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A pet-friendly home is not just a fun and
safe space for your pet, but also a space that can stand up to...the kinds
of things pets do to houses. Making pet-friendly choices in landscaping,
design, and the materials you use will ensure that both you and your pet
can enjoy your shared space together.
Opt for durable flooring
Even if your pet is perfectly well house-trained, they're bound to have an
accident or two. Choose a flooring material that's easy to clean and won't
be damaged by accidents. Linoleum cleans easily and is naturally
anti-microbial. Bamboo, cork, tile, and stone are also good picks. If you
want carpet, try a modular kind, made of separate carpet squares. Buy
back-up squares so if a section gets ruined, you can pop it out and replace
it. Avoid wood and laminate floors. Wood is easily scratched and damaged by
water and slippery laminate can cause injuries.
Choose pet-friendly materials and
décor
Opt for satin paint instead of flat paint on walls. A glossier finish won't
show stains as prominently and wipes clean. Chose low VOC (volatile organic
compounds) paints, especially if your pet bites or licks walls. Match the
colors of throw rugs, upholstery, and other décor to your pet's fur color
to give yourself a little more leeway in how frequently you'll be vacuuming
and de-furring the furniture. Set up a feeding area in a spot where you
won't be accidentally kicking over the water bowl. Find a nearby place to
store dog food, ideally in a sealed container, like a plastic bin or a
metal garbage can with a lid.
Protect furniture
Choose upholstered pieces covered in tough, easily-cleaned fabrics like
leather or ultrasuede. Consider washable slipcovers, throws to protect furniture,
or extra-durable fabric designed especially for pet owners. Keep pets from
chewing furniture by spraying with store-bought, anti-chewing spray or
applying a bit of cayenne pepper to their favorite biting spots. If you
need to keep a pet out of a particular area, put up baby gates and provide
the pet with plenty of sturdy toys for diversion. Set up a special bed or
blanket so your pet has a comfortable, cushiony place of his own.
Eliminate dangers around the house
Walk around your house and assess possible pet hazards. Move chemicals and
cleaning materials to high shelves or locked cabinets. Make sure trash cans
are safely secured so pets don't get into something that could be harmful
to them. (Many common household articles are toxic to pets including:
coffee grounds, onions, grapes, and even nutmeg.) Latch lower cabinets with
child locks if necessary and keep curtain and electrical cords out of pet
reach. Put screens in upper level windows and make sure they're intact and
securely attached. Keep toilet lids closed and avoid automatic bowl
cleaners. Wipe up spills in the driveway and garage immediately so pets
don't ingest poisons like antifreeze. Remove any indoor plants that are
toxic to pets. You can find a list of toxic and non-toxic plants on the
Humane Society's web site (www.humanesociety.org).
Consider a pet door
If you are frequently away from home, consider putting in a pet door. Pet
doors can be put in windows, doors, and walls. Smart models recognize your
pet electronically and will only open for them, not for other animals. The
doors can be controlled remotely and deactivated if you need the pet to
stay inside. If you're worried about the resale value of cutting a hole in
the wall, consider a model that's built into a glass sliding door. When you
sell, you can replace that part of the door with a regular slider.
Create a yard for pets and people to share
Find safe, pet-friendly materials for plants and hardscape. Put in some
mint or catnip for cats and a clover ground cover for dogs because it won't
yellow with urine. Outdoor cats like places to hide and things to climb and
will make good use of trees and bushy areas. Dogs instinctively patrol the
perimeter of the property and like running paths that follow the yard's
circumference. If your dog has already created a path, embrace it, covering
it with mulch and lining with attractive plantings. Make sure your fence is
in good condition with no secret ways out (including benches, large rocks,
or other items that can serve as pet launching pads). Consider putting in a
small eye-level panel in the fence so dog can peek out and keep a watch on
things. For safety, keep sharp tools put away, keep compost bins covered,
and avoid chemical like fertilizers and pesticides. Make sure plants are
non-toxic and avoid plants with thorns. And pets like a lot of the same
things humans like, so you'll both be pleased if your yard has a shady spot
to cool off and comfy places to sit
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