| We Americans LOVE our Pets. Dogs, Cats, | | | | have serious problems. Often the odors will not |
| Bunnies, Monkeys, Rats...you name it. We let them | | | | be removed with a simple steam cleaning. In most |
| sleep in our beds and eat in our kitchens. We buy | | | | cases, I recommend that the carpet be replaced. |
| and cook them special foods. We dress them up | | | | But homeowners with serious damage find that |
| and treat them like the members of the family | | | | they are not only replacing the carpet, the |
| that they are. But have you ever considered the | | | | padding and sometimes even the sub-flooring |
| damage pets can do to your most important | | | | needs to be removed to eliminate the smell. |
| investment, your home? | | | | It is possible to have your beloved pet and to |
| As a real estate agent working in Minnesota, I | | | | protect your home. |
| have seen some strange pets inside of some | | | | Keep your pet well groomed to reduce odor, hair |
| homes...everything from pot-bellied pigs to | | | | and nail damage. |
| monkeys and bunnies with the run of the house. | | | | Get a pet bed for your dogs and cats. (Several |
| Oh, yeah and then there are the people who | | | | are available at Our dog loves the extra comfort |
| have dogs and cats too. Many homeowners take | | | | and it keeps dirt and sweat from his coat from |
| great measures to protected their homes and | | | | going into the carpet fibers. We will move his |
| property but some do not. | | | | from room to room during the day so he can |
| I have walked into vacant homes and had | | | | stay with us. If this is too much trouble, buy |
| potential buyers pick out the exact location of | | | | several. They are considerably cheaper than |
| where the previous owner had the litter box. I | | | | replacing carpet. Our cat uses his bed daily too. It |
| have seen puppy's teeth marks on the sides of | | | | is positioned for his easy access in front of his |
| oak cupboards and cedar decking and claw marks | | | | favorite window so he doesn't jump and leave |
| on wood floors. I have walked through | | | | marks on the woodwork. |
| extensively landscaped yards destroyed by holes | | | | Have a proper sized kennel or cage for exotic |
| dug by chained dogs. I have witnessed a family | | | | pets and clean often. |
| whose cat jumps up and hangs on screens to | | | | Clear all accidents immediately. Use special pet |
| notify their owner that they want to come inside. | | | | cleaners to remove odors and stains. |
| And then there was the family that let the horse | | | | Cover all exposed woodwork especially around |
| wander in the front yard and let the bunny have | | | | windows. Pets love to jump up and look out |
| the entire house to roam...you can just imagine | | | | windows. Use gates to limit your pet's access to |
| the damage left behind on that one. | | | | soft wood floors like birch or cherry wood. Nail |
| While amusing to read about, pets can be hard on | | | | marks require the floor to be completely sanded |
| your home. When you go to sell, you could have | | | | down before refinishing. It can get very costly. |
| to make extensive repairs or discount your selling | | | | Don't chain your dog to the side of your house. |
| price to reflect the condition. | | | | Chains and bolts can cause both cosmetic and |
| The smells are the worst. People who keep pets | | | | structural damage to your home. |
| in carpeted rooms even in cages or kennels can | | | | Copyright 2006 Teri Eckholm. |