Many pet owners will do almost anything for their furry family members. Like with young children, there are ways to make homes safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable for dogs, cats, and other pets. You don’t need a huge budget to achieve this. Any home can be transformed into a pet-friendly space with effort.

Here is how to create a pet-friendly home:

Scratch-Resistant Floors Over Carpet

Carpeted areas trap pet hair and absorb odors. If your pet has an accident on the carpet, getting out the smell could prove near-impossible. If you can, choose a scratch-resistant floor, such as tile, vinyl, or laminate. They’re much easier to clean.

Choose Pet-Safe Houseplants Only

Many houseplants are toxic to pets if ingested. Lilies, aloe, and philodendron are all toxic. However, Boston ferns, bamboo, and spider plants are not. Before purchasing any plant, research if it is safe for your pet.

Fill Your Home with Pet-Friendly Furniture

Stain-resistant fabrics should adorn your couches, chairs, and related furniture. Odors, stains, and pet hair in other fabrics will make for an unpleasant experience. Avoid velvets, silk, and tweed and use synthetic microfiber or leather materials.

Be Careful Where You Store Food

Food on a dirty plate or display should be safe for pets. However, many human foods, such as grapes, chocolate, raisins, nuts, and avocados, are toxic to dogs and cats. Ensure that food is safe before making it available to your pet. Visit a pet store to buy the best products for your companion.

Avoid All-Natural Woven Fabrics

As pretty as jute, sisal, and rattan are, many pets will go right for these and either sharpen their claws on them or try to bite into them. Any thickly woven all-natural materials you may end up seeing destroyed by your dog or cat if they’re left out unsupervised.

Set Up Your Pet’s Feeding Area

Have a consistent place where you feed your dog, cat, or other pet. Use easy-to-clean mats placed under food and water bowls. Ensure the water is always filled. If it’s a dog, that dog food is provided at specific times of day rather than always having it available. Also, pay attention to your meal rotation to create a balanced meal for your dog

Put a Lid on Your Trash Can

A curious dog or cat sniffing around the house may eventually get into the trash. Put a lid on it so you don’t wake up to Kleenex, old food, and garbage on your floor. Ideally, store your trash can in a closed-off pantry or cabinet.

Move Medications to a Safe Place

If you have any vitamins, supplements, or medicines you take, many of these substances are deadly to animals if consumed. Be sure to place them on a high shelf.

Install Screens on Windows

Cats, dogs, and other pets love to sit in windows and watch the outside world go by. Ensure you have a secure screen on your window to prevent a cat, dog, or pet from accidentally falling out.

Provide Your Pet Their Own Space

A cat or dog needs space to relax, with a bed and blanket, in a private area. The area does not need to be elaborate, but a designated area can be helpful to truly make your pet feel at home, especially if it’s shy. Plus, when you work at home with a puppy, this area helps you set physical boundaries.

Create a Play Area with Toys

Your pet wants to relax, but it also wants to play. Create an area with their favourite toys to play with and entertain themselves. This should be a zone rife with toy storage and covered in durable mats or rugs to protect the floors.

Store Pet Food Safely in an Airtight Container

Dog or cat food can spoil if exposed to moisture and time. It’s also not uncommon for a dog to search for its food. Unsecured dog food out in the open is bound to be found. Store pet food in an airtight container where your pet cannot sniff it.

Keep Cords and Wires Out of Reach

If they see one around, young cats and dogs will at least consider going after a cable, cord, or wire. This could mean chewed-through earbuds, broken HDMI cables, and mangled smartphone charging cables. Keep these items out of reach of any pet. For wires and cables that have to remain where they are, secure them along the wall or floor using cord covers and concealers.

Be Ready to Clean Accidents and Messes

When caring for a pet, you will want to use many removable fabrics that are easy to remove and wash. Accidents happen, too, so be ready with stain, odour, and pet-safe cleaning supplies to take care of anything that may happen easily.


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