Regardless of how well trained a cat or dog may be, we cannot make them act more adult like. As such, the question that many homeowners face is, "How do I make keep my house clean and odor free if I have pets at home? If you have been asking yourself this question, this article is for you. It's especially important that homeowners take the steps necessary to ensure that their home's value remain high regardless if it contains pets, because pets have a tendency of causing a home's value to decline, due to the odor they may cause the home to have, as well as the damages it may contain as a result of bad pet behavior.
In this overview, we're going to look at some of the ways in which a homeowner can ensure that their home remains in pristine condition regardless of the amount of pets it may contain.
1) Use Dark Paint
If your pet has a habit of smearing the surfaces of various furniture and walls of your home, you may want to consider the idea of coating it with a dark colored paint. Dark colored paint does an effective job of hiding signs of mud and smears that your pets caused. Ideally you'll want to identify the common places that your pets are drawn towards and coat those areas, whether it's the walls are lower cabinets in your kitchen.
2) Introduce Animals To One Another
The old saying that the first impression is the most important part of meeting someone is also true when it comes to animals. If animals are not accustomed to each other, they may be irritated and hostile to each other. This will lead to them scratching each other and your furniture. As such, if you plan to have several cats for example, you need to learn how to introduce cats to each other. The process of introducing cats to each other is virtually the same when it comes to dogs. Some of the tips to consider when it comes to doing this include:
- Keep the new cat/dog separated from the rest at first. This will give it the opportunity to get used to its new surroundings without having to deal with the anxiety of being around an unfamiliar friend.
- Slowly allow the old/new pet to see each other from time to time. This will give them time to get used to their distinctive smells.
- After 4-5 days, let the animals interact with each other, under a supervised setting.
3) Install Pet Gates
There are areas in your home that you simply won't be able to pet proof. Areas such as this should be gated off to deny access. For instance, if your home features a staircase or a room that is filled with delicate china dishes, you may want to consider the idea of installing a gate to prevent access.
4) Place Rugs At Your Pet's Favorite Area Of Interest
One of the most effective things you can do is to identify the areas of which your pet spends the majority of its time. Ideally, you'll want to start off by placing an indoor and outdoor mat on the outside and inside of every door of your home. By doing this, the outdoor mat will catch most of the dirt a dog may bring in for instance, while the indoor mat will catch any remaining debris that may have not been picked up. Other places you should consider include:
- Dining table
- Under the sofa
- Behind the oven
- Under your bed
- Area around heaters
5) Make Pets Comfortable
Just like humans, animals experience a wide range of emotions that affect their behavior. A cat or dog that experiences anxiety or depression from entering a new environment, may lash out and display behavior problems that can lead to the damage of furniture and appliances. By making the environment a more welcoming one to your pet, this can negate the need for said animal to act out. Some of the ways of which you can make your pets comfortable include:
- Giving it affection via rubbing and patting their fur.
- Interactive Toys
- Treats
- Soft cushioned bedding
