Creating a Pet-Friendly Home: Ideas and Inspirations

24 February 2024

Creating a home that caters to both human and pet needs is an art that ensures harmony and happiness under one roof. With the increasing number of households welcoming pets into their families, the concept of a pet-friendly home has gained significant attention.

Innovative brands like Bando have been at the forefront of offering solutions that enhance the living environment for pets, making it easier for owners to integrate pet-friendly toys and nutrition into their homes.

This article explores various ideas and inspirations for creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable space for your furry, feathered, or scaled friends, ensuring their well-being while maintaining the aesthetic and functionality of your home.

Designating Pet Zones

One of the first steps in creating a pet-friendly home is to designate specific areas or zones for your pets. These zones can include feeding areas, sleeping quarters, and play spaces catering to your pets’ natural habits and needs.

Establishing designated zones creates a sense of belonging and security for your pets and helps organize your space more efficiently. Incorporating pet furniture that compliments your home’s decor, such as stylish pet beds, feeding stations, and toy storage solutions, can seamlessly integrate these zones into your living environment without compromising style.

Choosing Pet-Friendly Materials and Fabrics

Selecting materials and fabrics that can withstand the wear and tear of pets is crucial in maintaining a clean and durable living space.

Opt for easy-to-clean flooring like tile, laminate, or hardwood that can resist pet nails and accidents better than carpets.

Regarding furniture, look for scratch-resistant materials, such as leather or tightly woven fabrics, that can be easily wiped down. Investing in washable slipcovers and throw rugs can make cleaning up after your pets more manageable, keeping your home fresh and tidy.

Home Decor Items Safe For Pets

This is how you protect your house and your furry friends. Achieving home safety as well as stylishness with pet care products is absolutely possible. Here are some fun and simple pointers to create a pet-friendly environment and maintain the look of your interior space.

Hard-wearing Fabrics

Go for tough, easy-to-clean materials such as fake leather, microfiber, or even outdoor fabrics when it comes to your furniture.

These materials are resistant to scratches, stains, and smells, making them perfect for families with pets.

Removable Covers

For sofas and chairs, you may think of using removable covers, which can easily be taken off whenever your furry friends make messes or leave fur behind.

Pet Rug Choices

Select rugs such as rugs made from jute, sisal, or indoor-outdoor rug brands.

The rugs stand up to heavy use, and regular washing is a must due to their resistance against pet stains and odors. Moreover, they bring aesthetic appeal into house décor.

Pet Beds

Give your pets their own cozy and comfortable beds to lounge on and put them in places where they like to be, e.g., a living room or bedroom that makes it easy for you to keep off the furniture.

Scratch-Resistant Surfaces

Invest in scratch-resistant furniture and surfaces, such as wood with a distressed finish or metal ones, so your home always looks new even after a pet has used its claws.

Toy Storage

Keep your pet’s toys organized and out of sight when not in use; this can be achieved by using stylish baskets or bins in the family living room or other rooms suitable for pets.

This will reduce messiness and make the space look neat.

Pet-friendly Plants

Choose some flowers that are safe around dogs. Spider plants, ferns, air plants, etc, can be quite dangerous for pets. Hence, should not be kept anywhere near them.

Ensure to research the different plants that are friendly to your feline pals!

If your pet is still facing issues with the plant, and it is getting them sick. It is better to get an allergen test.

Pet Gates

Barricade the areas of the house that are less safe and off-limits, for example, stairs or rooms with valuable objects.

This is meant to prevent accidents and ensure your belongings are safe, even as your pets can roam unrestrained in designated areas.

Cover Electrical Cords

Ensure that your pets can neither chew nor trip over electrical cords by concealing and tying them securely.

Use cord covers or hide cords behind furniture so the pup cannot reach them, thus preventing any potential harm.

Regular Grooming

Keep your pets looking cleaner and well-groomed to prevent shedding and eliminate pet odor in your house.

Brush them regularly, bathe them when necessary, and cut their nails to avoid scratches on the furniture and wooden floors.

With these pet-friendly decor hints woven into your home, you can design a fashionable and relaxed space for you and your fluffy companions. With the correct design and a little more effort, you can have a lovely home without hurting your lovely pets.

Ensuring Safety and Accessibility

A pet-friendly home is, above all, a safe environment for your pets. This involves pet-proofing your home by securing potentially dangerous items such as electrical cords, toxic plants, and small objects that could be ingested.

Safety gates can restrict access to certain areas, and pet doors can offer freedom for your pets to move in and out of the house or designated rooms.

Consider your pet’s age and physical capabilities when designing your space, ensuring they can easily access their favorite spots. Ramps or pet stairs can be particularly helpful for older or pets those with mobility issues.

Incorporating Interactive and Engaging Elements

Mental stimulation and physical activity are criticall for your pet’s well-being. Incorporate interactive and engaging elements into your home design to encourage play and exploration.

This can include cat trees, scratching posts, window perches, and puzzle toys strategically placed throughout your home.

For outdoor pets, consider creating a secure outdoor play area or a small pet garden where they can explore safely. These elements enrich your pet’s environment and provide essential exercise and stimulation.

Creating a Harmonious Space for Pets and People

Achieving a balance between a pet-friendly and aesthetically pleasing home is possible with thoughtful planning and design. Integrating pet elements into your decor, such as using decorative baskets for toy storage or stylish pet beds that match your furniture, can maintain the cohesive look of your home.

Embrace open-plan layouts that allow pets to be part of family activities while ensuring ample space for everyone to move around comfortably. By considering the needs and comfort of pets and humans, you can create a living space that fosters harmony and happiness for all inhabitants.

To End The Discussion!

In conclusion, creating a pet-friendly home involves thoughtful consideration of your pet’s needs while ensuring your living space’s functionality and aesthetic appeal. From designating pet zones and choosing durable materials to ensuring safety and incorporating interactive elements, there are numerous ways to make your home welcoming and comfortable for your pets.

Brands like Bando pets play a pivotal role in offering solutions that cater to the modern pet owner’s needs, helping to create environments where pets can thrive. Following these ideas and inspirations, pet owners can achieve a home that celebrates the joy and companionship pets bring, creating a sanctuary cherished by all family members, including furry ones.

Deepanwita Dey

Deepanwita is a seasoned practitioner of ‘jumping the ship’. She started out her journey with literature and now holds a double graduation degree, one of which is in psychology. As a result, she is now using this skill to help confused job seekers to pick a direction. Given her academic background, her writing is laden with analytical analogies and deep research. As one of Content Rally’s most regular contributors, readers can find a sense of confidence in her writing.

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Ways To Calm Your Anxious Dog

Humans experience anxiety in different situations. Some become nervous in a crowd, others when they are home alone. Did you know that dogs can be anxious, too? If their owner leaves abruptly or doesn’t consider the environment safe, you’ll notice a change in their behavior. How to recognize anxiety and calm your dog? That’s what we are trying to discover in this guide, so let’s check out what you can do if your pet is anxious! How Do I Know If My Dog Has Anxiety? Each dog has different ways of exhibiting anxiety. The most common symptoms include: Pacing around restlesslyBarking excessivelyDestructive behavior, such as destroying stuffPanting and droolingDefecating and urinating indoorsAggressive behaviorShiveringAppetite loss The common anxiety causes include separation from their owners and various fears. Age-related factors and medical conditions could also make your dog anxious. Tips For Calming Anxiety In Dogs Prevention is the best medicine, so it’s best to minimize the risk of anxiety episodes even happening. If you recognize a situation that makes your dog anxious, try to avoid it in the future. Here are some other tips that could assist in calming your dog down! 1. Exercise Your Dog More energy equals a bigger risk of becoming anxious. Let’s say you need to leave your pup home alone for several hours. It helps to take them out for a walk or an exercise session. You can bond while playing fetch and ensure your pet doesn’t have excessive energy when they return home. The chemical component is also important. For example, physical activity stimulates endorphin production. That offers stress relief and promotes a better mood. 2. Physical Contact If you notice your pup is going through an anxiety attack, the primary priority becomes soothing them. They see their owner as trustworthy, so use that to your advantage. You can try putting the pup in your lap, petting them, cuddling them, or whatever you know works. This should last for at least a few minutes until they calm down. 3. Time-Out It might not be possible to stop your dog’s anxiety attack. If you know that’s impossible, create a safe zone for those episodes. You need to explain to your pup that’s where they’ll feel secure during an anxiety attack. The “time-out” zone should secure isolation and promote calmness. You can dim the lights, play some slow music, and even use calming scents. Don’t forget that you should eliminate noise coming from the outside. Dog Anxiety: Treatment You have multiple approaches to treating anxiety in dogs. But it’s necessary to talk to a professional to identify the best method for your pup. They are capable of identifying the anxiety type, trigger, and cause. It’s even more important that vets can eliminate medical conditions as reasons why your dog is anxious. Here are the common approaches used to treat pup anxiety! Using CBD for Dog Anxiety People use cannabis strains and marijuana products with a high CBD content to treat anxiety, stress, pain, and other issues. Some pet owners report that pups could also benefit from CBD oil. It’s necessary to perform research to get confirmation, but sporadic data is encouraging. You should consult your vet about a suitable dose for your pup. The general rule is to apply from one to five milligrams of CBD per ten pounds of the dog’s weight. You should start slowly to see how your dog reacts and increase the dosage only if necessary. i. Can Pets Have Cannabis? Cannabis interacts with the inner endocannabinoid system. It exists in both humans and dogs, but pups have more receptors in the brain. That means marijuana might have a stronger effect on these animals, especially since they are generally lighter than humans. Pets can have cannabis, but caution is advised. Cannabis intoxication isn’t uncommon in dogs, especially due to exposure to edibles. In addition, your pup doesn’t know when they had enough marijuana treats. You need to be careful and observe your pup’s behavior closely. ii. Is Pet CBD Legal in the US? Cannabis products are legal on a federal level in the United States. The condition is the THC content shouldn’t be higher than 0.3%. As for the state laws, each territory has the right to apply specific legislation to marijuana use. For example, Florida cannabis laws only allow medical use of marijuana, although many other states also legalized using it for recreational purposes. Likewise, human laws don’t apply to animals, but you should check with a veterinarian before giving your dog CBD. Anxiety Medications For Dogs Vets will begin by recommending natural remedies, such as supplements, calming scents, and avoiding potential triggers. But if they diagnose your pup has an anxiety disorder, they could prescribe antidepressants and SSRIs. Benzodiazepine could also help, especially when the anxiety trigger is familiar (firecrackers, travels, etc.). Training and Counterconditioning You could try training your dog on how to respond to the anxiety trigger. Instead of exhibiting aggressive behavior, the goal is that they act more positively. For example, if they start feeling anxious, they lie down or come to you. An alternative could be removing the fear from the trigger. For example, if your dog is afraid of cars, begin by only asking them to get in for several days. The next step is going only around the block for weeks. As their tolerance level increases, you can take them on longer rides. Also Read: The Pros And Cons Of Adopting A Puppy Vs. An Older DogWhat To Look For And What To Avoid In Healthy Dog Treats5 Reasons Why Your Child Needs A Dog

A Quick Look At Dog Bite Statistics And Increasing Safety

Americans, as a whole, love their dogs. Many millions of American households are home to at least one pooch, and many families keep multiple dogs. Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years. They are generally friendly, and they become productive members of households. Dog bites remain common. Many of these bites are relatively harmless, resulting in no substantial injury. However, some people do end up needing to seek medical treatment. Sadly, some people pass away from injuries sustained by dog bites, although fatalities are rare. If you or a loved one have been injured, you should speak with a lawyer. You may receive compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other things. You can search for a dog bite lawyer in the Detroit area or for a lawyer based nearest you. Curious about dog bite data and increasing safety? Read on! Looking at the Data Regarding Dog Bites Data covering dog bites can come from many different sources. Immediately, one clear challenge emerges: data collection is often sporadic, and the methods used by different organizations and by researchers at different times. As a result, they may make the data hard to compare. For example, the Centers for Disease Control has conducted various studies over the years. But they need to collect and publish standardized statistics on the issue regularly. Some of the most commonly cited statistics conclude that 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. Roughly 800,000 require medical treatment. However, this data comes from a CDC study examining bites from 2001 to 2003. It’s hard to say if this data still accurately reflects the situation in recent years. On the one hand, dog ownership has increased, so perhaps dog bites are increasing. On the other hand, increased education and efforts to ensure healthier human-dog relationships may result in fewer bites. Dog Biting Statistics Moving further away from the dog statistics, the average cost per claim for dog attacks keeps on escalating from the year 2003 to that of 2017. They are driven by the increasing cost of medication and the higher settlements. According to a study, around 28000 dog attacks resulted in hospitalization (the figures range between the years 1993 to that of the year 2008). The statistics kept on increasing therefrom. Presently, a dog bite treatment in a hospital (hospital stay) costs around $18200. Looking at the number of dog attacks on US postal employees in 2019, one can understand cities notorious for dog bites. They include Chicago, Los Angles, Dallas, Columbus, Philadelphia, Toledo, and others. These figures point out the increasing number of dog bites and also the cost of treatments. The concerns keep mounting high with time. The Most Crucial Statistics Let us know about some of the most crucial statistics on the dog bite. According to statistical figures, almost around 4.5 million people became victims of dog bites. Nearly half of them are children. Around 70% o dog bites are untreated. Dog bite accounts for around 46 fatalities, as recorded in 2019. The Pitbull and the Rottweiler are responsible for 77% of dog bites. According to global figures, millions of dog bites occur Annually! These statistical figures call for introspection; therefore, the concerned authorities must be aware of the dog bites. It is important for the sake of awareness. Keeping Children and Safety in Mind With Canines Children rank among the most vulnerable to dog bites, and educating them to reduce the risk of bites is important. Since children are not as large or robust as the typical adult, they are more vulnerable to injury. Further, many children don’t understand how to interact with dogs properly. What may seem like innocent rough play may cause a lot of harm to canines. If a child injures a dog, it may be more likely to bite. It’s important for parents to properly educate children on dogs and how to interact with them. Supervision at home is crucial for households with both kids and dogs. It’s also wise to teach children not to approach strays or unknown dogs. While many dogs are friendly, some may be dangerous. Also, larger dogs can pose more of a threat. Even if a small dog bites a child or adult, it will likely do less damage. A larger dog, no matter the specific breed, will be able to inflict more damage if it should decide to bite someone. Remember, if you’re looking for a dog for your family. What If A Dog Bites Your Child You need to be mindful of health and safety measures when the dog bites your child (especially if it is not your own dog). At the same time, you also need to take your kids to the emergency department. Though rate, infections like rabies and others are fatal. Therefore you must not delay at all and take your child to the nearby hospital for treatment. Your doctor will let you know if the child needs stickers or if antibiotics will suffice. Moreover, you can help your doctor by providing some important tips on the risk factors associated with dog bites. You can name the location of the dog’s owners. It will enable the doctor to procure updated data on the vaccinations. It can also help you understand whether or not the dog attacked was provoked or unprovoked. If the attack was unprovoked, let the doctor know if the dog is sick. It might completely affect the treatment decision. Have You Safely HENDled Them? Take note of some of the safest ways to handle dogs so that you do not have to be in trouble. Never try to squeeze the dog too tightly as they feel uncomfortable. Also, never tease them by pulling the ears and tail tightly. It is a sensitive organ. Do not disturb the dog when they are eating. Dogs give their utmost concentration while they are eating. If you do it, be prepared to face the heat. Never put your fingers before them, especially when they are eating. These precautions can save you from dog bites. Read Also: When Every (Dog) Year Counts: The Pros and Cons of Adopting a Puppy vs. An Older Dog 4 Cool Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Service Dogs What Can You Do When Bitten By a Dog?

Celebrities and Their Pets: 5 Reasons Why They Love to Take Pictures With Them

Celebrities love their pets, and they often like to take pictures with their pets because those pictures look great on social media. If you are thinking of how you can get the kind of following that a celebrity does, you need to make certain that you have read up on why they take all these pictures with their pets. You could build an account with your pets that will make them very happy, help you have fun, and build your list of followers. Maintaining social media pages for pets is becoming quite the rage. You will be surprised to know that pages on pets have millions of followers. This helps make your pet a celebrity on social media. Not only that, Instagram, Facebook, and other social platforms allow pet pages to have the coveted ‘blue marked’ authentic tick! This means that according to social media platforms, these pages contribute real value to the platform. If you are looking to convert your cat or dog into a social media Influencer, you need to take note of this article. Within a year, your pet could be signing endorsement deals worth thousands of dollars with pet product manufacturing companies. 1. They Have Interesting Pets: Celebrities often have exotic pets because they can afford to care for these pets. These pets are very interesting, and they could be something that plays right into the personality of the celebrity. This could be something like a snake, or it could be as interesting as an exotic bird or cat. It all depends on what the person likes. If you look at celebrities throughout history, Mike Tyson had a tiger. That says a lot about his personality. Slash had snakes. These pets are a pure embodiment of the person. 2. They Are Cute: Pets are cute, and celebrities just want people to love their pets as much as they do. This is something that people need to take a look at, and it is very smart for people to consider that their pets look just like these pets. However, some celebrities will raise their pets to the level of celebrity. 3. The Celebrity Pet: There are celebrity pets that are celebrities in their own right. These pets are often on their own social media accounts, and the celebrities like to show them off. This is just a fun thing to do that most people would not do on their own. Because of this, the pets could garner even more appeal than the person that owns them. 4. Monetized Social Media: Monetizing social media is something that people can do very easily. If you are not sure how to do this, you can follow the example for eh celebrities who came before you. 5. They Want To Feel Normal: Celebrities live in the public eye, and they often cannot go into public alone. When their pets are part of the story, these celebrities will be much more likely to truly human in these posts because they are just enjoying time with their pets. Plus, these are fun things for the public to see every day. Conclusion: Keeping a pet can be the most satisfying experience of your life. Their unconditional love and warmth can help you tide over the most difficult of situations. However, you can also use your pet to help others get inspiration, warmth, and love. Nothing is more joyful and satisfying than acute and lovable dog telling you on social media that it is there for you. It might sound stupid, but trust me it really helps. Read Also: Amazing Facts You Need To Know About Corgis Get A New Leash On Life: 10 Reasons Why Everyone Should Have A Pet

Creating a Pet-Friendly Home: Ideas and Inspirations

Designating Pet Zones

Choosing Pet-Friendly Materials and Fabrics