Getting a pet is a wonderful idea for many households – until you take them home! Kittens and puppies can cause a serious amount of damage to your home decor – and will continue to do so unless you can train them properly. But the training aspect is only one part of the issue – what are you supposed to do with the mess they make? In this guide, we’re going to go through a few things you do to clear up the mess and protect our decor from disaster. Let’s get started right away.
Avoid expensive furniture when training young animals
It should go without saying. But if one week you buy an expensive rug, carpet, or couch, and the next you buy a puppy, you are asking for trouble. It can take anything up to a year or eighteen months to train a young animal, and there will still be moments when they go wild. So, go for cheap, durable options instead. Look for seagrass mats, for example, instead of thick pile rugs.
Take care of your carpet
Carpets are a nightmare when it comes to owning pets. They trap the most horrendous odors that might need professional help. If you have ever experienced the smell of cat urine, for example, you will know it’s time to call in a carpet cleaner. It’s not just the smell, either – carpets also trap pet hair. The solution is always to go for a low-pile carpet and avoid using laying it in every room. You might even try carpet tiles, as you can replace them if the stains just can’t be fixed.
Bits and pieces
Got anything fragile that you proudly display on your units? If so, get rid of them for the foreseeable future. Dogs, especially, have a lack of spacial awareness around the house. It only takes the slightest bit of excitement for them to bump into a dresser full of delicate knick knacks and they will all come tumbling down. Cats like to explore high places, too, and even though they are agile, they can still cause plenty of accidents. Stick to wall hangings, paintings, and photo frames on your walls.
Mud!
Your pets will love being outdoors, and don’t have the same ideals as you when it comes to leaving a trail of mud in the home. The solution? There’s no getting around it; you have to make sure their entry points are impervious to any issues. Make sure your catflap leads into a stone or tiled floor, that is easy to clean. And always use that same door when you come back from a walk. Dogs will soon get into the habit, and you will find that their mess is confined to one area.
Grooming
We mentioned pet hair above, but it’s worth doing so again. If your cat or dog has long hair, it’s essential to make sure you groom them well. Otherwise, your home will be a constant source of hair. You will have it on your clothes, your furniture, and it will ingrain into your floor. It even floats through the air, which is terrible for asthma sufferers. Groom them well, and often – it can make a big difference to your home decor.
