Pets and Furniture - Tips for Owners
In a recent post we talked about great ways to deodorize and clean up pet messes in your home, so now we’re moving along to one of the other pet issues that pops up frequently when you own a home. Pets add so much joy to our lives, but sometimes their behavior around our furniture can be more than a little annoying. Instead of raising your voice or chasing them with a rolled-up newspaper, try training them to behave properly with some of our handy hints.
If one of the biggest problems you have is keeping your pets off certain pieces of furniture, the key to success with this issue is consistency. If you don’t want your dog or cat on the couch, make sure you never invite him or her up on it, regardless of how much you may want a little company. If you normally chase Rex off the couch, but invite him up to cuddle next to you on a cold winter day to watch the big game, you’re sure to confuse him. If your reaction to his being on the couch changes from day to day, he won’t be able to tell if he’s being a good dog or a bad dog.
If you’ve decided you want to keep your animals off the furniture, here are a few ways to discourage them from making themselves at home in your seats.
Pepper – Cats and dogs have a very keen sense of smell, and most of them are not fond of the scent of black pepper. Sprinkle a few shakes of black pepper on dark-colored or patterned furniture to discourage them from jumping up. Pepper won’t stain or damage furniture, and it’s 100% natural.
Aluminum Foil – When you’re training a new pet, one of the most effective ways to teach them that a certain piece of furniture is off limits is with some foil. Most pets dislike the texture and sound of foil and will avoid touching it. Place a few sheets of foil on the off-limits surface. After a few attempts, most pets will quickly give up on making a perch there. Plastic trash bags can be used as an alternative for some pets.
Outdoor Fresh Bounce – Cats in particular aren’t fond of the scent of this famous fabric softener. If you rub a sheet over the upholstery, cats will give furniture a wide berth. Your feline friends will also go out of their way to avoid lemon scents. You can make a solution of half a teaspoon of Country Time Lemonade and two cups of rubbing alcohol in your favorite spray bottle. Spritz your furniture with the solution to repel your cat. You can also saturate a cotton ball with pure lemon extract or RealLemon juice and rub a bit on your upholstery to keep cats away. (Be sure to test your upholstery’s color fastness first.)
The cotton ball trick will also work with Old Spice Aftershave; cats aren’t fond of that scent either.
Hot Sauce – If your pets tend to chew or scratch furniture legs, a little hot sauce can be a lifesaver! Protect dark woodwork by rubbing the area lightly with Tabasco Pepper Sauce or Heinz Chili Sauce and buffing the surface carefully. Animals dislike the smell and will avoid the treated areas.
Water Bottles – An old favorite; tried and true. Whenever your cat or dog jumps up on your furniture, aim a brief stream of water toward your pet. After a few good squirts, even the most stubborn pet will get the message.
If you do allow your pets on the furniture, you’ll eventually deal with fur. To remove pet hair, vacuum the area using a stiff bristle brush attachment. You can also use snagged pantyhose, a used dryer sheet, or a damp rag sprayed lightly with aerosol hairspray to lift hair from upholstery. Another trick—wrap your hand with clear packing tape and press it on the “hairy area” for quick cleanup.
Whether they’re allowed on the furniture or must stay off, your pets (and their fur!) can live in complete harmony with your family when you put forth a little effort and a lot of love!
If you’re building a new home and want pet-friendly flooring, layout options, and durable finishes, explore our new home floor plans or contact our team at Ernest Homes today. We’re always here to help you create a home that works for every member of your family—pets included!
