’. Consider options such as keeping them in a closed room that workers don’t need access to, providing a secure dog run or catio, boarding them at a kennel, or dropping them off at doggy daycare.
2. Introduce your pets to the workers: If your dog will be at home during the construction, we recommend having a meet and greet session between your pets and the contractors. This can help familiarize them with each other, potentially reducing barking and creating a more harmonious environment.
3. Block off construction areas: Ensure that construction areas are completely blocked off to prevent your curious pets from entering hazardous zones. Consider using safety gates as an extra precautionary measure.
4. Maintain normal routines: Pets thrive on routine, so try to stick to their regular feeding and exercise schedules as much as possible during the renovation. Keeping their days as normal as you can will help reduce stress and anxiety.
5. Microchip your pets: It’s always a good idea to have a backup plan, even with all the precautions in place. Make sure your pets are microchipped and wearing collars with up-to-date tags that include your contact information.
6. Consider hazardous fumes: Pets are more sensitive to fumes than humans, so be aware of any construction activities that may produce potentially harmful fumes. Discuss this with your contractor to stay informed and take necessary precautions.
7. Communicate with your contractor: Before work begins, discuss your plans with your contractor and collaborate on ways to make the remodeling process safer and more enjoyable for everyone in your home. Ensure that the remodeling team maintains a clean worksite, covers any holes, and properly stores their tools at the end of each day.
8. Know your pet: You know your pet best, so take their individual needs and sensitivities into account. If they are sensitive to noise or strangers, it may be best to have them stay with a reliable friend or family member during the remodel or work from home to be there for them. Plan fun trips on louder days to give both of you a break from the construction environment.
9. Deep clean after the work is completed: Once the construction is finished, perform a thorough deep clean to remove any remaining dust or debris. Wipe down surfaces and ventilate your home before officially moving back in.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure the well-being of your pets and make the remodeling process as smooth as possible for everyone involved.