Having a pet sure is a lot of fun, or so it seems before you actually have to deal with the problems it may cause. Apart from having to take care of the animal, you also need to be sure that they are not going to cause damage to your furniture.
Furniture pieces are expensive and the last thing you want is to see it ruined by your furry friend. Unfortunately, when it comes to naughty pets, it seems that the furniture is the main target of their negative behaviour. Apart from all of the furniture cleaning that you will undoubtedly have to do, you will also need to consider ways to protect your furniture and teach such behaviour in your pets that is safe and won’t leave you in frustration. Here is some advice on how to manage the situation in a stress-free manner:
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Chewing
Young puppies and kittens chew on various object and parts of furniture, because their teeth are growing and this gives them a great sense of relief. You may think that only young pets do this and that it will eventually pass, but the truth is that even adult animals sometimes chew on things. The reason for this may be vitamin deficiency. Consult with your vet, as that can often solve the problem. If that is not the reason why your pet is chewing on your furniture ends, you just need to give them a different outlet for this inclination. It can be something simple, such as toilet paper rolls for small pets and cardboard boxes, or a chewing toy.
Shedding
Pet hair will inevitably end up on your upholstery and other pieces of furniture. It is hard to actually ‘protect’ the furniture from this, as animals are hairy and they constantly shed. One of the most basic things you can do to reduce the need for upholstery cleaning every so often is to be preventive and brush your pet regularly. Apart from that, you can arm yourself with a microfiber bottom dust cleaner, or a rubber squeegee to help you pull out the hair from the upholstery and carpet. That should do it for an effective cleaning service.
Scratching
Mostly true for cats, as they naturally love to scratch things to leave their scent. In your cat’s eyes, your couch plays the role of a manicurist. The most viable solution is to give your cat a designated place for scratching. When they have a favourite new toy that can be scratched on, they won’t bother with your furniture. Just keep in mind that the said item should be of adequate size and composition so that your cat finds it appropriate.
Unpleasant smell
If you don’t want your couch to smell of your pet, you will need some extra help. This is not just a regular cleaning service you can perform, although it most certainly helps. You can acquire an air purifier and humidifier. Baking soda also works well, as a natural solution that can be used to neutralize the smell. Always remember that regular cleaning routine goes a long way in preventing this problem, not only for your furniture, but also other locations of your home.
Setting up a place
Setting up a place for your pet is also another way you can do this. It doesn’t mean you have to go too far such as a separate couch or something like that, but you can provide them with a nice bed so they can choose to go there instead. If the pet shows no interest at all, then you will need to punctuate the location by providing them with a treat or some other reason they may choose the bed instead.
Redirecting
Redirecting pet scratches can be done despite how hard it may look. The worst part of having a cat at home is that they really love to sink their claws into most scratchy surfaces. To help redirect this natural instinct you should place your favorite cat scratcher near any furniture you don’t want your cat to use as a scratching pad. Praise the cat when it uses the scratcher instead of the furniture and reinforce positive behavior patterns.
Offering alternatives
Offering alternatives to your cats and other pets will lead to avoiding a bedspread stuck with plenty of fur on it. Instead of shutting those out you can place an enclosed cat bed for your felines, allowing you to cut down on vacuuming cat hair from everything around you. Washing the bedding before guests arrive will allow you to keep pet dander and hair away from the guests so they can enjoy a relaxing time without choking on hairballs.
Living with pets can be fun, as long as you are prepared to meet the challenges that they present.
