We all love our furry friends. But we don’t love when our puppy or kitten ruins our furniture or our window blinds. It can be frustrating to come home and find your window blinds bent or broken from your pets dire need to see outside. Not only do we want to protect our home decor from our potentially destructive pets, we also want to protect them from any possible hazards.
Finding the right window treatment for a home with dogs or cats can be tricky. ShadeMonster has some tips and recommendations on how to pet proof your blinds.
Dogs have an instinctual need to see what’s going on around them, including what’s happening outside. Whether it’s just to pass the time watching the view or to see what the mailman is doing, sometimes our window treatments become an obstacle for dogs. In order to get your dog to stop messing with your blinds, it’s important to address the specific issue that leads to your pooch’s destruction.
If your dog simply wants to be able to see outside, leave a space for them to do so. With horizontal blinds or roller shades, you’re able to leave a large enough gap at the bottom of your window treatment to allow your pet to see through, while still benefiting from the light control and UV protection of the blinds.
Does your dog like to chew on your blinds? Use a sour apple spray (available at pet stores) to lightly coat the slats of your blinds. Dogs hate the smell and taste of the spray, despite it being neutral to humans. When you’re away from home, give your dog chew toys and keep them enclosed in a safe room. Bonus: chew toys with treats inside will keep them busy for a while!
Sometimes dogs are destructive because they suffer from separation anxiety. If this is the case, crate training is a great way to promote a safe space for your pet. Don’t feel guilty about leaving your dog locked in a crate, after some training this space becomes comforting when they’re alone. Another way to calm an anxious dog is to take them on a long walk before leaving. Keep in mind to not make a big deal about leaving your dog and they’ll be less likely to take it out on your blinds.
Cats bring a whole other set of issues when it comes to the longevity of your window shades. They love to climb and scratch can easily destroy a blind or two. To avoid their curiosity getting the better of them, there are a few things you can do to promote a cat friendly space:
The best way to accommodate your pet into your home is by giving them a designated space. Choose a window that will be your pet’s spot to gaze out. Set up a comfy bed or window hammock for your dog or cat to feel relaxed and snug. This way there is only one window treatment to worry about and only one window to clean from paw prints.
Motorized shades are an excellent choice for pet owners because they offer convenience and safety. With motorized operation, there are no cords for pets to tangle with, reducing the risk of accidents. Additionally, you can easily control the shades with a remote or smartphone app, allowing you to adjust them even when you're not at home. This flexibility is particularly useful for pet owners who may need to adjust the shades to regulate light or temperature for their pets throughout the day.
Roller shades are also a great choice. ShadeMonster roller shades feature safety systems that keep cords out of reach, reducing the risk of entanglement for pets. Made of sturdy materials, roller shades can withstand pets' scratching and pawing without getting damaged easily. They are also easy to clean, making it simple to remove pet hair and dirt. Overall, roller shades provide a pet-friendly solution for window coverings, combining durability, safety, and easy maintenance.
Made from vinyl, faux-wood blinds are durable and long lasting. By opening the slats, your pets will still be able to see outside, minimizing the likelihood of them breaking. These blinds are resistant to scratches and stains, making them ideal for homes with active pets. Faux wood blinds are easy to clean, requiring only a quick wipe-down to remove pet hair and dirt. Their features also minimizes the risk of damage from pets, providing a practical and stylish window covering solution for pet-friendly households.
In conclusion, selecting pet-friendly window treatments is essential for creating a safe and comfortable environment for both pets and their owners. Options like roller shades and motorized blinds offer convenience, easy maintenance, and safety features that cater to the needs of households with pets. However, it’s important to note that no blinds are completely pet-proof, so it’s crucial to consider your pets’ behavior and provide appropriate training and alternatives to prevent damage.
