There are practical things you can do to ‘pet-proof’ your surroundings and so today, I’m going to share some tips to getting a great looking house that won’t go to the dogs – or the cats.

Flooring

First off, if you have pets, you’ll know how hard it is to keep wall-to-wall carpeting looking good. Upset tummies, potty training, cat sick – carpets have a way of absorbing stains and odors that are difficult to get out once they’ve set in place. Add to that, continuous loop fabric is an invitation to cats to get their nails in and pull, leading to messy, stained carpeting in no time. Best to avoid carpeting then, if possible.

If you really must have carpet, consider non-looped low pile ones which cats can’t pull or consider carpet tiles which can be individually replaced when Fido gets an upset tummy because he’s raided your bin again.

Wood floors are easier to maintain although regularly trimming your pet’s nails will keep it from becoming scratched.

Ceramic tiled flooring is your best bet in the war against stains and accidents. Simple to keep clean, stain-resistant and available in a myriad of styles and colours, a simple hoover and mop will keep your flooring looking like new.

Of course, regular hoovering and cleaning will always be necessary – weekly or daily depending upon your pet – no matter what flooring you choose. Hair has a tendency to trap dirt and oils, transferring to clothing and furnishings more easily. So consider a vacuum that’s specifically meant for picking up animal hair.

Upholstery

There’s little wonder why many pet owners shy away from light coloured fabrics when pets are in the home as these can show up every hair from Fluffy’s coat. But it’s not just hair you need to worry about – pets bring with the dirt and dander which can easily stain fabric and again, the fabric you choose may be an invitation for a little nail sharpening. Choosing pet-friendly fabrics such as microsuede, distressed leather and Cyrpton may be a better alternative, allowing a little more resistance to the normal wear and tear of use.

For my own home, I’ve found velvet to be a wonderful option for my cats as it’s a non-looped fabric and so they can’t get their claws in it. However, it is a bit of a magnet for fur so regular hoovering with a brush is a necessity.

You can also opt for a slip-covered sofa which can be easily washed when required or use a throw to cover your furniture that marries with your decor.

Bedding

I love my white bedding but with one black cat and one with leopard style markings, it means quite frequent washing and hoovering of my bedding (the dog’s not allowed on the bed – we had to draw the line somewhere!). An easier option than what I’ve gone for is to use a patterned or darker duvet so that when Fluffy curls up between washings, the hair is less noticeable.

Using duvets is practical as they can be removed and washed regularly. If you are worried about cat sick, use a thick mattress protector to ensure there’s no lasting damage. If you are looking for something a little more elegant, consider tightly woven mattalasse covers as the fabric won’t catch on any animal nails and will wear well with repeated washings.

Accessories

There’s little point in displaying a highly prized collection of ceramics if Fluffy likes to get up on surfaces or Fido has a large tail that wags everything into submission. Instead, house any breakables behind glass-doored cabinets so you can still enjoy them. If you have a beautiful rug you’d love to use but are afraid of your pets destroying it, why not hang it on the wall as art? Speaking of art, consider investing in beautiful wall hangings to accessorise your surroundings where curious or clumsy animals can’t reach it.

Paint

While completely matt finishes may be in vogue right now and will hide the imperfections in your wall, with pets around, you’ll probably need something that’s a little easier to clean unless you want to be repainting every year. Using a satin or eggshell finish will make the job easier to wipe away any dirty paw prints. White again here may be impractical – use the opportunity to bring a little colour to your walls to lessen the damage that pets may do.

Tidying

While nothing is really entirely pet proof, regularly cleaning and tidying will go a long way in ensuring you won’t be replacing things in your home more often than you might need to. Giving Fido a regular bath means loose hair, dirt and dander will wash down the drain rather than end up on your favourite chaise lounge.

Image Credits: Swoon Worthy, Desire to Inspire, Desire to Inspire, Burlap and Lace via A Beautiful Mess, Desire to Inspire, Chalky0528 on Instagram