Pet Proof Your Favourite Furniture

Having pets can be wonderful. Not only do they give you comfort, but they also are a companion when you need it. This is why many people decide to have a dog, cat, lizard, fish, hamster or rabbit in their lives.

The only trouble with pets is that there are some negatives of welcoming them into your home. One of these is that they can damage your favourite furniture, sometimes by scratching it, but sometimes just by sitting on them.

So, what can you do to protect your favourite fabric wingback chair or sofa from those pesky pets that share your home?

We have put together some of our top tips on how to pet proof your furniture that you can try yourself at home, most of which are obvious but may not be things that you would instantly think to do.

Go for the simple and obvious approach and make sure that they don’t get on your furniture

Of course, one of the simplest things that you can do to ensure that your furniture is pet proofed is to simply stop them getting on it. This is easier said than done of course, and if the evening comes around and we fancy a snuggle with our prized pooch or moggy, then you may find that your iron resolve starts to crumble a little.

A good way to stay strong is to create them their very own place to call their own. This should be soft and comfortable and tempting to them, at least more so than your sofa.

Set up a weekly cleaning routine and stick to it

If you do allow your pets to be on the furniture, then a good tip is to make sure that you set up a weekly cleaning routine that you should try and follow. This includes wiping it down and vacuuming it as well as rotating any removable cushions, particularly in the areas where your pet likes to sit. You will find, in no time at all, that this doesn’t feel like too much of a chore and your furniture is going to thank you for it.

Cover your furniture to keep it protected 

Now, this isn’t always ideal if you are proud of the way your sofa or chair looks, however, if you are not too bothered about having at least a little of it covered over, then this is a great choice. Pick a nice sheet or blanket and place it on the space where your pet likes to lay. This means, if it gets grubby or looks worn then you can simply remove it and then wash it before replacing. Ideal if you want to minimise the issue of pet hair.

Stop the scratching and offer an alternative option 

One issue when you have cats is their scratching. Cats do like to flex their claws whenever and wherever they shouldn’t. The problem is that it is hard to stop them from doing it. After all, to them it is normal instinct. The thing to do in this situation is to try your best to redirect their instincts away from your furniture. Invest in a few cat scratchers and place them throughout your home (and well away from any places that they currently like to scratch). If they do decide to get their claws into the posts rather than your favourite chair, then it is time to heap the praise on them. They may not seem like it, but cats do like to be made a fuss of when they have done something right.

As you can see, there are ways that you can enjoy owning beautiful furniture, without having to worry about your pets ruining it. Which means that you can easily have the best of both worlds and there is nothing better than that.

One of the main things that you need to keep in mind when it comes to your pets and furniture in your home. You need to make sure that you focus on being consistent. Not being consistent means that they are going to become confused and they might not understand what they should and shouldn’t be doing. Make your decisions on what you expect from your pets and make sure that this is clear to them. Then you should be able to create a home which is happy and harmonious, one that is not only able to boast beautiful furniture that you are going to love to own as well as pets that are a huge part of your family.