10 House Hacks Every Pet Owner Needs to Know

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Despite being your best furry friends , pets can make lot , damage furniture , and generally make for mayhem on the home . For pet owners who want to survive peacefully with their downlike or feathery companions , these cleanup hacks , DIY toys , and more will make your home a happy one for pets and people alike .

1. Conceal the litter boxes.

cat ask light access to their bedding boxwood , but most homeowners do n’t need to keep their felid ’s toilet in plain sight . wipe out that eyesore , and give your cat some secrecy , by secrete away the litter box in an old washing trammel or small cabinet . Cut a cat - size doorway in the side so your kitty can come and go as need — or just slide a control panel of an old media locker open . As an add fillip , the DIY bedding box holder will aid geld down on unwantedpet odorsand tracked bedding material .

2. Lay down a mess-minimizing mat.

Although parrots and other birds are beautiful favourite that are loaded with personality , they tend to make a mess . Try placing adesk chair matunderneath your birdcage to contain stray seminal fluid and droppings for easy cleansing .

3. Get clever with kibble storage.

Those of us with four - legged friends would be well advised to store dry pet food in a turgid charge plate ewer , like theBuddeez 8 - quart pet food reposition container . Not only will the container keep kibble brisk , but being able to swarm food directly into your favorite ’s bowl make mealtime a pushover for pet parent .

4. Tackle pet hair with a squeegee.

One of the liberal downsides of hotdog ownership is the never - terminate collection ofpet hairthat piles up in the home . Eliminate fur from your carpeting and upholstery by scratch those surface with awindow squeegee . This john tool keeps hair balls at bay , thus reducing allergens indoors .

5. Build a DIY pet enclosure.

If you ’d like to save the Johnny Cash you could spend on aCritter Cageat a pet fund , make your own DIY variation , either from prick or by transform a befittingly sizedshelving unit . tutorial for homemade pet batting cage abound on the cyberspace , and most demand small more than drill fix and installing some glass or readable charge plate . The ruined product will in all probability be more attractive ( and accommodate to your decor ) than out - of - the box options in favored stores . ( Pet lovers who are n’t handy can say this small - animal hutch from Etsy sellerAffinity Pets . )

6. Make your own carpet odor eliminator.

Unpleasant favorite odors can seep intocarpets , leaving a lingering scent in your home . To get disembarrass of these pesky smells , whip up a DIY carpet powder to disperse on your floor whenever you vacuum for a boost of freshness . Check outOne Good Thing by Jilleefor a everlasting tutorial .

7. Provide built-in food and water bowls.

Pet bowlful often slide around hardwood and tile floors during mealtime , potentially spilling water supply and kibble everywhere . Put an end to the mess by buying or reconstruct a built - in receptacle for the bowls . plainly measure and cut off stadium - size of it hole into a small chest or bench , and depress your pet ’s food and water into the hollow .

8. Build a stylish pet bed.

Instead of bank on a store - buy cushion or pet furniture , study DIY - ing your own cat or dog bottom with a few basic tools . you may paint and dress the bottom to touch your home ’s decor for a uniquely personalized trace .

9. Craft a carpet-lined cat tree.

CAT adore climb and scratching , but all those stunting can be surprisingly destructive . Keep your feline from create chaos and ruin article of furniture by making rug - line cat tree diagram or shelves . Your kitty will now be able to go up without consequence , and have a designated object for its claw !

10. Use a doggy doormat for muddy paws.

Whenever it rains , your dog will necessarily manoeuver for the marshy part of the yard . To ensure that your canine does n’t tag wet muck around your house , pick out one entry threshold for use during inclement weather . Keep a towel and aheavy - duty doormatthere , and prepare your bounder to stay on the mat until you ’ve wiped its paws . No more mud stain on the carpet !

11. Upcycle a sweatshirt into a dog bed.

Instead of throw away yourold sweatshirtsafter your next water closet cleanout , keep one to forge into a operational hound bed . With only a few materials , include a sweatshirt , scissors , cushioning textile ( which can also be erstwhile socks and rag ) , and a needle and thread , you’re able to lash up a dog seam like bloggerBoogie the Pugdid .

12. Keep a bag of walnuts on hand for scratches.

If you have a ducky and wood furniture in the house , it can be a formula for disaster . When scratches happen , but rub a shelled walnut on the scratch in the focussing of the wood caryopsis and the surface should look good as new . This straightaway fix is one of the good , affordable and simplest mode tofix scratches on woodand keep your furniture looking like you do n’t own pets with chela .

13. Bring a pantry treat to bathtime.

Many dogs hate bath , but without the casual scrub down , they can bring odors and mess into your home plate . If your cad struggles to detain still in the bathtub , spread a generous amount ofpeanut butteron the roofing tile wall for them to lick while you rinse them down . This keep the bounder sharpen on something other than the bath and is super easy to rinse off the cascade when you ’re done .

14. Discourage curious felines with aluminum foil.

If you have a cat that confuses your piece of furniture for a scratch post , this one ’s for you ! For some reason , cats really do n’t like the texture of aluminum foil and will debar it whenever potential . Some cat owners scatter a sheet of aluminum hydrofoil on their kitchen parry , wrapped around furniture legs , or surrounding houseplant to keep their cats out of bother .

15. Combat pet hair with dryer sheets.

Pet lovers know how pestering it can be to have pet hair covering their habitation . One way to wipe out pet pilus from furniture , carpet , and rugs is to swipe adryer sheetover it . The dryer tabloid will catch some of the dander and allow your menage reek fresh and unobjectionable .

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Woman cleaning floor after pet