Sensible Solutions
According to designer Suzanne Lasky, taking the five senses into account is key to seeing a home through an animal’s perspective. Following are some of her suggestions for implementing pet-friendly designs:
• Sight: Dogs and cats like to peer out of windows, so keep window treatments to a minimum.
• Smell: “Dogs smell 20 times better than we do, and cats smell four times better than we do,” she notes. Therefore, low-maintenance cork flooring—which, unlike wall-to-wall carpeting, doesn’t release off-gasses—is an ideal surface. Also, be wary of what kinds of cleaners and air fresheners you use, as they can leave odors that are strong and unpleasant to pets.
• Sound: Dogs and cats have advanced hearing compared to humans, so opt for classical music and other calming sounds to keep your pet in check. The designer quips: “Remember the expression, ‘Music soothes a savage beast?’”
• Taste: Be certain to check your home and garden for potentially hazardous temptations, and offer alternatives. Indoors, catnip or chew toys serve as healthy substitutes for houseplants and furniture legs. Outdoors, plants poisonous to animals, such as oleander, should be removed if your pet spends time outside.
• Touch: Consider the materials you use to upholster furnishings, and choose ones that are low-maintenance and that feel cozy for both humans and animals.