For many families, pets contribute some of the feelings of warmth and comfort they associate with their homes. More than half of all U.S. households have a pet of some kind. According to a survey done by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, these homes include 77.6 million cats and 65 million dogs.

Of course, some challenges come along with the companionship and loyalty pets provide. Your Golden Retriever does a great job of protecting your home – but how do you protect your home from him?

Protecting Your Home: Julia Szabo, author of Animal House Style: Designing a Home to Share with Your Pets, advocates using semi-gloss paint to protect walls from oil stains from loose pet hair and pets rubbing against walls.
She also says bare floors (wood, tile, stone or laminate) with area rugs are a better choice than wall-to-wall carpeting for homes with pets. Carpeting traps pet hair, stains and odors. Bare floors are much easier to keep clean and won’t be damaged by “accidents.”

Katherine Salant, author of The Brand New House Book, warns the one place that your house should be carpeted is the stairs, because dogs – especially “seniors” and puppies – can slip on them.

It’s also wise to secure small area rugs with a non-stick mat or some heavy furniture – or your pet’s activities may turn them into “scatter” rugs.

The simpler window treatments now popular are a boon for pet owners. Sheer curtains, blinds and shades harbor less dust and pet hair than heavy drapes.

Durable, washable slip covers help keep furniture clean. If your pet is trained to stay off the furniture, you may want to purchase some coordinating fabric to cover a large floor pillow just for him.

Special Pet Amenities: In an article written for the Valley Humane Society in Pleasanton, California, pet owner Sue Jones shares the following practical ways to create an attractive, comfortable haven for families and pets.

Some architectural elements to consider in your home might include:

1. Built-in dog ‘dens’ beneath custom cabinets (to keep dogs from getting under foot during meal preparation);

2. Indoor bathing and grooming stations (often in mud or laundry rooms – see drawing below);

3. Pull-out drawers acting as tuck-away feeding stations;

4. Gates that work like sliding pocket doors to limit a pet’s access to another room;

5. Indoor structural ramps and beams for kitties to roam about the upper reaches of your ceiling; and

6. Accessible, built-in food storage areas."

“Design materials,” Jones continues, “include a new carpet called Pet-Agree® with a waterproof polyethylene backing that prevents urine from reaching the carpet pad. Decorating with imitation suede or ‘ultra suede’ discourages scratching. A tightly quilted, very durable fabric called matelasse is recommended for bed coverings.

Backyard landscaping could include a separate dirt pit apart from your flower garden for the pet that needs to bury his treasures. Try a Kitty Aviary or a Kitty Walk for your indoor cats to safely enjoy the outdoors. Plan a garden path to include small bridges and tunnels for terriers to explore. Plant a beautiful garden with non-toxic plants. Add a continuous water fountain for your pets to enjoy clean water and stay hydrated.”

Protecting Your Pet: In her popular book Beautiful Places, Spiritual Spaces, author Sharon Hanby-Robie adds these suggestions to keep pets safe:

“Just like children, you must pet-proof your home. Lock cabinet doors to keep little paws from opening them. Keep trash cans covered or safely behind locked cabinet doors. Be sure your garage is safe by keeping rakes and shovels out of the way, so they don’t get knocked over. Clean the floor of any oil or antifreeze puddles since one lick can be deadly. Consider installing an invisible fence. It works great for dogs and cats alike.”

A little careful forethought inside and outside your home will make it easier for you and your four-legged friends to live harmoniously for years to come.

Source:  Herhome.com