Thinking of putting some new additions into your home— but also have a new addition living in your home? It can be hard to make certain home improvements when you have pets, but it may also be necessary. Not only does creating a pet-friendly home keep your home looking beautiful, it also keeps your new pet safe. Here are some home improvement ideas that are pet-friendly.
#1: New Floors
One thing to keep in mind when getting a new pet is that you may also have to get new flooring. Many types of pets shed and they also have accidents, so having carpeted flooring is not ideal. Instead go with an easy-to-clean and durable type of flooring, such as:
- Laminate
- Tile
- Vinyl
The reason hardwood flooring isn’t listed is because they’re easily scratched and are more likely to become damaged by moisture than laminate or vinyl flooring. However, you can choose to go with hardwood flooring if you can find the hardest wood possible, and add a damage-resistant finish on top of it. And although carpet isn’t ideal for furry pets, you can go with a lower pile, darker color, and stain-resistant type.
#2: New Furniture
Pets— especially those with claws— also tend to cause damage to your furniture, so it may be time to get new furniture. You’ll want furniture that will be resistant to their claws and shedding as much as possible. Some of the best couch materials for pet owners include:
- Canvas (mostly found on outdoor furniture)
- Denim
- Leather (both real and synthetic)
- Other synthetic materials, such as acrylic, nylon, and polyester
Not all of these types of materials may be available in your area, so there’s certain criteria you’ll want your chosen couch material to match, as well as your other furniture:
- Choose the most durable fabric material you can find for your soft surfaces.
- Tightly woven upholstery is less likely to collect pet hair, and it’s also easier to clean.
- If pet hair-resistant furniture isn’t available to you, choose a sofa color close to your pet’s fur color.
- Choose heavier furniture that’s hard to move/knock over— you may also want to consider pushing your furniture against the wall.
#3: Outdoor Concerns
The majority of pets need their outside time and plenty of sunlight just like we do, so you’ll want to make sure your backyard keeps your new furry friend in mind. These tips are also great for pet owners who want to keep their pets outside
Fencing
Some dog owners choose an invisible or underground fencing option when it comes to keeping their pets in their yard, but this will require your dog to wear an electromagnetic collar that delivers a small shock if they go past the threshold. Dogs eventually learn to stay in the yard to avoid this, but some pet owners still see this as inhumane. A simple wooden fence is another option for keeping your pet safely in the yard, and you can have it painted to match your home.
Landscaping
Certain plants are toxic to dogs and other animals, so there are some plants you don’t want to plant outside or keep inside your house if you’re a new pet owner. Bamboo is a pet-friendly plant, plus it looks gorgeous in a yard. Also, consider organic gardening, as pesticides and herbicides can also be toxic to your pet.
#4: Other Considerations
What if you were able to create a unique room for your pet? Well, this is an achievable renovation if you have an extra or unused room in your home. The entire room’s flooring can be turf, which will give the appearance of grass. You can keep your pet’s favorite toys in the room, and the room would preferably lead to the (fenced-in) backyard with a dog/cat door so your pet can go outside whenever he or she pleases.
Last, but not least, make sure that your pet can’t get into anything that could be dangerous to them. What may not seem dangerous to you or your kids may prove to be fatal to your pet. Foods such as grapes, chocolate, and sugar-free foods are toxic to dogs. Pets can also choke on small items, just like children can.
It is possible to have a pet-friendly home that is also stylish. Just remember to make the best choices for your pet, as not all pets (even if they’re the same animal) are alike. Some dogs may be less rambunctious than others, and some also shed less than others.