If you’re a homeowner who is also a pet owner, then you are familiar with the struggle of keeping your home looking fresh and clean. Dogs are constantly tracking in dirt and mud and cats definitely do their fair share of shedding all over the place, too. White rugs might be your favorite thing ever, but you probably soon realized that they were no longer possible while also having a furry little creature in the house.
Just because you had to get rid of the all-white furniture doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice all of the styles you love. Here are a ton of tips and tricks to help you pet-proof your home while still being trendy and chic.
If your pet likes to jump off the couch but then they slip on the hardwood floor, lay down some extra rugs. These will act as “landing pads,” ensuring your pet’s safety. And obviously, you can find a rug that’s cute so that it makes your home look stylish too.
If you have a garden, there are also a number of things there that would be considered toxic for a pet. There are tons of plants that are dangerous, as well as things like mulches and fertilizers. Look for different ways to build barriers.
3. Use stain-resistant fabrics
Crypton is an almost indestructible synthetic fabric that is resistant to smells, stains, and bacteria. It is your new best friend.
Everyone (pets included) likes high-pile rugs. They are cozy and inviting. The problem though, is that it is way too easy for cats and dogs to dig their claws into them. That is why you’re better off with something flatter.
Velvet is great. You want to get velvet everything. Why? Because, while cats will never stop scratching, velvet will give them less to scratch into. There are no loops that they can stick their claws in.
Cats love to scratch vertically. There are toys that fulfill this need, but why not get a little more creative with it? Wrap rope around some table legs or around pipes in your home (that aren’t hot) so your kitty can embrace its natural needs. It’ll look cute and rustic, too.
Soft Paws a tiny rubber caps you put on each individual nail on your cat and/or dog. They are small enough so that they don’t intrude or cause any pain and this way, they can’t scratch up the whole house!
8. Don’t decorate with breakable knickknacks
It might be tempting, as delicate knickknacks are cute and make your home unique. But it won’t be so cute when your dog or cat knocks them over and breaks everything. It’s best to opt for more durable decorations.
9. Here’s how to show off your knickknacks
If you’re really set on decorating with knickknacks, put them in a china cabinet with glass-panel doors. That way your pet can’t break them, but you can still see them.
A litterbox is no one’s favorite part about a cat, especially if you don’t have extra space in the house. Modkat litterboxes are a great option though — they are pricey, but worth the investment. It’s functional and reduces the amount of litter that tracks out with each use.
11. Tuck wires and cords away
It can hurt your cat or dog if they chew on a plugged-in cord or wire. Tuck them away to avoid that — it will also make the room look more polished and neat.
Another stylish bedroom idea: put your shoes up on a shelf. This way, your dog will have a harder time chewing on them. Also, it will look cute and organized.
You don’t want your dog getting into the pool unexpectedly. Long, low steps can help. They look nice too!
14. Give your pets attractive toys and snacks
Dogs love rawhide bones and pigs ears but they are terrible for your dog, and they look and smell bad. Get them something to chew on that looks a little more chic and tidy — extra points if it can hang on the wall.
Make sure any other odds and ends like batteries, rubber bands, plastic bags, etc, are all out of reach as they are super dangerous. It’s good to have a separate container to keep them in — there are plenty of aesthetically-pleasing containers you can choose from.
16. De-littering cat walk
Now this is the ultimate litter box. It’s cute, and it also has a de-littering cat walk. Perfect for a clean and tidy home.
There’s a pretty good chance that when you leave the house, your dog will tear something up. That’s why it’s a great idea to go for closed storage, so that they can’t get into anything important. Fill up your home with trusty fauxdenzas!
It’s actually a smart idea to coordinate the color of your home with your pet. If your cat has mostly black fur, go for darker furniture. If your dog has mostly white fur, opt for a lighter home. That way, when they shed everywhere, it won’t make your furniture look strange.
This one may seem obvious but it’s definitely necessary. Use a lint remover as much as you need to in order to maintain sparkly clean furniture.
If you choose a rug with a big pattern, there will be lots of solid color for the pet to ruin, if that makes sense. The solid light colors will show stains and loose hair more which no one wants.
We know that velvet works well for cats, but did you know that leather is a good option for dogs? Scratches can be buffed out. It also doesn’t latch onto smell or fur too much, which is definitely a plus.
22. If you’ve already invested in a rug
If you have already invested in an expensive rug that might be light colored or have a big pattern, and you don’t want your pet to ruin it (stuff ain’t cheap!), consider hanging it on your wall instead.
That being said, even the paint on your walls should be taken into consideration when you’re living with a pet. Go for a paint finish in semi-gloss — it will be easier to wipe down instead of a matte paint.
24. Consider your floor choices
You’ll want soft cushioning for your pet and for yourself, but wall-to-wall carpet isn’t the best. Go for floor options that are more durable, like tile, hardwood, and polished concrete.
While you’re investing in durable floors, you also want to make sure you have a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner that will help you maintain those floors. Something that can handle all of that fur!
Like a pool, it can be dangerous for a pet to slip into a pond in your yard. To avoid this, make sure the pond has a sloping side. Not only will it make it safer, but it will also give it a more natural look.
To avoid pets getting to toxic food, you can close the kitchen off altogether with a gate. There are cute gates you can get or make too, which is definitely a plus.
Dogs drinking out of toilets is not only gross, but it can be dangerous if you use chemical cleaners. There are other things like floss, towels, and stray socks that can be dangerous for dogs to chew on. Make sure to keep them locked up.
29. Keep them out of laundry rooms
Much like bathrooms, laundry rooms can be a danger zone for pets as well. Bleach, detergents, fabric softeners, etc… All terrible things for your pet to get to. Close it off!
30. Beware of the fireplace
The fireplace in a gathering area can be hazardous, but a simple screen will do the trick. There are chic ones, too!
There are so many great DIY ways to hide your litterbox. One way is to build it into an existing cabinet, like so.
32. Dangers in the bedroom
Okay so to be fair, there aren’t a ton of dangers to pets in the bedroom. But you definitely want to make sure choking hazards like jewelry and bobby pins are out of rich. Consider closed in storage cases, like jewelry boxes.
33. Another way to hide the litter box
Another DIY way to hide the litter box is by putting it into a basket-like thing and then building a door for your cat to move through. It’s kind of like a dirty laundry basket but for your cat!
Mothballs are a serious danger as they are toxic. Make sure those are not out in the open.
35. Get creative with the entrance
When building your DIY litter box home, don’t be afraid to get creative. Building something like a fancy kitten-shaped door will make it so much cuter!
36. Pet-proof your garage
Keep toxic things like pesticides, gasoline, oils, etc, high up and out of reach, preferably in a closed off container in the garage.
If you are looking for a solid colored rug as opposed to a patterned rug, definitely opt for darker colors. Again, this will help stains and dirt stick out less. If there’s an accident on a light-colored carpet, the whole world will see it.
Make it so that a cat or dog can’t easily fall off your porch. Something with a railing like this is great.
You probably predicted this: Like indoor fireplaces, outdoor fireplaces or firepits are also a hazard. If there’s a way to build a barrier between your pet and the fire, it’s a good idea. And keep lighter fluid out of reach.
40. Another way to hide the litter box
Another way to hide the litter box is to build it into a shelf, like so. Choose a super chic shelf like this one and you’ll forget there is even a litter box inside!
An even better option for your pool would be to use a cover. Or you can also build some fencing to make sure your pet can’t get through to it.
There are some dangerous things in the kitchen that a cat or dog should never get a hold of. Food like chocolate, grapes, avocado, garlic, and more, should be out of reach so they can’t eat it. Keep them inside of the kitchen cabinets, or in a separate pantry, so that they can’t get in.
Blankets are a great piece to put on top of your couch or any other furniture! They are durable and they look great and as an extra plus, they protect the seat.
Along with the blankets, cushions also make for a super durable and cozy addition to the couch. It’s important to get cushions that have a slipcover or zip on and off.
45. Decorate with this instead
If the delicate objects are too complicated, that doesn’t mean you can’t get creative with decorating. Focus on jazzing up the place with paintings and picture frames instead.
46. Set up an animal area
It’s really important to consider the layout of the house when you have a pet. For instance, if your dog goes out in the yard a lot, have a room that they can go into before coming into the house. In that room, they can be cleaned and shake off all their dirt.
47. Keep your tools where you put the litter box
Wherever you decide to put your litter box, make sure to also use it as a space for all your pet-related tools. That way, you won’t have them randomly lying around all over the house!
48. Stay away from flat-finish paint
Flat-finish paint makes it pretty much impossible for you to clean your walls. Try cleaning it, only to remove the paint too — no, thanks!
49. Consider an indoor/outdoor rug
Indoor/outdoor rugs can be just as soft and comfy as regular rugs, except they are more durable and can handle a good amount of scrubbing and bleach. What’s not to love?
Leather is another resistant fabric to consider. Ultrasuede is also a good option — it is a machine-washable microfiber that feels pretty close to regular suede.
51. Put washable fabrics on your bed
If your pets — who are constantly peeing, pooping, and vomiting — sleep with you, prepare your bed for accidents. Use cotton bed sheets, preferably in a dark color or busy pattern to hide the shedding fur.
For bedspreads, duvet covers work great. You can take them off for a wash whenever you need.
53. Another bedding option
Matelasse coverlets are also pretty durable, despite how delicate they look.
We told you to invest in a vacuum, but we should also mention how important it is to vacuum regularly. Like, more than you think you need to. There will be so much fur hanging around, this crucial step will keep your home looking tidy.
55. Bathe and groom your pet
This might seem like it’s not really connected to your home, but it absolutely is. Getting rid of all those nasty scents that cling to your pet will ensure that your home stays smelling fresh too. Plus, it will help remove fur before it hits your floors and furniture.
If you make the time to wash your pet, you are essentially skipping a step. Then you won’t have to clean your bed, couch, and floors as often… And it is way more fun!
Why not sneak a dog or cat bed inside of an already existing piece of furniture? It’s cute and cozy, and now it is even more functional than ever before.
58. Use childproof latches
By using childproof latches, it will make it impossible for your pet to pry open cabinet doors.
You definitely don’t want your dog rummaging through the trash cans. Keep them covered at all times or even put a latch or lock on them.
It is really important to check for and block small spaces and holes inside cabinets or behind washer units.
Before you turn your dryer on, make sure your kitten didn’t jump in.
Tidy up and put away children’s toys and games. They can have small pieces that can be hazardous, and you don’t want your pet ruining your child’s things.
63. Check all of the places your vacuum cleaner can’t get
There are always going to be tiny corners and spots your vacuum can’t reach. After cleaning, go back and check all of the other crevices that could potentially be seen as dangerous.
64. Move plants out of reach
There are some plants that can be poisonous, so you want to make sure you want to get those out of reach. Hanging plants are a nice thing to consider since they are cute and have a calming effect.
It is a really good idea to make sure that all heating/air vents have covers in your home.
66. Again, you can’t be too sure…
Every now and then, bang on your car hood to make sure your kitten — or any other neighborhood cat — hasn’t gotten inside. If you are a cat owner, you understand that these are very sneaky creatures we’re dealing with!
Make sure you clean all antifreeze from the floor and driveway. Just one lick of this stuff can be absolutely lethal.
68. Have a fence in your yard
Building a fence in your yard is a great way to ensure that your pet won’t run away. You can make the fence look nice and have it tailored to your personal taste too.
69. Hang some toys on the fence
If you’re looking to get extra fancy, you can hang a couple of toys outside on the fence. It will look very put-together and creative and it will give your pup a sense of happiness when they run outside!
If you have slippery hardwood floors or if your pet is fragile and slips around a lot, you will want to close off the stairs. This way, you can make sure they never slip down them. There are lots of chic gate options to choose from.
71. Get an Evrilholder Furemover Broom
When you’re not vacuuming, you can use this handy broom to keep the house clean. Not only does it work on pretty much every surface, but it also wipes away liquid spills. Very versatile!
It sounds like a pretty funny name for a product, but you won’t be laughing when you’re in desperate need of something that will help you clean up that number 1! This is a great brand and an overall great supply to keep handy in the house.
73. DIY dog-proof cat-feeding station
Need a place to feed your cat where your dog won’t interfere? Look into building a little station just for that. Every pet deserves their own little corner.
74. Give your pup its own seat
This is actually a car seat, but it works so well as a closed-in, cozy bed. Giving your dog their own spot in the house will make them feel more relaxed and it will also minimize the time they spend shedding on the couch.
A pet door isn’t something you only see in old fashioned cartoons. It’s also really functional and a great way for your pup to move around the house!
Which pet-proof tip are you putting to the test first?
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