Tips for designing a pet-friendly house

When you decide to expand your family by bringing a pet into your home, you’re making a commitment. Just like in the case of a baby, you need to make several adjustments to your house to be sure that you’re bringing a pet into a friendly environment. Bear in mind some general rules that experts from Pet Place remind us about (e.g., that spayed and neutered animals are calmer, well-groomed ones are not shedding as much, or that if you spend time with your cat frequently, it won’t scratch your furniture as often), but make sure to introduce some very much needed changes before you decide to adopt.

Choose the right flooring

Smooth, bright, wooden floor, or a fluffy carpet may not be the best idea, especially if your pet is going to be a stay-at-home pet. Expensive, beautiful hardwood floors will get scratched, bright floors will be constantly dirty, and a carpet won’t ever be fresh and will collect gems. Of course, you can try training your pet not to enter certain rooms (and keep them closed at all times), but it would be easier to simply choose the right flooring to cover most space. The highly-recommended flooring for pet owners is linoleum, concrete, wood laminate, or ceramic tiles, as they are all extremely durable and easy to clean. You don’t want anything in bright colors, especially white, even on the walls – don’t be afraid to experiment and, who knows, maybe you will discover your personal and distinctive style. Plus, choose a wall paint that’s easy to wipe. If you really want a carpet in a specific room, make sure to select the color that will not make your pet’s hair very visible.

Remember about a designated area for a pet

We all need our privacy, and animals are no different. On the contrary, your pet will need its own territory to guard and protect, where it would be able to seek shelter whenever it feels like being alone. Observe your pet’s indoor behavior to be able to choose the best place for it. For example, a cat may want to have an opportunity to lay in the sunlight peacefully, so consider placing its bed next to a window. It probably shouldn’t be in a dining room or a living room, as pets always seek peace when you have some guests over.

Choose the right furniture

You may not allow your pet to sit on the couch, but it doesn’t mean the couch won’t be covered in hair. Even trained pets are not 100% obedient; besides, the hair will float around your house no matter what. So make sure not to choose a white couch if your dog is black, look for a stain-resistant and easy-to-clean upholstery, or a sofa with removable and washable cushions. Leather won’t attract fur, but it can easily get scratched. Many manufacturers label their furniture as pet-proof these days, so you may look for something designated to withstand the presence of a pet.

Avoid extravagant plants and fancy decorations

Minimalism is the best style to live in with a pet. Each attractive plant will be seen as a toy by your cat, and your priceless collection of porcelain plates may be damaged if your dog bumps into a shelf. Any expensive items have to be kept in closets or other enclosed or unavailable places. If you have some plants around the house, make sure that they are 100% safe for your pet if it suddenly decides to eat it, as there are some that may be unharmful to you, but poisonous to animals.

Make everything pet-proof

These are little, but necessary things to do around the house. If you have any carpets, make sure that they are slip-proof, so that your pet doesn’t lose control every time it comes running. Keep cables out of their reach and cover all electrical outlets. Find a place for all loose items that your pet can choke on (e.g., pencils, batteries, jewelry, paperclips, pins, needles, etc.) Use trash cans with pet-safe lids or hide them away from your pets. Be sure that all chemicals and other potentially dangerous products are unavailable for them (child-safety locks will work perfectly for pets as well). If you have stairs, you can think about covering it with a special carpet to enable your pets to go up and down without the risk of slipping.

Think about your pet

Whether it’s a dog, a cat, or something even smaller, any pet is a new member to your family, and it should be treated like one. Make sure that your new friend feels happy, safe, and comfortable at any time. It doesn’t mean only limitations for you – it will require some creativity on your part, but who knows what you will discover during the process!