7 Tips for a Pet-Friendly Home

My entire life, minus my college years, has been spent sharing a home with at least one pet. Over the years I have discovered that some fabrics and home decor work better than others when you have furry critters. Here are some tips given by pet expert Julia Szabo and Chicago interior designer Nan Ruvel, who designs pet-friendly interiors for clients.

“The key is choosing the right materials and accommodating your animals’ needs,” says author of Animal House Style: Designing a Home to Share With Your Pets Julia Szabo, who shares her home with a dozen rescued dogs and cats. Julie says an animal-friendly house is more comfortable for humans too. “If a house doesn’t work with dogs, it won’t work with children or guests either.”

• Don’t buy expensive rugs.
• Skip wall-to-wall carpet.
• Choose hard surface floors.
• Don’t decorate with breakable knickknacks.
• Match carpet and upholstery to fur color.
• Give your pet tidy, attractive treats and toys.
• Use semigloss wall paint.

Here are some of our favorite pet decor items

PetPals Paper Rope Natural Bowl Shaped with Perch Cat Tree

I love that this has a scratching post as well as two beds if you happen to have more than one cat as we do.

Cat Craft 4308601 Tunnel Bed, Grey and Brown Wooden Legs Cat Furniture, 15 Inch

This cat bed would look nice with any style decor.

TWIXIE-PIXIE Premium Luxury Felt Cat Cave Bed (Large) -Handmade with Soft 100% Merino Wool -Keeps Warm in the Winter and Cool in the Summer -Thick Firm Shape -Included Felt Ball Cat Toy and Travel Bag

MushroomCat Face Cute Modern Scratch Lounge Classic Ultimate Cat Scratcher Bed

Our cats love this cute scratch bed and spend quite a bit of their time on it.

SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post

Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy – 3 Levels of Interactive Play – Circle Track with Moving Balls Satisfies Kitty’s Hunting, Chasing, and Exercising Needs

JIARON Feather Teaser Cat Toy, 2PCS Retractable Cat Wand Toys and 10PCS Replacement Teaser with Bell Refills, Interactive Catcher Teaser and Funny Exercise for Kitten or Cats.

Kitty City Raised Cat Food Bowl Collection, Stress Free Pet Feeder and Waterer

Cat Bowls Cat Food Bowls Non Slip Cat Double Dish Pet Food & Water Bowls Raised Puppy Food Bowl Stress Relief Feeder Bowls Wide Dish Pet Bowl for Dogs Cats Rabbits, (Safe Food-grade Melamine Material)

CatGuru Cat Food Bowl, Whisker Stress Free Cat Bowls, Whisker Fatigue Cat Bowl, Wide Cat Dish, Shallow Cat Food Bowls, Non Slip Cat Dishes for Food, Pet Bowls for Cats (Round-Set of 2, Marshmallow)

BarkBox Large Gray 3″ Tall Ultra Plush Pressure-Relief Orthopedic Memory Foam Dog Bed or Crate/Kennel Mat – Removable Washable Cover – Free Surprise

little dove Pet Teepee House Fold Away Pet Tent Furniture Cat Bed with Cushion 28 Inch Grey One

ZippyPaws – Jumbo Donutz Stuffed Squeaky Plush Dog Toy – Strawberry

ZippyPaws – Skinny Peltz No Stuffing Squeaky Plush Dog Toy, Fox, Raccoon, and Squirrel – Large

Pack Dog Squeaky Toys One Crinkle No Stuffing Dog Toy and Three Dog Plush Toy, Dog Chew Toy Set for Small Medium Large Dog Pets

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