Do you know what a pet-friendly home is, and how do you make one? We want our pets to feel secure and have all the love and support they need. Unfortunately, when buying a new property, many people don’t think about their furry companions, which might be a mistake.
When planning a home, you also need to consider your pet’s needs. For instance, how will you make your multistore home comfortable for your senior dog? Or are there any hazardous items that might harm your animal?
Keep reading to discover simple ways on how little planning can make your home a safe place for your furry companion.
Remove the clutter
Cats and dogs tend to be quite active; therefore, it’s necessary to reorganize the layout of your home, furniture included, to provide enough space for play. Don’t keep items like vases, showpieces, luxury items and glassware on table tops and other surfaces your pets can access.
Also, make sure that your wiring is concealed. This will ensure your home stays clean while your pets are discouraged from chewing the wires.
Provide paw-safe fabrics and flooring
It’s important to go with flooring and materials that are easy to maintain. When it comes to fabric, many choose a synthetic germ-and stain-resistant option, which is easy to clean.
On the other hand, remember that carpets and pets don’t go hand in hand. But, if you must include carpet in your home, get one that goes wall-to-wall and has a color that matches your pet to mask the hair.
If you own a lightweight dog, a proper urethane finish is a common and easy-to-clean choice. On the other hand, heavier pups require more resilient surfaces like ceramic tiles or other nonporous hard surfaces, ensuring you have a safe-proof home for your pets.
Remember that carpets and rugs tend to accumulate fur and dander over time, so if you can, avoid them altogether.
Take safety measures
Keep fertilizers, pesticides, medicines, and other toxic household items away from your pet. If you live in a building without a terrasse, install screens on windows so that your small pup or a cat can’t jump out.
Moreover, install a boundary wall or high fence around your garden, equipped with a proper outdoor lighting, to prevent an animal from leaving your place. Did you know that some flowers and plants can poison your pets? So, if you have some, make sure to eliminate them.
Clean your pet and your home regularly
You could groom your pet yourself and save $100 every time you visit a professional groomer. This will also help you spend less time cleaning your home. For example, if you regularly clip their nails, you will avoid scratch damage. Regular brushing will prevent hairs from flying all over the place.
You should brush your pet before and after washing to prevent drain clogging. Also, you should clean their teeth as well using dog toothpaste and brush.
Vacuum twice a week and clean your furniture regularly. There are specifically designed vacuum cleaners just for cleaning the furniture. They are so powerful that they will remove all the dirt, dandruff, and hair.
Don’t forget about tick and flea prevention because they are equally important. If your pet is infested, it can spread to the rest of the house, yard, bedding, and carpeting.
Set up a private zone
A small section of your home should be dedicated to feeding your cats and dogs. Set up a sleeping area for your pet with bedding and a couple of toys where they could relax and play all day. They need to have their own space where they will feel secure.
How to make a pet-friendly home for smaller animals?
Parents often buy fish and small pets for their kids as learning tools. However, those pets are even more sensitive than cats and dogs. For instance, a hamster can live up to three years, but it can hardly last for more than three months in many homes.
Hamsters
They are mostly active at night, so you want to buy a wheel that’s not squeaky. Your hamster will need two inches of bedding as well. This will encourage their normal burrowing behavior. You could use shredded paper or tissue.
Keep in mind that you will have to keep adult females in a cage by themselves because they tend to be hostile to one another.
Rabbits
They actually quickly adapt to boxes, while they like to hide in small and dark places. When you allow a rabbit to leave the cage, use cord protectors and cover all vents and ducts.
Birds
Cage placement is crucial. Keep the cage away from radiators and windows to protect birds from direct exposure to heat. You should know that many birds love to have a safe corner where they can retreat.
Conclusion
We gave you a couple of things to focus on while creating a pet-friendly home for your best friend. Hope you will find our tips and tricks useful and that they will save you a lot of time.
