Pet project
Planning on getting a dog or cat? Make your four-legged friend feel at home with these tips
THE pandemic forced Brits to spend more time at home and encouraged many to adopt an animal friend – but was their house ready for a four-legged resident?
According to recent data, 62% of UK households have a cat or a dog.
Having pets requires the right amount of space and can also make a mess of your property in a hurry if the environment isn’t pet-friendly.
Here, the interior design experts at Shuttercraft (shuttercraft.co.uk) share their top tips on how to petproof a home without compromising on safety and design.
Upholstery and furniture
Whether your furry friends spend a lot of time in the human seats or just walk around the house, some fabrics are definitely to be avoided.
Velvet is a magnet for fur – so any velvet sofas or curtains would need regular cleaning.
Mohair, corduroy, velour and chenille are also to be avoided, and so are delicate materials like silk as they can get easily damaged.
For durable furniture and upholstery, it’s best to invest in high quality synthetic tapestries or smooth leather which is sure to withstand the test of the claws.
Natural materials such as wicker and wood are also a risk as a young puppy may see those legs as its new chewy toy, so if buying new furniture, go for metal accessories, like so-trendy right now
hairpin legs.
Window treatments
Pets tend to get into places us humans would never fit – so make sure blinds are cordless or the cords are consolidated to avoid any tangling or nasty accidents.
Although not a completely petproof window treatment, plantation shutters have no cords, so risks are minimised. The silent tilt option from Shuttercraft, with no visible tilt rod, provides your pet with even less to catch or play with, while still letting you control the light.
Seen as natural wood’s more affordable cousin, MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) is a real winner when it comes to pet friendly shutters. It’s more durable than natural wood – so perfect for homes with pets who like to scratch things. It also has an environmental bonus as it’s often crafted from recycled wood.
Hard flooring
Hard floors are always the winner over carpet – not just for the training period, but also for those rainy days and muddy walks.
Again, natural wood is not the best choice – as it can scratch easily and also stains very quickly.
Laminate flooring or stone or ceramic tiles are best for pet homes, but if you must have natural wood, opt for harder materials like oak.
Pet-friendly paint
When planning paint jobs, always go for durable paint – which also works wonders for homes with young children. Most paint brands offer durable wipeable paint ranges, especially suitable for high traffic areas like the entrance to the home.
That way you won’t have to worry about cleaning the dogs before they set paws through the door.
Separate areas
As much as we love our pets, there are some areas where we don’t want them to go.
Create separations between floors to restrict access or install cat flaps if you want to let them run free.
If any cords are out in the open, make sure they’re consolidated and ideally hidden – to avoid damage and risk of tangles.
Many dog owners get creative with their home design and create a special treat or play area.
It’s super easy to make with the right pet furniture – or by putting some wood and hardware accessories together.
Train your pet with treats to encourage it to go to the special area at a designated time – like a bedtime routine.