When you’re planning your dream home, there is a lot to consider. While you’re planning or designing areas of your house for family members and your convenience, don’t forget about your family members who walk on four legs. Your furry friends are just as big a part of the family as anyone, and they deserve to have a space that they can navigate and enjoy as well.
Whether you have a cat, dog, bird, or reptile, your pet has its own set of requirements for happy living conditions. Think through their lifestyle habits and requirements and cater to those as much as you can. You can help them avoid mischief while keeping your surfaces clean and fresh for longer. At the end of the day, most pet-owners love going above and beyond to make sure their furry family members and happy. So follow these simple tips to be sure your home is the most pet-friendly, practical, and fun environment.
Think through your pet’s lifestyle.
Different animals have different habits. Your furry friends are going to shed and can sometimes leave behind lingering smells, so prepare for it. Consider matching your carpets or rugs to their fur or invest in furniture that is animal friendly and doesn’t trap odors. For this same reason, you may want to invest in more hardwood flooring than wall-to-wall carpet.
For cats, they love scratching and climbing. So, create space for them to do just that, whether it’s a scratching post or a full cat tree. Your animals have natural instincts, and it will save you a headache in the long run when you consider those special needs upfront.
Don’t just focus on the inside.
When you purchase a home, you want to go for a big lawn with lots of running space for your four-legged friends. So in making your home pet-friendly, you don’t just want to focus on the inside, but make sure your outside is also pet-friendly. What are you doing to make walks and playtime outdoors a fun experience? Maybe consider investing in a new harness or extra toys. Online dog harness stores can send you quality harnesses and leashes for your pup that come in unique designs. So when creating a pet-friendly home, be sure you have the accessories to go with it.
Know how to handle “the go.”
Animals are similar to us in so many ways, one of those is the production of waste. To put it simply, your pet is going to poop. So be prepared for it. Set up multiple litter boxes so felines don’t make a mess around your home. And for dogs, be prepared for some dog doo-doo in your yard. Luckily, if you don’t want to deal with the constant clean up, you can hire services to come and clean your yard and leave no turd behind. Investing in Scoop Troop is an investment in a clean, healthy yard, not only for your pets but for your family as well.
Give your pet their own space.
When designing your home, it may be nice to give your pet their own space. Set up a mudroom for your dog to wash and dry off after running around outside. Have hidden nooks your cats can enjoy. Set tanked animals near windows so they can enjoy natural light. Giving your pet their own space can create healthy habits for them and give them a fuller life in your home.
Don’t let them get into mischief.
Just like you baby-proof a house before bringing home a newborn, there are things you’ll want to pet-proof in your home. These can be simple fixes. Put lids on your trash cans, don’t leave food on the counter, be careful not to display anything fragile. If you take away the possibility of mischief the less you’ll find yourself getting frustrated with your pets.
