Owning a pet comes with a lot of responsibilities, yet they can be something that will bring joy to your life. And since it’s a life-changing step, there are things you should do before having one. Whether you’re planning to take care of dogs, snakes, or other pets, you should be prepared, not just mentally, but including your home.
Besides, since pets are usually treated as family members, it makes sense that your house is ready to accommodate their needs. If you want a more visualised pet-friendly home, you can check online or try display homes that are specialised in pet-friendly houses.
Meanwhile, in this article, we’ll discuss some tips on how can you design a pet-friendly home.
1. Long-lasting Flooring
Some pets, including cats and dogs, are so playful that they can scratch or damage certain floor materials. So before adopting or getting pets, you should reinforce your flooring to minimise damage.
If you have enough budget to redo your flooring, materials such as tiles, vinyl, and laminate can survive daily scratches and stains. In addition, these are easy-to-clean materials, so the daily clean-up is still manageable.
At the same time, if you’re looking for other options, you can ask your home builders or people you know who also have pets.
2. Durable Fabrics
Aside from the flooring, another thing you should adjust is the fabrics you’re using, especially on furniture. Choose those that are resistant to dirt and stains, so that cleaning your place can be as easy as possible.
Although soft fabrics are nice to touch, most pets like them too, so try to find pet-friendly ones like leather, denim, faux leather, and microfiber. If some of your furniture is prone to scratches, use these recommended fabrics to cover them.
3. Designated Pet Corner
Creating a designated pet space can give your pet a sense of home, where they can be comfortable. You can choose a corner of your house that’s not too busy, and arrange it in a way that your pet can feel cosy.
For instance, you can add a bed (according to their size), mats, and some toys they can play with. Having a designated corner for your pet prevents them from roaming around the house all day.
4. Secured Outdoor Space
If you have enough space outdoors, you should allow your pet to go outside. However, if your yard doesn’t have a secured fence and your pet can escape, you can either fix it first or make sure they won’t go outside.
Besides, even if you don’t have enough outdoor space for your pet, you can still take them outside whenever you have free time.
Meanwhile, if you already have a pet, and you’re looking at display homes, consider moving into a house with ample outdoor spaces that are also pet-friendly.
5. Access to Water and Food
Aside from a designated area where your pet can stay or play, you should also include an area where they have access to food and water. Monitor their food and water intake, but make sure to replace and clean the containers once in a while to prevent contamination.
When choosing a place to put your pet’s food and water, make sure they’re far from electric wires and outlets to avoid any accidents.
6. Pet-friendly Storage Solutions
Utilising safe storage solutions is another way to keep your house pet-friendly. Ensure the cabinets and shelves are high enough to keep them out of your pet’s reach. Meanwhile, if you have cabinets near the flour, make sure the locks are secured.
Aside from cabinets and shelves, your trash bins should always be covered. Even if your pet doesn’t normally look for trash, you might be surprised one day that your trash is all over the place.
7. Safe Decorations
Of course, your home needs to have decorations. However, when looking for the ideal pet-friendly decor, you should opt for non-fragile, and those that aren’t easily moved. If you’re looking for a pet-friendly decor, try looking at the labels that say safe for pets and kids.
Aside from decorations, keep hazardous things like cords, vases, and keys where your pets can’t reach them to avoid any accidents.
8. Regular Cleaning Routine
None of your home decorations will matter if you don’t regularly clean your house. From removing the pet hair, vacuuming the dust, and cleaning the air, you should have enough time to set a routine where you can clean after your pet.
Unfortunately, if you fail to keep your house clean, everyone living in your house might get sick in the long run.
We hope this article helps you pick up some tips on how to design and maintain a pet-friendly house. If you want to add more to this list, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aliana Baraquio writes for Worthington Homes, the new Home Builder in Sydney NSW who makes major life milestones happen and stays with you through thick and thin. You can also find her trying out new recipes for barbeque and other grilled meals in her free time.