Pets are proven to be therapeutic and loyal companions to individuals and families alike. However, any pet owner will tell you that any pet requires a lot of work and preparation for them to be enjoyable! If you are a homeowner considering inviting a pet to your property, consider the materials and surfaces within your home, the changes to your schedule and lifestyle you may need to change, and the alterations your home itself may require to give you and them a happy, healthy place to live.

Get Hardwood Floors

Carpet fibers are comfortable to walk on, but horrible for pet hair. Those fibers trap dander, fur, and any other dirt and dust you can imagine that your animal may track into your house, creating an unsanitary (and even smelly) surface that you won’t want to be around. Particles of grime and allergens that become quickly embedded in your carpet, can be easily swept away on a hardwood floor. They allow for simple clean-up, and are an aesthetically gorgeous addition to any room in your home! There are a wide variety of options for wood flooring , so think about the benefits of various materials regarding their durability and scratch resistance, finish, and good color for your room. If shedding is a serious issue, you can choose a wood grain that your pet’s hair blends into so that the shedding isn’t so apparent!

Make Accommodations

Your pet will essentially be a resident of your property, meaning you will need to make accommodations to provide for their needs. Find an appropriate setting for them to live within your living space! Smaller animals in cages and tanks may need a cool, dry spot, or a spot where they can enjoy some sunlight. If you want those cages out of sight, you will need to create a space in a room that can be easily cleaned and frequently checked! For larger animals like dogs and cats, providing their own safe spot is a must. Additionally, installing a kind of dog door or litter area will allow them to wander not only as they want, but as they need if “business” calls!

Get Better Furniture

Your furniture may also need an upgrade. Fancy, delicate pieces make controlling an animal incredibly stressful, so if you don’t want to worry about that potential damage you need to move it somewhere safe. Replace those or any other easily damaged furniture with pieces that match durability with functionality. Many people struggle to decide whether leather or fabric is a better material for their couch coverings—there are pros and cons to each ! Leather is durable and easily cleaned, keeping any hair or dander from sinking in between pores, and lasts significantly longer than fabric. Microfiber, however, is less expensive and still scratch-resistant. Research the common frustrations with your pet of choice and determine what things are most durable.

Think of Cleaning Needs

OF course, any animal requires some sort of maintenance and pick up. Before you commit to an animal, be prepared to clean and clean often! There are some animals—and even subspecies of dogs—whose breed is specifically meant to lessen the amount of cleanup necessary! For example, some breeds such as mini goldendoodles are hypoallergenic. This means they will not shed; they have a durable kind of hair rather than loose fur. Invest in quality cleaning materials and consider any tools or special animal furniture that can help you keep your home clean for them and you!

Prepare a Good Schedule

Your animal will need a regulated schedule just like you do, if not more. Before you even get your animal, make sure you understand its needs and design a schedule that will fulfill those needs while fitting into your daily routine. Food, cleaning, exercise, and even simple attention time are all important to the animal’s health and happiness. You will feel more relaxed and confident that your pet is well taken care of when you have a predetermined idea of their lifestyle in combination with yours.

Set Your Guidelines

Another important thing to think about before your pet comes home with you is the rules that you intend for them to have. Boundaries are essential! Without guidelines, your animal may create major, frustrating issues for you. Make firm decisions about where they will be allowed, what they should eat, and even what parts of their schedule are non-negotiable. If you have family members, you may want to discuss these things with them to ensure that you are all on the same page and are equally committed to creating a good environment for all to enjoy.

Protect Your Possessions

Take inventory of your valuable possessions and vulnerable areas around your home, and create a sort of risk assessment! Protect those possessions by either moving them to a new spot where the risk of damage is minimal or creating a buffer to decrease the risk of damage in that area. Curtains, shoes, walls, and wooden furniture are all sensitive enough to receive substantial damage from pets, so take whatever measures necessary to keep them out of reach or able to withstand the impact!

Invest in an Air Purifier

Even with frequent cleaning and care, your animal will bring with it a variety of allergens that can be harmful to your health. Protect yourself by investing in an air purifier that will filter through the air effectively! Purifiers are proven to benefit the air quality within your house, sucking in all those particles that your pet brings in or creates. These are a popular fix to a prevalent problem, ensuring that the very air you breathe is clear of dangerous bacteria and other molecules. There is a whole list of purifier options you can look at, each benefitting things like price, smell, small or large spaces, and more!

Prepare mentally and physically for the exciting addition of a pet to your home. It takes a bit of maneuvering your space and your life, but it is well worth the cost!

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