How to Make Your Home More Pet-Friendly

If you love animals, you likely have at least one furry friend in your home. Our real estate agents are noticing that today's homeowners are making room for their pets without sacrificing comfort, design, and family activities. Take a look at 7 ways to create a pet-friendly home without giving up the things you love.

1. Choose Hard Surface Floors
   When you have pets, it's best to skip wall-to-wall carpet and install hard surface flooring like wood, vinyl, ceramic tile, or brick. While carpet and shaggy rugs trap dirt, stains, and pet hair, hard surface flooring is easy to clean with a broom, mop, or vacuum. Indoor pets will shed and have occasional accidents, so make the cleaning as simple as possible.

2. Use Stain-Resistant Upholstery Fabrics
   Cats and dogs love to lounge on your furniture, even if they have a cozy bed of their own. If you're relaxing on the sofa, it won't take long for your furry friends to join you for a cuddle. When choosing upholstery fabrics, think leather, vinyl, and machine-washable ultrasuede that are easy to clean and avoid fur and stain magnets like cotton, suede, wool, and velvet.

3. Put Washable Fabrics on Your Bed
   If you have cats or dogs, keeping them off the bed can be a chore. Make clean-up easier when you invest in easy-to-wash bedding. 

4. Vacuum and Mop Often
   Whether you have cats, dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, or birds, they all come with furry coats that shed dander and hair. To keep your home clean and fresh, you need to vacuum and mop at least twice each week and even daily if your pet has long hair or is shedding.

5. Bathe and Groom Your Pets
   For a cleaner home and fewer germs, bathe and groom your pets at home or take them to a professional groomer at least twice each month. Before you bathe your pets, give them a good brushing to get rid of dander and excess hair. When bathing, use a mild shampoo, warm water, and a soft towel or a blow dryer.

6. Create a Private Pet Space
   Although your pets will follow you around the house and gladly sleep in your bed, they need their own space to unwind and chill from a busy day. To create a private space for cats and dogs, set up a crate or bed in a quiet area of the house, like a spare bedroom or enclosed porch. Add food and water bowls, pillows and blankets, a basket of toys, and cat trees so your pets will feel safe and secure in their own private space.

7. Petscape Your Yard
   Like people, pets need exercise and fresh air to stay calm and healthy. If you have a backyard, deck, or patio, make sure it has safe, pet-friendly features. Consider building a fence that keeps pets close to the house and safe from predators, add landscaping with safe non-toxic plants, provide water and a cozy napping area, add a doggie door, and keep an eye on your pets.

If you're considering buying or selling a home in NY neighborhoods, contact us to see available properties that fit your lifestyle and financial goals.