7 tips for a dog friendly home
If you’re a dog owner, you already know that having a fluffy four-legged friend around can bring an incredible spirit of joy and companionship into your home.
Unfortunately, for pet owners, dogs are known to be mischievous and mess is usually their middle name, especially those adorable puppies.
If you didn’t know already, April is National Pet Month, so our experts have decided to help and share 7 of the best tips for puppy-proofing your home, helping keep your furniture from being ruined in the midst of all of the chaos.
Tip #1: Think like a dog
It may sound slightly odd, but experts recommend that you start the dog-proofing process by imagining how your dog sees his or her surroundings.
Get down to your dog’s level and look for anything that could be in reach and potentially catch your dog’s eye, like unattended food sources, uncovered rubbish bins, or enticing “human toys” like the remote control.
Then, make sure there are no easy routes for your pup to paw these treasures, or install shelving too high for them to reach.
Tip #2: The use of a lint roller
Lint rollers are one incredible invention for all dog owners! Consider keeping a few within reach of your front doorway so that you can dust off before leaving the house.
It may also be worth purchasing a heavy-duty fur remover broom for your hardwood flooring, and medium-sized lint rollers to trap hair on your sofas, chairs and beds etc.
Tip #3: Choose the right doggy bed.
Your fluffy friend spends a lot of time in their doggy bed, so it’s best to choose one that won’t trap unwanted odours and hair!
Whether you’ve got one dog or a whole pack, thinking ahead on pet beds will save you a lot of time and money down the line. There are dog beds you can purchase that have removable covers made from bacteria-fighting fabric, with one of those you can simply throw it in the washing machine every week or so.
Tip #4: Towels and blankets are useful
Wherever your furry friend likes to play, there’s sure to be plenty of fur and dirt.
Luckily, you can stop the dirt in its tracks by keeping an old towel near your door, along with some cleaning supplies and a shallow container of water, this will allow you to clean their messy paws after their daily walk.
If your puppy has some favourite spots to sit throughout the house, you may want to throw down a few machine-washable blankets in those places to avoid any marks on your furniture.
Tip #5: Add an air purifier to your shopping list.
Dog dander can cause severe allergies and invite unpleasant odours into your home.
Aside from observing a regular dog grooming schedule, you can also invest in a high-quality air purifier to combat your pup’s shedding habit and keep your house smelling fresh. Try to find a purifier that has a HEPA filter, as this means it’s certified to remove 99.97% of airborne allergens.
Tip #6: Perform a full “plant audit.”
Every home needs a little bit of greenery around the house and in the garden.
Before you let your dog strut around the garden, you’ll need to double and triple-check that your plants are safe for dogs.
Common flower varieties like tulips, daffodils, and lilies are actually poisonous to dogs, and even safe plants can cause gastrointestinal distress when ingested.
Once you’ve identified any potential hazards, either replace the offending plants or find a way to block your dog’s access to that area.
Tip #7: Invest in a few dog deterrents.
No matter how old your dogs are, they love to chew on almost anything they can reach.
To protect your home—and your canine’s teeth— from damage, you should think about investing in a few easy dog deterrents.
One solution you could use is bitter apple spray, which uses all-natural ingredients to keep dogs from chewing on table legs and furniture.
You can also install baby gates throughout the house to limit access to certain rooms.
If your pet has been chewing any of your furniture then give us a call and we’ll be able to book you in, find your nearest Furniture Medic here.
