How to Pet-Proof Your Phones, Laptops, and Other Electronics.

Here are a few easy ways to keep your favourite tech safe from pets, including phones, tablets, TVs, desktops, and accessories.

My computer had a bad month last month. My recently adopted dog’s fur had clogged the Power Supply Unit (PSU) vents in my CPU, resulting in a completely fried machine that wouldn’t boot one fine day. While I cleaned my CPU on a regular basis, I had no idea that the hair shedding would necessitate more frequent cleaning.

I realised things needed to change around the house as I bought a new PSU unit and began disassembling my project to replace the part. Not just for the PC I was restoring, but for anything else I had sitting around in the way of technology. Of course, the best way to pet-proof your gear and keep it secure from your furry friends is to use correct pet-proofing techniques.

But for those who are still on their way, as well as those who are brand new to pets or have recently brought home a pandemic pet, there are a few things you can do to guarantee your pet doesn’t ruin your valuable electronics.

• Consoles and desktop computers

The best method to keep a desktop safe is to set it at a comfortable height. If your set-up is on a table far away from the pet’s reach, he or she is unlikely to notice. However, two critical factors must be addressed: cable management and fur accumulation.

To keep your cables as tidy as possible, use zip ties, sleeves, and duct tape. Cable sleeves, for example, are inexpensive additions that protect and organise your cables. There are plenty of ideas and inspiration on the internet for how to efficiently manage your cables based on your arrangement.

Cleaning your components on a regular basis is the best way to keep them free of hair. While your display, mouse, and speakers can all be cleaned with a clean, dry towel, your CPU and keyboard may require special care. To keep your cables as tidy as possible, use zip ties, sleeves, and duct tape. Cable sleeves, for example, are inexpensive additions that protect and organise your cables. There is a wealth of information and inspiration available on the internet.

When not in use, keep your keyboard covered to prevent fur from accumulating. If you have a mechanical keyboard with changeable keycaps, clean it frequently by removing all the keycaps and wiping it down.

When the CPU is not in use, cover it and clean it once every several days. Open your cabinet once a week to check for any accumulation on the mesh and dust filters around the air intakes. You could even try relocating your CPU or your entire system so that fur does not collect around it. But keep in mind that blocking the air intake will have no effect on the cooling of your system.

Remember that it is a cooling failure caused by the accumulation of fur in crucial regions that is damaging to your CPU and its components, not the fur itself.

• Tablets and smartphones

We rely on our smartphones and tablets heavily, so keeping them safe should be a top priority. If you have a dog or a cat, you don’t want their keen claws to test the device’s Gorilla Glass capabilities. Invest in a screen protector or tempered glass to protect your phone’s display.

It’s also a good idea to invest in a nice robust case, at least for the first few months, when pets are notoriously misbehaving. A jumping cat or a sprinting dog may cause phones and tablets to fall from a table. Your companion, on the other hand, may jump on you while you’re utilising these equipment, causing you to fall. If a cover isn’t available, you can get a sleeve for your tablet.

Consider obtaining some affordable dust plugs to cover your phone/exposed tablet’s ports if you have a fur problem (which you will in most circumstances). On Amazon India, you can get plugs for both USB-C and 3.5mm headphone ports for less than Rs 500. These could end up saving you a lot of money in the long run.

Above all, make it a practise to store your phones and tablets in inaccessible locations. Ensure that your charging adapters are mounted high enough on the wall and that cables are not left dangling when not in use.

• Laptops

Get a foam sleeve for your laptop and keep it secure inside when not in use if you haven’t already. When using your laptop, try to keep it on a desk rather than your bean bag, where interference is more likely. If your pet is close, keep liquids and beverages away from your machine.

Train your pet to realise that you don’t want to be disturbed when you’re working. Believe me when I say that your pet is smarter than you believe and might rapidly pick this up. When you’re at work, ask other family members to spend time with the pet, and if you live alone, offer them some toys to play with while you’re gone.

• Headphones, earbuds, and other accessories

Don’t forget to safeguard your audio equipment, wearables, and other minor accessories. This can be accomplished by keeping them out of sight and, if necessary, cleaning them on a regular basis. Small pieces, such as TWS earphones or replaceable silicon tips, should be avoided because your pet may ingest them. If this occurs, contact your veterinarian right away.

You can also buy or construct a tech organiser for yourself. A tiny bag with neat spaces for all of your little electronics. This will protect everything from a bored and inquisitive pet. It will make it simpler for you to locate items.