How to Design a Dog Friendly Room
Many people consider their dog another member of the family and shower the same love and affection upon their furry friends as they would anyone who walks on two legs. When designing a dog-friendly room, there are various things to consider when trying to make the room a place that's both safe and comfortable. Common household items can pose a hazard to dogs and a piece of furniture that's pleasing to people could pinch a tail or paw, so consider everything from the ground up when finalizing a design. Does this Spark an idea?
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A few bites of an aloe vera plant can make a dog sick. Remove poisonous plants. Many common houseplants, like aloe vera and azaleas, can sicken and kill dogs if they eat them, so check lists of poisonous plants and remove any that are dangerous. Give them to friends or place them in parts of the house that are off-limits to pets. Replace the plants with ones that won't poison dogs if nibbled, such as African daisies or camellias, which are pretty to look at and safe for pooches.
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Rocking chairs can crunch a dog's tail. Remove and replace potentially dangerous or special furniture. Dogs can do a number on furniture, nibbling on chair legs, scratching upholstery, and shedding hair all over sofas. Puppies or older dogs with incontinence problems can also urinate on furniture as well, so remove any fine, expensive items from the room to prevent accidents. Be wary of furniture that can hurt animals as well. Pet Place warns against recliners, as they "can trap a curious pup that crawls inside" or pinch tails and paws in their mechanisms. Long tails can get crunched by rocking chairs as well and be mindful of tables or other pieces with sharp, pointy edges a frolicking dog could get hurt on.
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Place a dog bed in the room so the animal has a comfy place to sleep. Designate and decorate a special space just for the dog. Designate one corner just for the dog. Place a comfortable dog bed of appropriate size in the area and fill it with blankets or other items the animal might need to sleep or relax. Place several toys near the bed as well as a water and food bowl for easy snacking.
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Many types of hard flooring are slippery for paws. Install proper flooring. Some floors are better than others when it comes to dogs and pet owners should weigh the pros and cons of different types of flooring when designing a pooch-friendly room. According to Luxury Housing Trends, hard flooring materials like stone, tile and wood are easy to clean up in the event of accidents, but uncomfortable for pets to lie on and can also be slippery for paws. Carpets are the most comfy material for dogs to curl up on, but stains can be a problem if a dog is not yet housebroken. Consider a blend of the two by laying down a large cutting of carpet or a rug for the dog to relax on; if it becomes stained or worn out, it will be easier to replace a large swatch rather than re-carpet the entire room.
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- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images aloe image by Magdalena Mirowicz from Fotolia.com armless rocking chair image by Scott Williams from Fotolia.com westie in bed image by Alan James from Fotolia.com pet dog feet paw image by Paul Retherford from Fotolia.com
