Useful tips for creating a pet-friendly home so that you and your four-legged companions can live happily together.
While your pets may be a part of the family, they may not have crossed your mind when you were decorating your home interior. From flooring to decorations, your pets should be one of the largest considerations when decorating your home, to save yourself many hassles and to keep your furry friends happy. Here are a few pointers on how to make sure your home is fit for pets.
A dog’s life
Consider your pet’s habits. Do they like to be outside a lot? Do they like to play in a certain area of the house? This will help you figure out which areas of the home need to be pet-proofed the most. For example, for pets that go in and out through the front door often, you could create an area with a mat near the entrance where they can get the dirt off, before coming inside. You could even put your pet’s bed near the door if they like to be alert and able to run outside quickly.
Floors and paws
Expensive rugs or carpets are a big no-no when you have pets in the home. The chances of these getting ruined by a pet are very high. Whether it’s bunches of fur, stains or damage from paws and claws, pets can wreak havoc on carpets and rugs. Stick to cheaper rugs in strategic places in the home, and remember that they could be soiled and need replacement relatively often.
When it comes to floors - don’t carpet your entire home. Use carpet in small areas of the house if need be, such as the bedrooms. Carpets will collect fur and can be damaged easily, and replacing the carpet for an entire room is a costly business. Hard floors are a more practical idea, they’re easy to clean, stain resistant and can be replaced in sections. Laminate flooring or tiles are advisable for easy upkeep. Hardwood floors are not the best choice as they can be easily scratched and will stain easily.
Creature comforts
Loose objects on side tables are a no-go for a pet-friendly home. These can be knocked over by wagging tails or pouncing cats. Rather put things out of reach of your pets, for example hang objects on the walls or put them in cabinets instead. Avoid furniture or other décor with sharp edges - pets can be clumsy and often bump into things while they’re scampering around. The last thing you’d want is for your furry friend to injure themselves or break something expensive of yours.
Make sure that your upholstery is a similar colour to your pet, this will make pet fur less visible. For example, white couches and a black cat don’t work well together, so for darker pets it’s best to keep upholstery dark. Bear in mind that certain materials, such as velvet, will attract hair and be harder to clean. Instead, your upholstery should be stain resistant fabric that does not attract fur. Leather is one option, as any extra marks will give it character and it’s easy to clean. Couches and chairs with exposed legs are also a good idea, rather than ones with fabric skirts, as they’re easier to clean and cause less hassle with pets.
When it comes to the walls, semi-gloss wall paint is your best bet. Dirt and smudges can be wiped off in a jiffy. As your furry friends run or jump around your home, it’s inevitable that they will brush against the walls, so this is a great way to keep your walls free of dirt and grime.
For your bedrooms, make sure to use mattress pads on your beds, along with linen that is easy to wash. No matter how many times you tell your four-legged friends to stay off the bed, they probably won’t. A great way to ensure that your beds stay clean is to be prepared with linen and mattress pads that can withstand frequent washing, and a little wear and tear.
Furball free
Having a pet is a messy business so vacuum regularly and bath your pet often. This will get rid of excess fur and keep your house and your pet as clean as possible.
Find a spot for your pet’s bed that is tucked away in a corner, so that they have their own area to relax in and so that their mess can be confined to that area.
Giving pets specific toys is a great way to keep them entertained, and away from playing with anything else that’s not meant for them. However, give your pet toys that are tidy and won’t create a mess in your home, such as chew toys that disintegrate. This will save you the hassle of cleaning up after playtime.
These tips should save you a few headaches and make your home a cohesive environment for pets and people. Creating a pet-friendly home is the perfect way to keep both you and your pets living happily ever after.