Painting with Pets: Keep Fido Safe during Painting

Painting projects are inherently messy. Even the best laid plans result in chaos and messes. While paints have come a long way to be eco-friendly and safe, they can still cause issues for your pets. Plus, there’s the fun potential of painted paw prints throughout your home. Keep your four-legged friends safe when painting with pets. Here’s how to keep Fido safe during painting.

Don’t Mix Paint and Pets

Locking your pets out of work areas is the best way to keep them safe. You don’t want fur on your newly painted walls anyway! The only 100% sure way to keep your pets safe and your walls safer is to secure gates or doors to separate the two. Make sure your pet can still get outside and to their creature comforts.

While working, it’s important to keep the area ventilated for your safety and comfort. When windows and doors are open, it’s really easy for your pets to make a break for it. By locking them out of the open room, you will have peace of mind that they are safely tucked into your home and not running the neighborhood.

Toddlers and pets act much the same when work is being done. This is likely a room they would have zero interest in on a normal day, but because there is work happening, they naturally want between you and the work. Keep curious pets, and toddlers for that matter, away from paint and supplies with baby gates. It will keep your brushes out of mouths and paws out of paint trays.

After your work is done, manufacturers and veterinarians agree that pets shouldn’t be allowed in the room for at least 24 hours and up to 48. You really want your walls to be really dry before you let your furry, licking fur-baby back into the room. This will prevent ingestion and paint in fur.

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your pet will get into a mess. If this happens, it’s imperative you keep an eye on your furry friend. Make sure symptoms like tremors or breathing and coordination problems develop. Vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea and unusual behaviors will warrant at least a call to your local pet care provider.

Be Prepared

Before you open the paint, make sure you are prepared with all of the information you’ll need should the worst happen. Have your veterinarian’s number and an all-hours pet emergency room as well. The ASPCA has an animal poison control line too. Make a list of ingredients on the paint can to quickly answer questions. If you end up in a predicament, don’t hesitate to seek out help. Time is of the essence with poison issues.

Do not proceed with any first aid until you’ve consulted a professional. You might need to induce vomiting, but it will be up to the animal care provider to give instructions. Depending on the ingredients and toxicity, fluids, oxygen or medications for stomach and kidney issues could be in order.

Clean As You Go

By cleaning as you go, you’ll reduce the chance your pet gets into a mess. Put cans, rollers, drop cloths, and anything else covered in paint away as soon as you’re finished with it. At least get it out of reach of your pet. This will give you two-fold comfort. Your pet cannot ingest it, and they cannot walk through it and cause a bigger mess.

Know Your Paints

While lead is long gone from paints today, there are other harmful chemicals. Acetone, fungicides, ammonia, formaldehyde, polyurethane and other harsh chemicals are normally used in paint manufacturing. Even low or no VOC paints can cause issues with pets. Since they are so much smaller than we are, even the smells can be enough to cause sickness.

Pet-Proof Your Walls

Keep the newly painted room pet free for at least 24 hours. When you are choosing your paint, pick a finish high in sheen. This will give you an ability to clean pet messes off the walls if they do occur. Try eggshell on walls and semi-gloss on your trim.

When, and it will happen, the messes happen. Clean them with a mixture of one liter of water and ¼ cup of white vinegar. Gently sponge the wall off. For tougher messes, try an eraser sponge. Keeping stains from setting on the walls will make sure your room is beautiful for years to come.

Ready to get started? Let our team come give you a free, in-home estimate to take care of the painting for you.