Surviving the Stress of Renovation: My Pets’ Paw-some Adventure
Raise your hand if you’ve just finished or are in the midst of a major house renovation. Nod your head if your frustration and uncertainty during this ordeal sparked a spat or two with your spouse or made you want to scream out loud. As stressful as these construction projects can be for us humans, just imagine the toll they can take on our furry, feathered, or scaly companions. Their levels of fear, stress, and anxiety can skyrocket due to the constant coming and going of crew members, the loud noises from construction tools, and the daily disruptions to their household routine.
And let’s not overlook how our stress levels throughout this ordeal can affect our pets’ emotional health, causing them to shiver, hide, have upset stomachs, or even try to bolt out doors left ajar. But you and your pets can thrive during a major makeover. I’m living proof, alongside my wife Julie and our five beloved pets – three dogs and two cats.
For the past year, we employed Fear Free techniques to keep our furry friends relatively happy, contented, and engaged during our full year of construction. Their emotional wellbeing and safety were as important to us as the major additions to our home in Dallas.
Preparing the Pets for the Renovation Roller Coaster
Major home renovations require budgeting, seeking bids, and doing lots of research (time spent viewing home improvement shows on HGTV) before the first nail is hammered. This is the perfect time to start getting your pets ready for the upcoming chaos.
Once the construction project begins, try to stick as much to your household routine as possible when it comes to waking hours, doggy bathroom outings, mealtime, naptime, and playtime for your pets. As Julie Reck, DVM, veterinarian and owner of Veterinary Medical Center of Fort Mill in South Carolina advises, “Gear yourself and your pets up for success.”
Some dogs can get stressed by new people constantly coming to the door and bark to sound the alarm. It can be overwhelming to them, so schedule an early morning vigorous walk with them before the crew arrives. Or arrange for your social dog to spend the day at a doggy day care.
To enrich our pets during the construction, we introduced them to food puzzles and new interactive toys and a new backyard wading pool. I also continued to take certified therapy pets Kona and Casey to our regular weekly visits to a memory care center in Dallas. This helped keep them engaged and calm amidst the chaos.
Maximizing Pet Comfort and Safety
Kenneth Martin, DVM and board-certified veterinary behaviorist, and his wife, Debbie, a veterinary technician specialist in behavior, who operate Veterinary Behavior Consultations in Spicewood, Texas, know firsthand the impact renovations can have on pets. They recently added 900 square feet to their ranch home and are now having a garage with living quarters built for their retired parents on their property.
Witnessing the action are their four dogs, who range in age from 10 to 14 years old. “We have found that white noise machines and music therapy or classical music can calm heart rates in our dogs,” says Dr. Martin. “We live out in the country, so we kept our blinds closed so our dogs would not see all the workmen coming and going.”
Safety is also a priority. Debbie Martin put up temporary barriers using exercise pens at the front door as a buffer to prevent canine escapes should the front door blow open or a crew member fail to shut the door completely. Fortunately, the Martins’ dogs enjoy life on the road, so the family would sometimes escape the construction by taking a long drive in their RV. “Just like we wanted to get out of the house, our dogs did, too, at times,” says Dr. Martin.
For our home, Julie and I opted to have construction done in three phases: the tiny house, then the home addition, and finally the new kitchen. This way, I was able to usher all five pets each morning into our tiny house in the backyard before the crew arrived. I made sure the tiny house had dog beds and cat window perches as well as fresh water, a litter box, and of course healthy treats and toys. I also kept the television on a smooth jazz channel or HGTV – two channels my pets are used to seeing and hearing with me.
Bonding Through the Renovation Rollercoaster
Bottom line: we survived, and so did our pets. And I think the renovation actually bonded us even closer. Got a pet-friendly project coming up at your ABC Home Renovations in Aberdeen, UK? We wish you much stress-free success.
When it comes to home renovations with pets, the key is to keep their routine as consistent as possible, provide them with a safe haven, and find ways to enrich their lives amidst the chaos. By employing a little creativity and some tried-and-true techniques, you and your furry companions can emerge from the renovation process stronger than ever.
So, roll up your sleeves, grab your tool belt, and get ready to embark on a renovation journey that will have tails wagging in delight. Your pets are counting on you to make their home as comfortable and welcoming as possible. With a little planning and a lot of love, you can turn your house into a true pet-friendly haven that will have your four-legged friends feeling right at home.
