Creating a dog-friendly home involves blending advice, clever tricks, and décor to make your furry friend feel wonderfully cherished. These dog-friendly home design tips for dog owners will help you take good care of your pet. Dogs might not be great roommates without the right food, playtime, comfort, and connection.
Dog-friendly Home Design Tips
With some smart tweaks and additions, you can create the ideal home setup for your dog.
1. Get a Dog-Friendly Couch
‘No dogs on furniture’ is not a rule any dog owner can reasonably enforce. A dog-friendly couch is typically easy to clean and made from a material hair won’t stick to. Leather is perfect, but if leather’s not a material you enjoy, try a tightly woven fabric: Chenille and herringbone work. However, synthetic fabrics such as microfibre can also be easily spot-cleaned.
2. Set Up Durable Flooring
Dogs have nails and claws that can easily scratch wood floors when running around. Hard surface floors are better than carpet, as carpet absorbs pee and bathroom accidents. That said, opt for something with a little more anti-slip and durability. Ceramic tiles, laminate, or vinyl are all excellent choices.
3. Set Up a Feeding Station
Create a spot in your home where your dog can come to eat and drink. Have food and water bowls set on a mat to keep spills contained. Nearby, consider setting up dog food storage to keep it organized and out of sight. If you have different brands and products, like Acana dog food, consider an organization system that makes items easy to identify.
In this area, you may also want to store dog accessories. You can keep leashes, dog poop bags, and dog toys you’re saving for a special occasion.
4. Buy a Stain-Resistant Rug
Dog accidents happen. Ensure any rugs or carpets you use are as close to stain-resistant and easy to clean as possible. Cowhide, a vintage Persian rug, or a machine-washable rug are all possibilities. Of course, you’re free to use any material for a rug. However, get ready to get on your hands and knees to scrub away pee stains as they come.
5. Dog-Friendly Toy Storage
Your dog will want to play, and you will surely want to give them toys. Without toy storage, toys can be strewn about all over the house. Have baskets or bins that blend in with your home décor. Put toys in these baskets and bins to keep your area neat. Never worry about tripping over a scattered toy again.
6. Set Up a Cozy Crate
Think about blending your dog’s crate into your home’s design. You could use it as a side table or dress it up with a cover or a decorative top. Place the crate in a quiet spot where your dog can feel safe and relaxed while still being near enough to participate in family activities. A comfy crate with a dog bed and blanket is important for your dog’s comfort.
7. Use Gates to Block off Areas
You might want to keep your dog out of certain rooms filled with toys, like a baby’s room. Use a pet or baby gate to prevent your dog from jumping in. Many people use these gates in their homes to block off areas they want to keep private. A strong, stylish gate made from wood or metal can look great with your other decor.
8. Removable Fabrics
If accidents or stains occur, such as from a dog running around the house with muddy paws, use fabrics you can remove and toss in the wash. These can be removable couch covers, blankets, quilts you don’t mind getting dirty, pillow covers, or throw blankets. In a perfect world, you should be able to remove all fabrics in your home to wash them in some capacity.
9. Lock Away Your Trash Can
A dog can get into the trash, especially a bigger dog. Keep the trash enclosed. A well-behaved dog left to their own devices may be okay with ripping apart an old pizza box or digging through a bag looking for food scraps they may have. It’s always best to lock away your garbage or anything you don’t want them exploring.
10. Remove Toxic Plants, Foods, and Medications
Plants that are toxic to dogs if ingested include lilies, poinsettias, and philodendrons. Any indoor plants you have, look online to see if they’re toxic to pets. If they are, remove them. There is also a list of foods toxic to pets, including chocolate, alcohol, avocado, coffee, coconut, grapes, and citrus. Keep all medicines and medications locked in a storage cabinet or away from being accessible to your dog.
11. Have Cleaning Tools at the Ready
Keeping your home ready for life’s messes is easy with the right cleaning supplies. A pet hair roller can safely remove pet hair from fabrics, making it look neat and fresh.
An air purifier helps remove dust and odours, keeping the air in your home clean and pleasant. A Roomba vacuum is handy for picking up dog hair that often covers your floors. A pet-friendly carpet cleaner is a must to fight dog odours in fabrics. It keeps your living space fresh and comfy.
Must Read: Tips to design a Pet Friendly House!