Pet-Proof Home Upgrades: An Owner’s Guide


Smart home / Thursday, February 28th, 2019

For many of us, the perfect home is not complete without the addition of an adorable, furry friend to greet you at the door. However, the responsibilities of a pet owner don’t end with feeding, grooming and the occasional potty break. As your home is no longer just your own, you will need to make adjustments to welcome your little friend into a safe and comfortable environment.

Follow this guide to ensure a happy home for you and your pet.

Match Size to Space

As condominiums and apartments in cities continue to grow in popularity, more city dwellers are trading off big money for small spaces. However, for dog owners especially, the size of a home can greatly influence your dog’s wellbeing.

For example, dog owners seeking condos for sale in Ottawa and condos for sale in London, Ontario, will want to keep in mind that just as homes come in different sizes, so do dogs. Larger and more energetic breeds will need a bigger space to play in, making apartments more ideal for smaller and quieter breeds. Living in a condo apartment also means that you will have close neighbours and noise levels to worry about.

Avoid the horror of an overly energetic dog, noise complaints and torn pieces of furniture.

Pet-Friendly Décor

For longer-haired pets, shedding is unavoidable and will require more frequent cleaning. However, to avoid lint-rolling every surface your pet walks by, choose fur-friendly furniture that can mask both the presence of long hairs and stains.

When furniture shopping, you may want to look into sturdy, and synthetic materials such as denim or canvas. Choose carpets and furniture that matches or blends in with your pet’s hair – there’s nothing worse than a black couch with a white cat.

Make Use of Your Walls

Taking advantage of wall space provides the double benefit of saving space and keeping hazards away from your pet. Clear any harmful chemicals, plants, choking hazards and fragile items off the ground for both you and your pet’s safety.

Look into installing shelving on your walls and get creative with ways to store household items on your wall. You may want to use hanging planters, peg boards, or floating shelves, which can visually expand the room.

Invest in Covers, Slips, and Protectors

Most furniture wasn’t made with paws and fur in mind. Investing in protection for your furniture and appliances will save you the headache of ruined furniture and the puppy dog eyes that follow.

Here are some items to help pet-proof your home:

  • Sofa protector – protects furniture from scratches or accidents
  • Stair tread – provides grip and protection for hardwood
  • Pet ramp – helps smaller pets access beds or sofas easily
  • Cord cover – protects cables from chewers
  • Safety gate – keeps pet inside a safe zone and away from open doors

Use Natural Repellents

Cats and dogs are more sensitive to smells than we are and making your own homemade repellent might be your best bet to deterring your pet from unwanted areas of your home. For example, nontoxic and strongly scented or citric-based essential oils are generally disliked by both cats and dogs. Placing orange peels and lemon peels in your garden can keep your dog out of your flowers, and water alone works as a strong deterrent for cats, who hate getting wet.

You can take it a step further by mixing water with a citric-based oil to make a spray repellent for furniture or areas in which you want your pet to avoid. As with anything concerning your pets’ wellbeing, make sure to always check the ingredients of any oil or spray for their safety.

Groom Your Pets Regularly

Something as simple as brushing your pet’s fur regularly and clipping its nails can help to maintain your home. Remember to bathe your pet occasionally and wipe them down when they come in from outside, so you don’t end up with muddy and wet paw prints on your floors.

And of course, providing a safe and happy home for your pet is just a fraction of the love they will return to you!

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