Most Downers Grove renters know what a big responsibility it is to keep a pet in a rental house. Aside from keeping your pet safe and healthy, you must also make sure that your rental home is protected from damages your pet may cause. One fast way that a renter can lose his security deposit is through pet damage. Even when your landlord allows you to keep a pet, they still expect you to return the property in good condition when you move out. You need to minimize pet damage if you want to get your security deposit back while owning a pet. Here are some ideas so you can keep your beloved animal from causing lasting damage to your rental home.
Keep Claws Busy
Scratching is a natural habit for cats and some other household pets. To protect your rental house, you will need to keep scratching behaviors away from the floors and walls. Cats will need to have scratching pads and posts. An inexpensive one works as well as a fancy one in preventing them from scratching on other surfaces. Reinforce your cat’s use of the scratching pad or post with pheromone sprays or wipes.
Keep Boredom at Bay
Boredom is one of the most common reasons a dog will bite or chew on walls, doors, and other household surfaces. Give your dog more playtime and exercise if you see him chewing on everything. Regular exercise is a great way for dogs to expend their extra energy and reduce the amount of chewing he does. Mental stimulation is just as important. A smart dog will appreciate it when you teach him tricks to keep him occupied.
Proper Potty Training
Housebreaking a dog is also a very important part of protecting your rental home from lasting damage. The urine of both cats and dogs is very destructive and can damage walls, floors, and other things. If possible, allow your dog to have access to a yard during the day. Give your cats litter boxes and clean the litter every day as well. If there are still spots and accidents in your house, you might want to bring your pet to a veterinarian. There are certain physical conditions that may cause your pet to have less control over their bodily functions. Many of these can be corrected with treatment. As soon as you find a potty mess in the house, use a good enzymatic cleaner to clean it up. Cleaners like this will not only eliminate odors but will also discourage your pet from using the same area when he needs to go again.
Manage Anxiety
Some pets feel very anxious when they are left at home alone. Dogs may become agitated and may bark, jump, or chew on blinds, doors, and even carpet. If you have to leave your pet home alone for several hours every day, you have to train him to reduce or eliminate these behaviors. Establishing a routine helps manage separation anxiety. This means going through the same motions in the same order when you leave. Also, do not make leaving or coming back a big deal. Also, wait until your dog has calmed down before giving any affection. This will reinforce the behavior and you will notice a reduction in the intensity of his excitement the next time he meets you at the door.
With these strategies, you can prevent damage to your rental house and get your full security deposit back. At the same time, you will also have a happy and healthy pet.
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