Those of us who live with pets learn quickly the importance of pet-friendly design. Enjoying pets is much easier when you don't have to worry about delicate fabrics or fragile knick-knacks within the animals' reach, and when your home has conveniences to help with pet-care tasks.
There are lots of things you can do to accommodate pet-friendly living. Easy-to-clean flooring and furniture are musts! Avoid wall-to-wall carpeting if possible. If you hate having to walk the dog before your morning coffee, then you'll appreciate a securely fenced yard. A doggie door will give you even more peace of mind -- especially if your dog spends many hours home alone.
For cats, strategically-placed scratching posts will go a long way to protect your furniture. If your cat refuses to use the scratching post, try a different style. Some cats are choosy about whether they scratch upright or on-the-floor. Keep in mind, too, that scratching requires a good stretch, so many cats will ignore a post that is too short.
If your cats like to entertain themselves by pushing objects off high places, don't bother trying to fight it. You'll save yourself a lot of heartache if you just remember not to place breakables near the edge of shelves or counters.
If you are interested in pet-friendly home remodeling, check out our "pet-friendly home" board on Pinterest for ideas. Or, click here to read and article about pet-friendly home remodeling.
