Pet Proofing your Living Room

Getting a new furry addition to your family is an incredibly exciting time, when it comes to bringing them home how do we plan to welcome them into our home and feel safe? Toys and pet beds are a great place to start, making your new furry friend feel calm and enjoy their new space rather than feeling scared or overwhelmed.

So what steps are people taking to get ready to welcome their new pet home? We’ve surveyed our consumer to find out what measures they have put in place, what research they did ahead of purchasing their new, as well as the damage and cleaning costs that have come along with them.

Tips for welcoming your new furry friend home

Welcoming a new pet home, it is important to make sure they have a safe space, whether that’s a new dog bed, or a cosy corner filled with blankets and cushions. Giving your pet a safe space will mean they are more comfortable and feel safe when you need to pop out and leave them home alone.

Training is a really important time for new puppies especially, if you can nail the basic commands getting your puppy to settle into your home will make life much easier. That’s not to say there won’t be a few accidents along the way!
 

Brits attitudes towards pet proofing and cleaning

From our survey, 17% said they researched the tolerance of their chosen breed for being left home alone and for how long.

When it comes to pet proofing, the most commonly bought item was a stair gate, which 18% of Brits purchased to prevent their new little puppy or kitten from getting upstairs. A further 17% bought sofa covers to prevent them from getting scratched or stained, and 11% decided to change or remove their flooring. These are all great things to consider before welcoming your new pet home to make sure you are prepared for anything. As is expected with any new young pet, there can be accidents so setting up the correct pet proofing around your home will be a huge help in protecting them from getting hurt.

So, what sort of cleaning habits have Brits gained as a result of their new pups and kittens?

Our survey findings show that a third (33%) of Brits clean their carpet more than once a week and just under a third (30%) clean their sofa more than once a week. What’s more, a quarter (25%) of Brits hire a professional cleaner once a month to reduce the amount of cleaning they must do themselves from their pet’s mess and little accidents.

Dogs vs Cats: Which are more expensive?

The average damage costs for dogs are slightly higher than that of cats, with damage caused by dogs costing £231 and cats £199. The cleaning costs are where we see the big figures coming in. When looking across an entire lifespan, dogs are costing on average £4146 in cleaning fees, whereas cats are costing slightly less at £4086.

Overall, dogs are taking the crown as the more expensive pet to have based on cleaning and repairing damage.

Tips for pet proofing your home

Invest in storage to prevent injury on objects

Storage boxes are a great way to make sure any objects that could cause harm to your pet are stored away safely. Consider TV units with storage or even sideboards that can hold lots of items without taking away from your stylish interior design.

Place remote controls, books, and frames on high shelves

Anyone who has a dog knows that remote controls in particular are a dog’s dream toy! Along with other objects such as photo frames, candles and reed diffusers, we would recommend investing in some high shelves or shelving units that puts any objects out of reach of your pets.

Store toilet roll in a bathroom cabinet

Toilet roll is seen as a toy by many young kittens and puppies, so storing your toilet roll away in a bathroom cabinet is a great tip. Consider other items in your bathrooms that might need putting into storage to prevent injury to your new furry friend.

Create a safe place for your pet with beds, blankets, toys, and something that smells like you

One of the most important things when welcoming a new pet is that they feel comfortable in your home. Adding blankets, toys and pet beds are great ways to make a safe space for your pet to chill out in.

Swap your plants for non-toxic or even better, artificial plants

Many plants can be toxic for animals, so it is important that you consider changing any plants you have for non-toxic ones, or even better for artificial plants. We have a great range of artificial plants that would be perfect for any room of the house.

Invest in rug grip to avoid your pet pulling or moving your rug

Rug grips are a great way to prevent your rug from moving around. With young puppies or kittens, they can be drawn to rugs, so adding this extra layer of protection will mean that your rugs and any furniture on top will be safe from moving around and potentially putting your new furry friend at risk.

If you’re welcoming a new pet home, we’ve got you covered with our full range of homeware products. Why not find your pet a new bed or accessory to make them feel more at home.