Articles Tagged "Pets"

Your pets are a part of the family. Our real estate agents are well aware of that and, since September is National Happy Cat Month, we want to share with you some of the many ways you can make your home more comfortable for them. Make your home the purr-fect place for your feline friends by following these tips. 

1. Give Them Space
   If you provide a convenient space for your cat with fresh water and food close to the litter box, your cat is going to hate it. That may seem ungrateful, but there are actually good reasons for their reactions. First, their very sensitive noses can locate their litter box when it is quite far away. If it is too close to the food, the odor will overwhelm the scent of their dinner. They are also unhappy if the scent of their food overwhelms the scent of their water. They like to eat in quiet, out-of-the-way places. If this describes your kitchen, it may be a good kitty dining room, but if not, you may want to find a more appropriate location. 
   
   
2. Don't Forget Playtime
   Your first reaction may be that the entire house is a cat playground, and to a degree, you would be correct. But remember that cats love to climb, jump and look down from on high. Fortunately, cat trees come in all shapes and sizes that can fit in any size home, from a small condo to a mansion. Often covered with carpet, it can blend into the decor and serve double duty as cat scratch poles. 
   
   
3. Build a Cat Cave
   Cats love the safety and security of a confined space. Even big cats like lions and tigers will climb into any box they can and curl up in comfort. Some of the most popular cat toys are miniature houses and fabric retreats. They are also more than happy to curl up on your clean laundry, so why not give them a basket with a baby blanket? Whatever you choose, do keep in mind that cats can be like toddlers. No matter how much you spend on the toy, they may prefer to play in the box it came in!
   
   
4. Give the Cat a View
   Indoor cats are prone to sitting for hours staring out of the window. Whether they are watching the birds in the trees or just relaxing in the sun, a special cat should have a special space, much as you might enjoy a reading nook in a bay window. You can make it special with a well-placed shelf or even just a chair. Be sure the cat has easy access to the window itself by opening the drapes or blinds sufficiently. 
   
   
5. Keep the Litter Box Odor-Free
   Ammonia and cat feces carry foul odors that your cat hates even more than you do. Fortunately, modern technology has made the most despised chore facing cat owners a little easier to tackle. An expensive self-cleaning litter box is well worth the investment. Keep in mind that multi-cat homes require multiple litter boxes. 

If you think one of the exquisite Raleigh homes for sale might be a great new place for you and your cat, our real estate professionals would like to help you find it. Contact us today to get started.

If you feel your home isn't complete without a four-legged friend, you're not alone. Many homeowners have at least one pet. Whether you're thinking about getting your first pet or adding yet another to your pack, introducing a new pet requires some planning and finesse. Here are a few tips from our real estate agents for bringing a new fur-buddy into your home.

1. Get your home ready.
   Before your new four-legged friend comes home with you for the first time, make sure you have everything you need and that your home is ready for their arrival. Get all the pet supplies you need, such as food, bowls, a kennel or carrier for a larger pet or a cage if it's a small animal, and a collar and a leash if necessary. Also, be sure your home is ready to receive a new pet. Pet-proof and put anything away that could be hazardous for your new pet.
   
   
2. Make new introductions slowly.
   Keep introductions stress-free for your pet by slowly introducing them to other household members. For a dog, meeting on a leash in a neutral area, such as outside instead of in the house, can take some of the pressure off. A new cat may need to be kept confined to a single room for a few days while getting used to the new home.
   
   
3. Plan a quiet few days at home.
   The last thing you want is a lot of activity while you're letting a new pet adjust to unfamiliar surroundings, so keep introductions to just the immediate household for now. Remember, this is a new member of your household, so friends and family will have plenty of time to get to know them later on. For now, plan to spend a few days at home while they get to know you and their new home.
   
   
4. Establish routines.
   These first few days at home are a good time to start establishing routines with your new pet: when mealtimes are when bedtime is, and if it's a dog, walk schedules and outdoor routines.
   
   
5. Plan for the future.
   As you and your new pet settle in together, remember to plan for the future. For instance, if you plan to move soon, maybe you don't want to cut through that exterior wall to make a doggy door. House training is important at this point so that you keep your home in good shape, minimize repairs, and maintain the value for when you sell one day. Keep in mind things that you notice would be nice, such as a larger yard for your dog, so that you know what to look for when you start browsing Raleigh homes for sale.

Adding a pet to the family is exciting, but it may also remind you of the features you want in your next home, such as more space, a larger yard, and close proximity to parks or walking trails. If you're ready to start looking for a new home for you and your family, both two-legged and four-legged family members included, contact us today.