Welcome to our guide on creating pet-friendly spaces! In this article, we will explore six helpful home hacks that are perfect for dog and cat owners, as well as the owners of small pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters.
When contemplating the addition of a pet to your family, you might make the mistake of assuming they will seamlessly fit into your home and lifestyle without any adjustments.
However, integrating pets into your life requires adaptations and a willingness to modify your home and habits to accommodate their needs, resulting in a happy pet and a stress-free routine.
Ensuring your home is pet-proofed is crucial for establishing a harmonious environment for both you and your furry (or scaly!) friends.
We'll go beyond pet-friendly furniture and protecting against claw marks and explore strategies to streamline pet care, minimise stress and mess, and ensure a safe, comfortable and functional environment.
Why Owning Pets Can Cause Stress in the Home
Our pets can provide a source of love, fun, company and purpose, which can help to reduce stress and alleviate symptoms of mental illnesses like anxiety and depression.
But in some circumstances, elements of pet care can cause stress and anxiety, such as:
Increased noise in the home due to barking, mewing, etc, which can lead to disrupted sleep, work and study.
Increased mess and dirt.
Added financial strain due to food, vet bills, upkeep costs, etc.
Damage to furniture, walls, floors, etc, resulting in costly repairs.
General maintenance, e.g. feeding, walking, entertaining, vet trips and pet-sitting.
Poor pet health: A stressed or unwell pet is more likely to cause disruption and need extra care.
All of the above can lead to reduced time for self-care, which can increase stress.
If you're struggling with any of the above points and feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for a pet, then fear not. The strategies we cover in this article can help you streamline pet care and maximise your home’s functionality and durability.
So let's dive into how these six practical tips and tricks can help you safeguard your home, your pet's well-being, and your mental health while enjoying all the benefits of Paw-renthood.
6 Tips on Making Your Home Pet-Friendly For You and Your Furry Friends
1. Strategically Camouflage Pet Clutter and Blend Accessories
Adopting a pet requires you to make space for some extra clutter in the form of pet bowls, beds, toys, etc. This can give your home a more chaotic and uncoordinated appearance.
To keep your home design looking tidy and synchronised, there's plenty you can do to camouflage your pet's items and keep them organised and functional:
Put Things Away: To maintain tidiness and a minimalistic appearance, get into the habit of putting away pet items when they are not in use, such as food bowls and toys.
Colour Scheme Awareness: If your home has a particular colour scheme, coordinate your pet's items by choosing colours that match. For example, if you have grey carpets, select a grey pet bed which blends in with your home.
Simplistic and Subtle Designs: A failsafe way to successfully blend your pet stuff into your home decor is to opt for simple colours, materials and textures. Avoid bold patterns, shapes and textures which stick out. For example, if you aiming for subtlety, don't pair a bright orange dog bed with a neutral interior design.
Multi-Purpose Pet Furniture: Choose items that optimise storage without sacrificing space. For example, you could purchase a pet bed with built-in storage. This creates a cosy cubby for your pet to sleep in while saving space. If you have a cat, you might consider couch protectors made of sisal rope. This material is perfect for cats to scratch and sharpen their claws on. By using these protectors, you can avoid the need for a scratching post, saving even more space. Additionally, they will help keep your furniture free of claw marks.
2. Streamline Pet Care with Simple Routines
Creating a daily routine is an excellent way to alleviate the burden of caring for your pet. By establishing habits and adhering to a set schedule, you can stay on top of your responsibilities while also staying accountable.
Create a Cleaning and Pet Care Schedule
Regular cleaning of pet items is crucial to prevent harmful bacteria buildup. Create a checklist for regular pet care tasks, including cleaning food/water bowls, litter trays, etc, and keep it in an accessible place to act as a reminder.
Here is a sample task list below to give you an idea. You may need to add different tasks depending on your pets:
Vacuum pet hair
Wash pet bowls
Clean pet bedding
Clear litter trays and any indoor pet waste
Change sawdust or hay in small pet cages
Refresh water or food
Tidy up pet toys
Administer medicines
Create Cleaning Kits
A cleaning kit is a set of essential cleaning items needed to accomplish a specific task. Having all the necessary supplies in one place can make it easier and faster to tackle any accidental messes and daily chores.
To ensure maximum efficiency, it's a good idea to create a separate cleaning kit for each of the main tasks you need to complete. For example, you could have a kit for clearing litter boxes, cleaning pet cages, or cleaning muddy dogs. You could also have kits for household chores like cleaning the bathroom, dusting, or doing laundry.
As an example, I have a litter box cleaning kit that contains everything I need to easily and efficiently scoop my cat's litter tray. Since this is a daily task, it was important for me to have all the necessary items readily available, without having to search for them buried under other things. In my kit, I keep all the items I need to clean the litter box quickly and easily, including waste bags, a scoop, gloves, and a cleaning solution.
Subscription Pet Supplies
If you are tired of the endless visits to the pet shop, there are plenty of online subscription services which will regularly deliver the essentials like food and litter. Additionally, there are brands which provide fun selection boxes filled with a variety of treats and toys for your pet to try.