4 Tips For Making Your Home More Pet-Friendly

Pets add a lot of love and fun to a home, but they can also add a touch of mischief and the occasional mess. Fortunately, a little planning goes a long way when it comes to limiting the messes and creating a more pet-friendly home. Whether you’re designing a new home or getting ready to bring a friend into your existing space, here are some ways to make sure you and your pet are comfortable.

Focus On Flooring

Pets can be hard on floors. Vinyl flooring, such as those offered by JDC Flooring Pty Ltd, is best for pets as it resists scratches and is easy to clean. Whether you’re sweeping up pet hair or mopping a housebreaking accident, vinyl makes it easy to get rid of the mess without any lasting stains. If you absolutely must have wall-to-wall carpet, it’s best to install a shade that closely matches your pet’s fur color to hide shedding.

Rethink Your Plants

House plants add charm and greenery to indoor spaces, but many are toxic to pets. Lilies, for example, can cause kidney failure in cats. Other potentially dangerous plant varieties for pets include chrysanthemums, aloe and poinsettias. Remember to check your lawn and garden as well as your houseplants. The ASPCA maintains a list of plants that are toxic to dogs, cats and horses to help you choose safe plants indoors and out.

Make Wise Decor Decisions

When furnishing your home, be sure to keep your pets in mind. Your critters may expose your furniture to everything from pet hair to vomit to hairballs. Choose fabrics that are easy to wipe clean and that don’t stain easily. Synthetic options like suede and microfiber are best. You can also bring hardy outdoor fabrics inside. Always say yes when offered Scotchgard or other treatments that help prevent staining on furniture.

Get Down

You may feel a little silly doing it, but the best way to ensure your home is pet-friendly is to get down on all fours and crawl around. This gives you a similar view to your pet and can show you a lot. Look for potential hazards like power cords, mini-blind cords and hanging tablecloths a pet could tug on. Keep an eye out for cupboards that open easily and items that serve as ladders that could allow a pet to reach counters and other high places. These places could present a fall hazard and may allow your pet access to medications or unsafe foods.

These four tips will help keep your pet safe and your home clean while you’re living with an animal friend. Remember that keeping your pet clean and healthy will also help keep your home cleaner. With the right materials for easy cleaning and a keen eye to look out for potential hazards, you’ll have everything you need to create a pet-friendly space.