Pets are wonderful. Many of us can’t live without them, and almost all of us who do have them also co-habit under the same roof. After all, they’re part of the family.
Most of our pets have fur, they knock things down, and they can scratch and chew all sorts of things in our homes–so cleanliness and safety are two very important elements to consider when it comes to owning a pet. In this gallery, we look at how you can keep your pets and your home safe and clean.
Browse through and discover how you can pet-proof your home.
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Floor
Carpets are a no-no if you have pets. Go for something hard and smooth, such as tile, polished concrete, or even laminate flooring.
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Hide wires and cords
Cats and dogs love to chew on stuff, including these. Tuck them away.
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Paint
A semi-gloss paint will make your walls easier to clean than a matte one, so take this into account the next time you decide to paint a room.
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Stain-resistant fabrics
Crypton, for instance, is a strong synthetic fabric that can handle a lot of abuse.
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Velvet
Velvet is also a great fabric that can be used in a wide range of things, including upholstery. Why? Because it has no loops, so cats won’t stick their claws in it.
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Leather
Leather is also a great fabric if you have pets. It doesn’t stain as easily as other fabrics and it’s easy to clean.
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Vacuum cleaner
Buy a powerful vacuum cleaner and use it often. Hair does get everywhere, all the time!
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Rope it up
If you have cats at home, you can wrap rope around table legs, or even around pipes, so they can scratch them.
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Plants
Hanging plants are a great option if you want to have plants at home but also want to keep them away from your pets.
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Lint roller
Use these, and use them often. While vacuuming is great, having these at hand is very practical, especially for clothes.
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Closed storage
It’s important to have everything secure in closed storage. Cabinets, cupboards, and boxes are your friends.
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Shoe rack
Most dogs would happily chew on your shoes all day. Keep them away to prevent this.
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Get rid of small decoration objects
Knickknacks and pets don’t combine. You’re better off putting them away.
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Put them here instead
A cabinet with glass-panel doors is perfect to display whatever you want while keeping your home pet-proof at the same time.
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Low-pile rugs
These will be easier to clean and not as inviting to “digging.”
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Pet door
These are great if you have a house and access to an outside area that is safe for your pets. They’ll love being able to move around, and you won’t have to open and close doors all the time.
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Protect your garden
Some plants and flowers can be poisonous, so fence the area around any plants or flowers you don’t want your pets to reach.
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Color coordinate
This is more of a decor tip. When choosing a bed for your pet, play around with the color scheme of your home, and the colors of the animal too.
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Extra padding
Place a couple of rugs on the floor in front of you couch. These will work as “landing pads” for when they jump from the couch onto the floor.
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Trash can
Make sure your trash can has a solid lid that’s not easy to open. Never, ever, have an open one.
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Childproof latches
Pets are clever, and they’ll learn to open cabinets! Use these to keep them safe.
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Nail caps
If scratching is really an issue, this can be a viable solution.
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Gate
Yes, just like the ones you’d get for a child. These can be useful to block access to areas such as the kitchen or stairs.
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Patterns
When buying a rug, go with small intricate patterns instead of big ones. Any stains or damage to the rug won’t be as noticeable.
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Fireplace
If you have an open fireplace, then a screen is a must-have if you have pets.
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Keep your bathroom door closed
You don’t want your pets in the bathroom. Chewing on a bar of soap or drinking water from the toilet is not good for your pet.
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Pantry
Keep away dangerous foods such as chocolate or garlic in your kitchen cupboards.
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Moth balls
These are a mix of chemical pesticide and deodorant, and you don’t want your pets to eat them. Ensure you keep them away.
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