You can have a beautiful home while making it safe and comfortable for your pets, your family, and young children. Keeping a house clean, odor-free, and elegant can be difficult when you have a four-legged creature running around. However, with attention to your pet’s comfort and making it easy on yourself, you can maintain a tidy and attractive home that serves both animal and human needs. Here are some ways you can make your home safe and accessible for pets while also protecting it from damage, dirt, and allergens.
Vacuum regularly—It may feel like a burden to have to pull out the vacuum more often than if you didn’t have a pet. However, shedding fur can build up very quickly, creating an allergic environment. Invest in a good vacuum that can suck up hair from carpets, floors, and furniture. Consider a system that vacuums for you such as a Roomba specifically designed to handle pet hair.
Bathe and groom your pet often—Shampooing, brushing, trimming, and clipping regularly will keep your cat or dog clean longer with less shedding and wear and tear on your furniture, rugs, floors, and upholstery.
Use stain-resistant and washable fabrics—Use synthetic fabric resistant to stains, mud, smells, and bacteria. Choose materials that are easy to clean, such as leather or washable cotton blankets, bedsheets, and mattress pads. Choose flooring over wall-to-wall carpeting—A carpet is difficult to keep clean due to its absorption of stains and odors. If you prefer carpet, choose a low pile that’s easier to clean and won’t snag your pet’s toenails, causing an unraveling. It’s simpler to clean up a pet accident from a bare floor, especially hardwood floors. They are easy to mop and vacuum, yet a caveat is they are not resistant to scratch marks from a large dog. Ceramic tile is the most resistant to stains and scratches, while porous stone isn’t.
Create a pet-friendly space near entrances—Provide an accessible doorway for your pet to come in and go out. The floor should be easy to clean when tracking in dirt. There should be a closet, cabinet, or drawer to keep pet accessories and food. If you have the space in your yard, create a contained area with toys to keep your pets amused in the warm weather. Rubber toys are a good substitute for rawhide bones which are messy and unhealthy for dogs. It gives your dog something to chew on other than the furniture, and they won’t be subjected to harmful nitrates. A scratching or climbing post for your cats will allow them to exercise while distracting them from jumping on and clawing furniture. If you must keep your pet in a crate overnight, make it comfortable with enough padding. If the container is unsightly, you can build a top cover to make it a bench seat.
Inspect all areas for danger to your pets—Check for and remove any hazards that could lead to choking, electric shock, and suffocation. Just like you would protect young children, the same applies to your pets. Keep poisonous items, medications, and human food out of an animal’s reach. Research safe plants to purchase and avoid feeding foods that are harmful to your pet by checking the ASPCA database. Keep a tight lid on your garbage pail and place toilet lids down if you use an automatic bowl cleaner. Secure electrical cords and pull strings on blinds and curtains. Prevent falling injuries—Install sturdy screens, and don’t leave ladders out that your pets may be tempted to climb.
Your pets are like family members, yet you should still be able to preserve your home’s inner and outer assets. With these cleaning, grooming, and safety tips, you can cater to your pet’s comforts and well-being while maintaining beauty, functionality, and cleanliness in your home.