Pet-Friendly House Tips to Make Fido and Fluffy Feel at Home

If you’ve got pets, you know a pet-friendly home is a must. Whether you have cats, dogs, hamsters or maybe a mixture, they’re going to spend most—if not all—of their time in your house. So, how do you make sure the place is a perfect fit for Fido and Fluffy?

Here are four tips to create a pet-friendly home:

1. Pick durable materials

No matter how much you love your pet, you don’t want your home to look like it’s gone to the dogs. To keep your abode looking like it’s in top shape, pick durable flooring such as tile, vinyl or stone that is easy to clean, stain resistant and toenail proof. If you can’t give up your love for carpet, then choose a color that matches your pet so loose hairs blend in. Be sure to use pads under area rugs to prevent accidental slips and slides.

In addition to flooring, choose wall treatments and furnishings with your pet in mind. Light colors will be more likely to show dirt. It also is easier to wipe smudges off a satin paint finish than off of a flat finish.

If you are concerned about eliminating fur and pet odors from furniture, then Ultrasuede, a machine-washable microfiber, might be your best bet for fabric that is family- and pet-friendly.

2. Minimize dirt

It goes without saying that you should clean litter boxes and fish or reptile tanks regularly. Brushing and washing your pet, and vacuuming frequently also can help hold off hair balls and pet odors.

Additionally, if you have a dog, establishing a pet-friendly animal area at an entry or in a mud room can prevent dirt from being tracked throughout your home. If you’re planning to install a doggie door, this is a great place from which to restrict your pooch from the rest of the house while still providing free access to the outdoors.

Use a storage shelf or basket to keep towels within arm’s reach when you need to dry fur. Then, add an attractive hook to give you a handy place to hang a leash.

3. Keep safety in mind

Safety is paramount in a pet-friendly home. In particular, keep electrical cords out of the way and avoid curtains or blinds with long cords in which your pet could get tangled. Secure screens and bars so cats can’t fall out of windows. Put breakables out of reach. And child-proof your home with cabinet locks as well as trash-can and toilet-bowl lid latches, so your curious creature steers clear of harm.

In 2013, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center handled nearly 180,000 cases about pets exposed to possibly poisonous substances. Common household items can be hazardous to pets. So familiarize yourself with the top pet toxins—a list that includes medication, plants, people food, cleaning products, pesticides and fertilizers.

4. Carve out a pet-friendly space

To prevent your pet from wreaking havoc in your home, give it a place to call its own that doesn’t detract from your design. Place a cozy crate or dog bed in a kitchen nook, or push it under a table. Place unsightly toys in a swank storage basket. Or, turn your pet’s toys into more attractive accoutrements—nowadays many scratching posts and perches have been stylized into trees to provide cats a more artistic place to put their paws.

If you don’t think your pet’s things are appealing, then it’s best to keep them out of sight. Many cabinet makers offer systems, where food can be stored in an airtight container and bowls, are part of a built-in feeding system that stow behind closed doors or in a drawer when you don’t want it in plain view or posing a trip hazard.

Some of these cabinet systems even have a cut-out doorway to access a litter box. If you choose to hide your pet’s litter box, though, just be sure that it’s in a place that’s both private and inviting. You don’t want your cat to refuse to use the litter box because it feels claustrophobic.

Whatever home design options you choose, be sure they fit with your pet’s personality. Then, with a little foresight, you can ensure that your pet has all the creature comforts it will need without creating obtrusive headaches.