Did you know that there is non-alcoholic “wine” for pets called Pawsecco? Me neither. The days of 5-minute dog walks around the block and eating scraps are over.
Our pampered furry friends are living better lives than we are, I mean, they even have more followers on social media than we do. We are talking about insurance, “pawdicures”, organic food, luxury grooming, toys, matching pajamas, fancy dresses, birthday parties, and even exercise-tracking gadgets.
Pets are being pampered more than ever before. Nickie Charles, a sociology professor from the University of Warwick studies people’s relationships with their pets. “People are emotionally attached to their pets, it’s a very intimate relationship. Pets are seen as another member of the family”, she said.
Although we indulge in every aspect of four-legged friends’ lives, there is one area that hasn’t gotten much attention: their living situation.
Is your home pet-friendly? Over half of all homes have pets living in them, however, when it comes to home improvement they are overlooked.
Below are some ways pet owners can make sure their furry friends are comfortable and safe, and won’t destroy the house.
Paw-Resistant Flooring and Fabrics:
Stick to fabric and flooring materials that make you work less. Steer away from delicate materials and fabrics such as silk, velvet, velour, and mohair which can be damaged by your buddies. Suede, easy-care leather or synthetic fibers can be easily wiped clean and will not wear out with time.
Carpet is never a good choice for pet-owners but if you must have it, choose a color similar to your pet’s fur, this way pet hair won’t be as distinguishable. In regards to flooring, keep in mind that your pets’ paws tend to get dirty and that dirtiness will be on your floors (let’s not forget potty training days). So opt for floors that can be easily cleaned such as stone, ceramic tiles or laminate flooring.
Hardwood flooring is the worst option if you’re a pet owner due to the fact that it will likely get scratched, dented, and stained in no time.
The Ultimate Playroom:
All of us pet owners would, without a doubt, love to dedicate a full room to our beloved fur-friends, but this isn’t always possible. Nonetheless, designating a special place for them is doable.
If you don’t want your pet making a mess all around your house, give them their own personal space to play, have their “me” time, and feel safe and comfortable when you’re not around. It doesn’t have to be huge, in fact, dogs enjoy small spaces. A laundry room, a walk-in closet, a corner in a room, even a crate would be great. Make sure the area is free of hazardous materials like electric cords or cleaning materials, add their favorite toys, a water source, and don’t forget to make it comfortable, add a dog bed or an old pillow.
Petscaping Your Yard:
If your pets love their outside-time, there are several things you should keep in mind to make sure your garden is kept safe and your pets aren’t harmed.
You should consider building fences or structures that will prevent your furbabies from wondering off into the great unknown. My dog is plant-based, and I’m not talking about me buying vegan dog food, it’s more like she sees a plant and she automatically bites it.
Dogs are curious creatures, therefore, it’s essential to identify toxic plants in our landscape. There are many plants which are hazardous for pets, for instance, daylilies, ivies, azaleas, and some ferns. It is also important to mention that insecticides and fertilizers are among the top 10 pet poisons, so go for organic gardening.
“Comfurtable” and Safe Living:
Just like when you baby proof your house, you need to puppy proof your house to make living as smooth as possible for yourself and your pets. Purina suggests you get a “puppy-view” of things, which literally means get on all four and walk around, but this is stretching it a bit. Walk around (on two feet) and see what might be dangerous for them, or a disaster waiting to happen.
- Look out for strangulation, choking, and electrocution hazards, like electric cords or window cords.
- Keep human food and medications out of their access. Also, get rid of “ladders” that your pet could use to climb to countertops and tabletops. Discard perishable trash every day, and add baking soda to lessen the trash odor to make it less appealing to your four-legged friends. Not only will you prevent a mess in your house, you will prevent your pet from eating toxic or hazardous foods such as chicken bones, coffee grinds, chocolate, and seeds.
- Make sure all cleaning products, pesticides, and other toxic liquids are stored in latched cupboards or cabinets (pets can easily maneuver cupboards with their paws), or on high shelves. And always remember to clean up any spills or drips immediately when using such products.
- Avoid low tables, candles, glass objects or breakables which may fall.
We all want our pets to live for many years, but our friends with furry tails and clumsy paws aren’t always aware of their surroundings, so it’s up to us to prevent mishaps and making their home as comfortable and safe as possible.