Did you know that more than 60 percent of American households include a dog, according to the 2018 National Pet Owners Survey?
Over the past few decades, dogs have gone from being used as hunting and security assistants to being considered important members of the family, which is, I’m sure, what God intended.
Almost all dog owners in the US live with their dogs inside their homes and if asked, most of them will say they cannot imagine life without their furry friends. If you’re reading this blog, I know you feel the same way.
However, living with a dog does have its challenges, since most homes are designed primarily for humans. Luckily, there are many small design changes that you can make to your home more dog-friendly, whether you are designing a new home or upgrading to your existing abode.
Keep reading as I share some tips to create a dog-friendly home that both you and your mutt will appreciate.
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3 Tips to Create a Dog-Friendly Home
1. Install hard surface floors
The rule you should follow when choosing a favorable floor type for your dog is the harder the better. With your dog running around your home all day, you want flooring that is scratch-proof, durable, and easy to clean.
Carpeted floors are never a good idea when you live with dogs. Carpets are easily ruined by dog claws and even worse, they collect unbelievable amounts of dog hair, dirt, and a host of bacteria that can contribute to allergies and other ailments.
Did you know that carpets are also a breeding ground for fleas, ticks, and other yucky things that your dog may bring into the home?
The best dog-friendly flooring includes laminate, ceramic tile, and stone. These are hard surfaces, easy to clean, and have the added benefit of keeping your furry friend cool during the hot days.
If you must have wooden floors, opt for harder woods like mahogany that won’t scratch or stain easily.
2. Install an electronic dog door
One of the best gifts you can give your dog is the ability to go in and out of the house whenever she wants, as long as she has a secure outdoor area.
There are going to be times when your dog needs to potty but you’re not around to let her out. An electronic dog door allows your pet to go in and out of the house when necessary, preventing accidents inside the home.
When installing a dog door, make sure that you have taken the necessary precautions to provide your dog with a safe and secure outdoor space. This should include a fenced yard, plenty of shade, and fresh water. Without these basic safety features, your dog should never be left outdoors unattended.
3. Pet-proof your house
Pet proofing your home is a necessity for your dog’s safety, as well as your own. For example, adding pet gates in areas that you don’t want your dog to access, like the kitchen, can prevent injuries to your pet while you are cooking.
You can also prevent injuries by having lots of open spaces where your dog can move freely without bumping into sharp edges of furniture.
Be sure to keep medications, cleaning supplies, and other toxic materials in an area of your home that is not accessible by your dog.
To protect your furniture, you can invest in attractive furniture covers that are easy to remove and wash.
Just like you, your dog wants to live in a safe and comfortable environment. By incorporating a few dog-friendly ideas into your home design, you can transform it into a living space that your dog will love and feel at home in, and isn’t that what every dog mom wants?
What tips can you share?
Do you have tips for creating a dog-friendly home? Share them with me in a comment below, or stop by my private Facebook group for dog moms and join in the conversation there!
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Christina, Khareem Sudlow
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