How to Paint Safely When You Have Pets

While homeowners want to make sure they choose a paint that fits their house, it's important to consider the safety and well-being of any pets in the home. With some safeguards – and a little help from 360° Painting – you can ensure your furry friends stay safe while you give your home a fresh coat of paint.

Is It Safe to Paint Around Pets?

With proper precautions, painting around pets can be safe. While many modern paints are less toxic than older formulations, choosing pet-friendly, low-VOC paints is still crucial, as well as ensuring good ventilation and keeping pets away from the painting area. With careful planning and the right approach, you can safely update your home's look without compromising your pets' well-being.

Let's explore some specific steps you can take to ensure a safe painting experience:

Consider the Smell of Paints

Our pets, especially our dogs, have keen senses of smell. You wouldn’t want to choose a paint that bothers your pet’s sniffer! Look for paint designated “pet safe” or low or no VOCs.

“VOCs” means “Volatile Organic Compounds” and are released into the air when you paint. VOCs can cause headaches and dizziness. A low or no VOC paint releases either few or no harmful chemicals into the air.

We suggest going withSherwin-Williams Harmony Interior Acrylic Latex because it is a zero-VOC formula with microbial elements that help kill odor-causing bacteria. This would be great for keeping your pup and your home happy.

Prevent Contact with Paint

The most important first step is to keep products out of reach. Accidental ingestion is the most dangerous part for your pet. In fact, it’s a good idea to just keep pets out of the room entirely. Let the interior painters at your local 360° Painting know you have pets.

They'll provide a timeline, allowing you to plan a way to keep your furry friends entertained and away from the painting area. Additionally, you can take other precautionary measures to ensure your pets' safety.

Keep the Room Ventilated

Proper ventilation during and after painting is good for the health of everyone in your home. Our painters understand the importance of this and will open windows or use fans to get fresh air into your home. Even after the room is painted, dried, and closed, the smell of paint may linger. Keep your pets out of the room for 24-48 hours after painting to ensure any remaining fumes dissipate.

When painting furniture or other items that can be moved outside, it's best to do so and allow them to dry completely before bringing them back in. Just another way to keep your pet safe while painting.

Monitor Your Pets During and After Painting

Understandably, your pets may be curious about the new smells and changes happening in their home. However, keeping a close eye on them during and after painting is important. Look out for unusual behaviors or symptoms, such as excessive sneezing, coughing, or lethargy.

If you notice anything unusual, consult your veterinarian for further guidance. It's always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to our beloved furry friends.

360° Painting Makes Home Painting Simple – Even with Pets

Let 360° Painting take the stress out of your interior painting project. Our expert crew guides you through every step, from color consultation to project scheduling. We'll help you choose the perfect pet-friendly paints and finishes, provide a clear timeline for the work, and coordinate with you to ensure your furry friends are safely out of the way during the painting process. You can relax knowing your home and your pets are in good hands!