Creating a Safe and Snuggly Home for Your Furry Friends

The happiest pets are loved and well-cared for, but there’s more to this than feeding them organic food and daily playtimes. Your pets are family members who share your living space daily, so their comfort is as important as yours.

Taking a “pet’s-eye view” of each room can uncover unexpected risks, help you eliminate them, and make safe, clever adjustments to keep your dogs and/or cats healthier and content.

Unseen Hazards Lurking at Home

You might be surprised by the number of everyday items that pose risks to pets. For example:

• Common houseplants like lilies, sago palms, and pothos are toxic to pets if ingested; replace those with pet-safe alternatives like spider plants, Boston ferns, or areca palms.
• Household cleaners containing ammonia, bleach, or phenols can harm pets through direct contact or fumes. Tuck chemical cleaners into a locked cabinet, and look for gentler, pet-safe swaps to use around the house.
• Chocolate, xylitol (in sugar-free products), and produce like grapes and onions are foods that are toxic to pets, so put them in places your pets cannot access.
• Small things like rubber bands, paper clips, and children’s toys can become choking hazards or cause intestinal blockages if swallowed.
• Electrical cords present shock and strangulation risks, so secure them with cord protectors or hide them behind furniture.

Try this first: Get down on all fours and view your home from your pet’s perspective. That’ll help you spot tempting dangly objects, accessible chemicals, or small gaps where curious pets might get stuck.

Accommodating Your Home for Furry Friends

Dogs often need more attention and home adjustments than cats; small and larger canines need training and regular walks and can’t be left alone as long as self-sufficient cats can. Still, certain DIY accommodations help both you and your pets.

Frustrated by having to constantly get up and down to let your dog or cat in or out? Pet doors solve that problem. Many pet owners also install fences to keep their pets on their properties.

Apart from that, you can replace flooring with scratch-resistant materials like vinyl or tile and install slip-resistant floor treads on steps. Pet messes are easier to manage when surfaces are stain-resistant and less likely to trap smells, fur, or allergens. Vacuum often, wash pet bedding weekly, groom dogs outside, and use HEPA filters and air purifiers.

Your HVAC system contributes to a pet-friendly home as well, but you need to maintain it. Long-haired pets can clog filters fast, so regular duct cleanings and filter swaps every month or two are a smart move. Update the thermostat if it’s an older version—program it to keep your furry companion comfortable when you’re not home. Regular, professional A/C and heating maintenance is also essential in homes with pets.

Designing a Dedicated Pet Zone

Your dog or cat deserves a dedicated space to call their own. It gives them comfort and security. Find a cozy spot away from high-traffic areas where they can see family activities; the goal is to lower stress and keep them feeling included.

You don’t need to overspend on a designer version, they might not even like. A DIY pet bed will do just fine, and you don’t even have to be a tailor to make it. Start with a pet-friendly fabric like microfiber, cotton, or even denim. It should be durable and easy to clean. From there, pick out a soft fabric like sherpa as a liner, form the bed shape, add stuffing, and sew it together.

A pet zone should have soothing colors like soft blues, lavenders, or muted greens throughout. Keep a speaker in the room for calming music if you have one to spare. Cats, in particular, usually enjoy enclosed spaces and high shelves that mimic natural hiding spots.

It should also be practical, so add storage for toys, treats, and supplies. You can leave toys in decorative baskets, but it makes sense to hide food, leashes, and pet medications in storage ottomans or repurposed dressers.

P.S.: A pet zone is a fine place for a pet door.

House-Wide Enhancements Your Pets Will Love

Clever features throughout the rest of your house will make life more enjoyable for your pets. If you need inspiration, here are a few to consider:

• Install ramps or pet steps to help older or smaller pets access furniture or beds without jumping. Younger cats will also love these.
• Create window perches for cats to spy on birds and squirrels.
• Convert under-stair spaces into cozy pet hideaways (but have proper ventilation and lighting there).
• Add a pet fountain so they can drink up on their own time.

Simple upgrades like these don’t need to overtake your home’s aesthetic. Look for ones that blend in with your home’s style while improving your pet’s quality of life. Window shelves with comfy cushions provide cats with hours of entertainment, and an unused hallway alcove may be a fine spot for a litter box.

Building a Pet-Centered Home

Creating a pet-friendly home honors your pets’ loving role in your life. Address potential hazards, give them space, and add tweaks for security and comfort. If they don’t like a particular material or the window ledge is too narrow, make some adjustments.

Remember that your pet’s needs may change over time. Puppies and kittens require different safety considerations than senior pets who have trouble going up steps. Regularly reassess your home setup as your pets age, and keep the environment supportive of their well-being.

The heart of creating a pet-friendly home is thoughtfulness, so each space should function for all family members, including those with four legs. When you design your home to address everyone’s needs, safety and snuggles naturally follow.