When you’re welcoming a new furry family member into your home, it’s an exciting time.
So how can you pet-proof your home to make settling in stress-free? Here are our top tips.
Dog Zone
It’s a great idea to create a designated dog zone in your home, especially while you’re house-training. Try to restrict your pup to areas with hard floors such as the kitchen or utility room. This is really useful when you need to leave your dog home alone, and will make it much easier to clean up any little accidents.
Bed Time
Provide your dog with cozy and inviting beds in different areas of your home. This will encourage them to nap in their own spot rather than on your furniture!
Paw Protection
While you might plan to train your new pup to stay off the furnishings, it will take a while for them to catch on. In the meantime, pet-proof your sofas and chairs with washable throws which provide a barrier against muddy paws and accidental spills. Choose fabrics that machine wash and dry quickly, and avoid pale colours! Washable rugs are a great option to protect your carpets in high traffic areas.
Wash those paws
Picture the scene. You and your pup are home from an exciting outdoor adventure. You unlock the door, and bend to take off your shoes. But before you can catch him, your pooch is dashing through every room, leaving a trail of muddy footprints. And now he’s heading for the bedrooms…
Keep an old towel by the door and make it a routine to wipe your dog’s paws after every walk to prevent mud and dirt being tracked inside.
If you have a professional dog walker, make sure they know where to find spare towels so they can wipe your pup’s feet when they bring them home.
If your adventures are extra-muddy, you might want to invest in a portable dog wash to wash away the dirt before it makes its way onto your carpets.
Accident Kit
Even the most well-behaved dog will have the occasional accident, and when you’re house-training it’s a good idea to be prepared. Keep a dog-friendly stain remover handy to tackle spills before they cause stains and odours.
Bicarbonate of soda is a cheap, effective and eco-friendly option. Urine is acidic, so the alkaline powder neutralises smells. Sprinkle the powder over carpets and furnishings, leave for 20 minutes then vacuum. Keep your dog out of the way, as bicarbonate of soda can be toxic to dogs if ingested in large quantities. And always spot test first to make sure the bicarbonate of soda doesn’t discolour your furnishings.
For fast action on heavier stains, blot the area first with kitchen roll to remove as much as possible. Then mix equal amounts of white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda to make a runny paste. Apply to the soiled area, leave for a few minutes then sponge it up. Vacuum when the area is dry.
The Hoover Habit
Avoid a build up of dust bunnies with regular vacuuming. A quick daily vac of high traffic areas and soft furnishings will make a big difference to your home – and your clothes. Use your vacuum’s attachments to get into the crevices between sofa cushions and along skirting boards where fluff can gather.
If you’re thinking of investing in a new vacuum, now is the time to choose a model with special pet features. Motorised tools are more effective for shifting hair and fluff, and and a HEPA filter will ensure your vacuum is picking up dander particles. You can read about our favourite pet vacuums here.
Focus on the fun
Welcoming a dog into your home is a special time full of fun, and it’s tiring too. A few preparations to pet-proof your space will cut down on stress so you can enjoy making memories together.
