Paws and power tools: Tips to help minimize stress during renovations
Renovating your home can be exciting but also stressful for both you and your four four-legged family members. However, with a little planning and some pet friendly strategies, you can keep your dog or cat safe, comfortable, and calm throughout the process. Here are some practical tips to guide your next renovation:
Minimize stress with a safe retreat
Construction noise, unfamiliar workers, and shifting furniture can leave pets feeling anxious. Set up a quiet “renovation refuge” in a low traffic area, ideally a spare bedroom or den where your pet has access to their bed, water, toys, and a few chews. It’s also important to try and keep their daily routine consistent to help maintain a sense of security.
Protect indoor air quality
Dust, chemical odours, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from paints, stains, and adhesives can irritate sensitive lungs. Opt for low or zero VOC paints, sealants, and finishes labeled “pet safe” or “non-toxic.” Seal work areas off with plastic sheeting and use HEPA filter air purifiers to capture airborne particles. If possible, schedule heavy sanding or painting when your companion animals can stay with a friend or at daycare to minimize exposure.
Crate training as a comfort zone
A well introduced crate can become your furry friend’s personal den during chaotic renovation days. Begin crate training well before the work begins. Feed meals in the crate, leave the door open with beloved toys inside, and gradually increase “crate time” paired with positive reinforcement. During noisy or disruptive phases, a calm, crate trained dog or cat will often choose to rest in their familiar, secure space.
Read Crate Training Tips for more information.
Choose durable, pet friendly materials
While not strictly about stress or safety, selecting scratch and stain resistant flooring (like tile or vinyl plank) and washable wall finishes will protect your investment and make cleanup easier once construction wraps up. Slip resistant surfaces help prevent injuries, and rounded corners on new cabinetry can reduce bumps and bruises during excited play.
By anticipating your pet’s needs and building in safe havens, you’ll keep tails wagging and purrs rumbling through every hammer strike and coat of paint. A thoughtful, pet-centric approach ensures that your renovation enhances rather than disrupts your home’s harmony for every member of the family.
If this information was helpful, please help us continue to educate about pet health and well-being by making a donation. As a registered charity that does not receive annual government funding, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society depends on the generosity of donors to change the lives of animals in need.
