Tips for Making Your Home More Pet Friendly
Posted on: 2020-08-15
Having pets brings so much joy to the people who own them.
Most individuals also find joy in the aesthetic value of their homes.
Oftentimes, it can be hard to find a workable balance between the two. Pets are animals with instincts that lead them to potentially cause damage to a home.
Cats scratch and dogs chew. That’s just their nature.
This doesn’t mean you have to accept a damaged home in order to accommodate your fur children. There are ways you can reinforce the interior of your home and continue to live in harmony with your pets.
Here are some ways you can make your home more pet friendly:
Upgrade Your Flooring
If you have ever witnessed your cat running through your home, you’ve likely noticed the scratching sound their claws make as they zoom across the floor. Same goes for excited dogs who hear their favorite word: “Walk!”
The rule of flooring when it comes to pets is the harder the better.
Materials such as tile are a good scratch-proof choice for your home to avoid damage caused by excited and energetic pets.
Wood flooring is a good choice as well, especially maple, oak, cherry and elm.
You’ll also want to stay away from carpet, since it is a breeding ground for bacteria and hair. Pets are not perfect when it comes to toileting – plus the trapped air can easily aggravate allergies.
Invest in Pet Friendly Furniture
While most pets are generally clean animals, rodents and rabbits are not usually litter trained. Most will urinate as they move around your space and furniture (this is a typical marking behavior).
Even cats and dogs are not above tracking dirt around.
For these reasons, stain-resistant fabrics for upholstered or slipcovered furniture is the way to go, since pet stains and smells can seep deep into fabrics.
Otherwise, the main concern is the collection of pet hair and dander.
To avoid having fur and dander accumulate on your furniture, consider avoiding fabrics such as velvet or tweed and opt instead for synthetic microfiber and leather. These materials are easy to clean.
Install Screens in Your Windows
You find yourself resisting the urge to open your windows during beautiful weather in fear that your cat may take a plunge in order to experience the outside world.
This can be both dangerous and stressful.
Be sure that, before you open windows, they are fitted with screens. This will keep your cat from falling or simply escaping from your home.
If you’re worried about your cat shredding the screen, you can always use the water-bottle method to deter this behavior, trim your cat’s nails regularly or give them a scratching post to destroy instead.
Give Your Dog a Mud Room
Just as humans make use of an area near the entryway to ditch coats and keys, dogs can benefit from having their own area to tidy up before entering your home.
You may want to consider renovating the area around your entryway to accommodate your pup. It’s a great place to wipe off dirt before it’s tracked through your home.
Consider using tile in this area since it is easy to clean and install storage to house leashes, poop bags and towels for a quick clean-up.
Cats may not be as receptive to a wipe down when they come inside.
Use Your Pet as Design Inspiration
When choosing colors for any room in your home, think about the color of your pet.
This may sound a bit odd, but if you match your flooring coverings and furniture to your pet, the hair they leave behind won’t be as noticeable.
A honey-colored couch matches nicely with a golden retriever while darker tones may be more appropriate for your black cat.
Otherwise, you’re going to notice the patches of fur left behind from your lounging animals as well as the tumbleweeds of hair rolling around your floor.
Make Sure Your Trash Can Has a Lid
Although dogs are notorious for rooting through the trash, cats are also just as guilty trying to sneak out a tidbit or two.
And neither breed does so with any sense of tidiness.
Unless you want the contents of your garbage bin strewn about the floor, you will want to make sure it has a lid.
Just be weary that shorter trash cans can still be rifled through if your pet can figure out how to push open the lid. To avoid all garbage-related messes, invest in a taller can with a securable lid.
Happy Human, Happy Pet, Happy Home
You can’t blame your pet for doing what is in their nature, but you don’t have to live in a disaster area in order to enjoy their presence and company.
Taking certain steps, especially those listed above, will ensure that your home remains pet-friendly.
If you’re looking to create a special space for your beloved pet, or looking to upgrade your home in general, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at Parabola Developments.
Call us today to find out more about our services and payment plans!
