Pets are members of your family that provide you with constant companionship and unconditional love. Many pets are affectionate and playful to the point of improving your sense of wellness while reducing stress and loneliness in your life. They can even be your opportunity to get physical activity and form social bonds with other pet owners. For all the benefits of having pets in your home, many responsibilities come with them. They include vet care, feeding and bathing them, getting them exercise, and protecting your furniture.
How Does Pet-Proofing Furniture Help a Home?
Protecting your furniture from pets makes it possible to keep your home clean and clear of damage while also letting your pets enjoy freedom of movement. Routine maintenance, durable materials, and preventive choices extend the lifespan of your various pieces of furniture, so you save money instead of spending it on replacements and repairs. Pet-proofing your furniture also makes your home safer for the pets in your family. They’re less likely to have accidents, and your home has better harmony between your furry family members and your furnishings.
Pet-Proof Your Furniture With These Steps
The idea of pet-proofing your furniture might seem like a monumental task you don’t want on your to-do list, but you can break it down into individual steps that help you manage the process. Whether you do it all in one weekend or take it slow, keeping your pets and home comfortable and safe is worth it.
1. Analyze Your Home
When experts pet-proof their homes, they start by identifying problem areas. Look throughout your home for pieces of furniture that pets either interact with the most or are likely to in the future. Check everything for signs of soiling, chewing, and scratching. Understand that each pet has its tendencies, which you must prepare for. Dogs might enjoy jumping on furniture and chewing pillows and cushions, but cats are more likely to climb and scratch. Your pet-proofing efforts need to reflect the species of pets in your home and their particular inclinations.
2. Pick Pet-Friendly Materials
The process of having pet-proof furniture in your home involves protecting what you already have while making intelligent choices with new pieces that you buy in the future. Current furniture that doesn’t feature pet-resistant materials might need throws or slipcovers to avoid scratches, stains, and fur. You can easily remove these and wash them to keep your furnishings clean. When buying new furniture, look for tightly woven fabrics, microfiber, and leather. Such materials don’t attract fur as much, and you can keep them clean with less work.
3. Schedule Pet Training
One of the best ways to pet-proof a sofa is to train your pet to respect it. Assign pets designated spaces, including scratching posts and pet beds, and reward them when they use them. Consistent training should yield effective results. Simultaneously, you can discourage destructive behaviors by deterring them. Plentiful chew toys lying around should divert pets from gnawing on things you’d rather they didn’t. Likewise, double-sided tape on furnishings can prevent or minimize jumping.
4. Give Vulnerable Areas Extra Protection
You can make nearly any piece of furniture pet-friendly by applying sticky pads or scratch guards to the corners and legs that are likely to attract the attention of your pets. There are even pet-friendly sprays you can use to deter scratching.
Peaceful Coexistence Is Possible
You probably think your coexistence with your pets is anything but peaceful when storms scare them or they get the zoomies, but you can create a happy balance between them and your home. Train your pets to respect your furniture, and provide them with designated scratching posts and pet beds that are theirs alone. Choose furniture with tightly woven fabrics or leather for durable materials, and add more protection with blankets and slipcovers. Reduce shedding and scratches with regular grooming and nail trimming. The proper preventive measures and mindful care can create a space where your pets and furniture live harmoniously while you enjoy your home’s style and comfort.
By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for National Outdoor Furniture
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