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How Do I... Pet Proof My Home?
Love your pet but loathe the way they destroy your home? Here's how to keep your home safe from sharp claws and teeth
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning home and garden questions. Here, Andrew Weeks, business development manager at Cyclone pet- and insect-screen supplier, shares some practical tips for preventing your four-legged friends from damaging your home.
Image by Cyclone
Select hardy flooring materials
If you’re looking to update your flooring, consider hard flooring, such as tile or laminate, rather than soft flooring – it will be able to cope better with the demands of pets and it’s easier to clean.
Tip: If you have rugs and your dog often makes them slip around the room, invest in a non-slip underlay to keep rugs in position.
Select hardy flooring materials
If you’re looking to update your flooring, consider hard flooring, such as tile or laminate, rather than soft flooring – it will be able to cope better with the demands of pets and it’s easier to clean.
Tip: If you have rugs and your dog often makes them slip around the room, invest in a non-slip underlay to keep rugs in position.
Keep claws trimmed
This will prevent your dog’s claws from snagging on carpets or leaving scratches on hard surfaces. Nail trims are especially important for larger dog breeds as they exert more pressure on your floor.
This will prevent your dog’s claws from snagging on carpets or leaving scratches on hard surfaces. Nail trims are especially important for larger dog breeds as they exert more pressure on your floor.
Cyclone’s Pet Mesh for doors and windows
Choose suitable screening materials
Scratching at the doors and windows is the universal dog and cat signal for ‘let me in or out’, but it can easily tear the screening material. To prevent this, choose a pet-proof screening material that’s resistant to scratching, gnawing and chewing.
Choose suitable screening materials
Scratching at the doors and windows is the universal dog and cat signal for ‘let me in or out’, but it can easily tear the screening material. To prevent this, choose a pet-proof screening material that’s resistant to scratching, gnawing and chewing.
Opt for wipeable paint finishes
When choosing paint finishes for walls, choose stain-resistant ones that can be wiped down if your pet marks the walls. These finishes are particularly useful in high-traffic areas such as hallways, kitchens and family rooms where humans and their furry companions tend to spend a lot of time.
When choosing paint finishes for walls, choose stain-resistant ones that can be wiped down if your pet marks the walls. These finishes are particularly useful in high-traffic areas such as hallways, kitchens and family rooms where humans and their furry companions tend to spend a lot of time.
Choose washable soft furnishings
When considering the upholstery fabric for any place your pet is likely to sit, such as a sofa, think durable and washable. Synthetics are durable and generally easy to clean; leather is tough and won’t hold pet hairs, but can scratch; while loose slipcovers on sofas and armchairs can often go straight into the washing machine when they’re dirty.
Or, for a quick fix, throw a blanket or sheet over your favourite sofa or armchair before your pet gets comfortable.
When considering the upholstery fabric for any place your pet is likely to sit, such as a sofa, think durable and washable. Synthetics are durable and generally easy to clean; leather is tough and won’t hold pet hairs, but can scratch; while loose slipcovers on sofas and armchairs can often go straight into the washing machine when they’re dirty.
Or, for a quick fix, throw a blanket or sheet over your favourite sofa or armchair before your pet gets comfortable.
Keep pets occupied
To discourage pets from behaving destructively, provide them with plenty of exercise and fun. It’s also important to be consistent with your training program and always reinforce positive behaviour.
To discourage pets from behaving destructively, provide them with plenty of exercise and fun. It’s also important to be consistent with your training program and always reinforce positive behaviour.
Buy a few products designed for your pet to destroy
Are you finding it impossible to get your cat to stop scratching the furniture or your dog to stop chewing the carpet? Scratching and chewing are both normal habits for cats and dogs, but you can protect your furniture and furnishings by providing your pet with a suitable outlet. Buy a scratching post or two for your cat and a few toys for your dog to chew on.
Tip: Still can’t get your pet to stop gnawing on your furniture? Try a natural spray deterrent. Mix a few drops of white vinegar and apple cider vinegar for dogs (or lemon and water for cats and rabbits) and spray onto furniture or furnishings you want your pet to avoid. If you catch your pet in the act of chewing furniture, immediately offer an appropriate chew toy.
Are you finding it impossible to get your cat to stop scratching the furniture or your dog to stop chewing the carpet? Scratching and chewing are both normal habits for cats and dogs, but you can protect your furniture and furnishings by providing your pet with a suitable outlet. Buy a scratching post or two for your cat and a few toys for your dog to chew on.
Tip: Still can’t get your pet to stop gnawing on your furniture? Try a natural spray deterrent. Mix a few drops of white vinegar and apple cider vinegar for dogs (or lemon and water for cats and rabbits) and spray onto furniture or furnishings you want your pet to avoid. If you catch your pet in the act of chewing furniture, immediately offer an appropriate chew toy.
Give them their own outdoor space
If you have a garden, fence in a portion where dogs can have a space to be active while still being contained, so they won’t destroy your lawn or wander into neighbours’ yards. It also confines their bathroom space, making for easier clean-ups and limiting grass loss from what your furry friend leaves behind.
If you have a cat, consider investing in an outdoor cat enclosure, complete with food, water, toys and somewhere to scratch. This will give your feline friend access to the outdoors, while preventing them from harming wildlife.
If you have a garden, fence in a portion where dogs can have a space to be active while still being contained, so they won’t destroy your lawn or wander into neighbours’ yards. It also confines their bathroom space, making for easier clean-ups and limiting grass loss from what your furry friend leaves behind.
If you have a cat, consider investing in an outdoor cat enclosure, complete with food, water, toys and somewhere to scratch. This will give your feline friend access to the outdoors, while preventing them from harming wildlife.
Create a digging spot
Digging is a natural instinct for your dog, so it is a good idea to create a safe space to dig and satisfy this need. Fence in a portion of the property so your dog has a space to be active while staying safe, and fill it with loose soil that is easy to tunnel into.
Digging is a natural instinct for your dog, so it is a good idea to create a safe space to dig and satisfy this need. Fence in a portion of the property so your dog has a space to be active while staying safe, and fill it with loose soil that is easy to tunnel into.
Tell us
How have you pet proofed your home? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
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Read more pet stories here
How have you pet proofed your home? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Read more pet stories here
Here are a few ways to protect your furniture, soft furnishings and accessories from scratches, teeth marks, tears and more.