Style Advice: Pet Proof Your Home

April is National Pet Month; a month in which different events and campaigns are organised to raise awareness of all the responsibilities that come with looking after furry friends. If you have a dog or a cat, you’ll know that keeping your house clean, tidy and safe for them is sometimes a bit of a challenge. Of course, other pets can make their fair share of mess too, but since dogs and cats are usually the only ones that can roam around the house freely and unsupervised, this blog focuses on making your home suitable for them while staying stylish!

If you’re anything like us, you might not be able to ignore your pooch’s puppy dog eyes stare while you relax on the sofa, begging you to let them up. Claws aren’t usually kind to sofas, so you often have to say no. However, if your dog is a little on the rebellious side, he or she might jump up for a snooze on the sofa while you are out anyway.

In this case, it’s best to protect designer sofas. Throws and blankets will help shield your sofa’s material from sharp claws, and of course they will add a comfort to any interior. Our range of Oyuna throws, such as the Uno and Teva collections, pictured below, will infuse hygge style into your living room while acting as a barrier helping to stop your sofa getting scratched or ripped.

There are many things you can do to pet proof your home, but it will all depend on your pet. If you have a dog that likes to chew, or a cat that likes to scratch, staying away from designer furniture with exposed wooden features is a clear solution. Rugs are also a great way to protect wooden flooring from scratch marks, while they will add warmth to your home. Washable rugs, like the Atipico Nordic Rugs in sand and cocoa are ideal, though rugs may not be the best idea until your pets are house trained!

Setting boundaries and only allowing your pets in certain rooms are good precautions so they don’t destroy all of your furniture. Though watching your pet sleep soundly in your bed is adorable, the hairs, mess and smell they sometimes leave is not worth it! Keeping your pets out of your bedroom is a good place to start, especially with cats as they are notorious for plucking bed linen!

If pet hair is bothering you in your home, invest in a vacuum with a special pet hair attachment or in a good lint roller. We know you don’t want to be spending all of your time cleaning, so investing in different home accessories like throws, blankets and pillows that are a similar colour to your pets will help conceal some hair. Finding a bed for your dog or cat is also a good way to contain some of the mess. Though it may take a little time for them to get used to it, it is often worth sticking with it.

Hopefully these tips will help you create a pet friendly home that is comfortable, stylish and practical!