There is so much fun to be had with a pet at home! However, our four-legged friends can make a lot of mischief at times: toys scattered around the floor, claw and teeth marks on the furniture, unpleasant odors... What to do? Give up and say goodbye to a stylish and tidy home?! We don’t think so! Here are a few helpful tips which you can use to keep the home tidy and make your pets happy:
Wall and Floor Decoration
While thinking about the design of a pet-friendly home, you can pay attention to the materials you will use for floors and walls, as they are often affected by your pet’s activities. In general, wallpapers and shaggy carpets which collect a lot of fur wouldn’t be the best option. Instead, opt for easy-to-clean materials, such as plastered or painted walls. Also, ceramic tiles or quartz vinyl would work well for floors.
Durable Furniture
When you adapt your home for your pet, remember that their fur will likely be spread everywhere, including your beloved sofa. To keep your interior in its original form, use covers for your furniture that would protect from dirt, pet hair or hair balls.
Another great option is to purchase special furniture with a spill-proof or pet proof cover. The upholstery of this furniture is made of dense fabrics, like flock or chenille, which have increased wear resistance and are easy to maintain.
Chilling Zone for Pets
A four-legged friend should have their own place to relax. Most dogs are always happy to have a rest on their favorite couch or corner, but showing a cat where their bed is located can be a bit challenging…they tend to choose for themselves.
Watch your cat and find out in which places they like to rest more often. Then place a little pet-couch or decorative pillows in the area of the feline throne chosen by your purring pet.
Dining Zone
When you choose a place to feed your pet, you need to take into account a few important points:
the feeding area should not interfere with the entrances to the area or block the path of any other creatures (including humans!);
to make the cleanup of stains and splashes easier, you could lay a rubber mat under the bowls;
the feeding area should be located at a comfortable height for the animal, and the bowls shouldn’t be too narrow. If the bowl is too small or narrow, your pet would likely take the food out of the bowl and eat it on the floor.
Pets need to drink a lot of water, and the water from the bowl may seem to them not as fresh as from a toilet (where the water constantly recycles). Place several bowls with fresh water all over the home, and change the water there frequently. You could also get a pet fountain that constantly cycles water.
Special boxes with built-in feeding bowls are also popular. These can look very stylish and are also easy to clean. They often also have storage areas for your little friend’s clothes, toys or leashes.
Pets Restroom
This is quite a sensitive problem, especially for cat owners. Cats are constantly digging into the litter and scattering it in all directions. They also carry it on their paws and track it all over the home.
It is best to install a litter box or cat tray in a place where people rarely enter. No one will stop the cat from doing its business there. You can also buy a special litter box that looks like a cabinet, where the tray is hidden inside the cabinet and isn’t visible to everyone. Cleaning these cabinet-style litter boxes are also quite easy: just open the cabinet and replace the littler in the tray.
Play Zone
It’s no secret that cats love to jump and climb as high as possible. To help them stay fit, it is important to provide a special area for them to play. A tall rack with a ladder or a cat maze or scratch tower are all good solutions.
The purpose of these intentional play zones is to distract your purring friend from climbing curtains and scratching other furniture.
