Home construction and remodeling is tough on everyone, and it can be plain dangerous for your pets. With a few key decisions you can minimize the anxiety and risks to your pet from home construction projects.

Your dog would probably prefer to 1) be with you and 2) follow his familiar routines in 3) familiar territory. Familiar territory will change, so the better you can do with following existing feeding, grooming and exercise routines, and giving your dog the attention he’s used to, the happier he will be.

Give your dog a refuge of his own, and stock it with his bed, his food and water dishes and his favorite toys. Avoid placing him near a large window, or near a wall he might jump over, since your dog may panic and hurt himself while trying to escape normal construction noises.


Keep in mind that construction sites often present new hazards to your pet even when your construction crews are absent. It is best to keep your dog away from the work spaces entirely. If you can’t do this, make sure to sweep up possibly toxic construction dust and other materials, and cover any open electrical cable. For everyone’s health you might ask your construction crew if/when they will be sanding old, lead-based paint, or working with other toxic materials that will spread as dust or vapor (paints, glues and sealants can all give off potent chemicals).

Come to think of it, how about boarding the dog AND you while the project is going on?