We all love our furry companions and they love us back unconditionally. A lot of time and effort goes into raising a happy pet. A happy pet requires a pet-friendly home. If your pet is happy, your pet-keeping experience will be extremely satisfying.
You need to ensure that your home is comfortable and safe for your furry companion. Often, many things that don’t pose a threat to us might turn out to be unsafe for your pet. Also, you need to make certain changes in your home so that cleaning is much simpler.
The following section will share some tips to make your home pet friendly.
1. Avoid light colors
You are asking for trouble if you use light-colored upholstery like pillow covers, curtains, or any such fabric. Dirt and fur show up easily on light-colored fabrics. Go for darker shades or you’ll be washing your upholstery every day! You can also opt for faux leather on furniture. They are easy to clean and do not absorb smells.
2. Avoid using rugs and carpets
Having hardwood or textured tile floors are best. They are waterproof and scratchproof, easy to clean, and do not pick up smells. Rugs and carpets trap smells, pet hair, and germs. It is difficult to clean them regularly. Moreover, rugs and carpets are not good for your pets.
3. Keep breakable and hazardous items out of reach
Your furry companion likes to play with almost anything. Your cat is bound to knock that costly vase over. Your dog can’t help but chew that expensive handbag. Keep all expensive, fragile, and toxic items out of reach or locked up if you don’t want your pet and pet-keeping experience to suffer.
4. Get lidded trashcans
Dogs and cats love your trashcan. The rotting food in there smells divinely to them. They just cannot help but investigate your trash. So, get trashcans with a secure lid. Else be prepared to find your trash scattered everywhere and your pet smelling like yesterday’s fish.
5. Follow a regular cleaning schedule
All furry pets shed hair and pet dander. Over time, this could make your home extremely unhealthy. Such an atmosphere could aggravate allergies and open doors to diseases. Follow a regular cleaning regimen. The best spin mop can easily pick up pet hair and dander. What’s more, they are quick and easy to use.
6. Keep pet-friendly plants
Many common ornamental plants such as Caladium (elephant ears), Asparagus Fern, Devil’s Ivy, etc. are harmful to both cats and dogs. If ingested it could be dangerous and even fatal. Choose pet-friendly plants such as Areca palm, Spider plants, and Parlor palm, etc.
7. Avoid open electrical wires and fittings
Your furry cannot help but explore every part of your house. A wire or a colorful electrical fitting is enticing to it. Ensure that all your wires and fittings are covered and tamper-proof. You can get cable protectors to prevent your pet from chewing on it.
8. Have pet-free areas and hair traps
You can install blockades in places where you don’t want your pet to go. Also, you can have areas filled with your pet’s toys so that it doesn’t stray into areas where it is not supposed to go. These areas can have rugs to trap fur. You will effectively confine your pet to safe zones in your house this way.
9. Protect your windows with screens
This is essential if you have a cat at home. Many indoor cats end up in a sticky mess they fall from high-rise buildings. To keep your curious cat safe, install screens in your windows.
10. Install perches and scratch posts for your feline companions
Cats love perching in high areas. You can install perches made especially for cats in your house. Your cat will be happy and secure. To avoid them scratching your costly furniture, install a scratching post. This will keep you and your feline happy.
11. Train and socialize your pet
Basic training is essential for a superb pet-keeping experience. A well-behaved pet will make you and your neighbors happy. Socialization is of utmost importance with dogs. This will help it “behave” in a crowd or when visitors come and minimize excessive barking (a nuisance to you and your neighbors).
Parting thoughts
A happy pet is a pleasure to keep. The suggestions given in the above section will go a long way to keep you and your pet happy. It is also necessary to realize that your pet needs some quality time with you. A bored pet will tend to become extremely grumpy and destructive. This will negate all the considerations you’ve taken to keep a pet-friendly home.
