Have you ever watched an online video of a pet who trashed an apartment and then proceeded to show feelings of guilt and remorse? If you Google “Remorseful Pet” you will get nearly 2 million hits. These videos are funny to watch but it can be a bit of a nightmare when it’s your own house. After browsing a while you would probably notice that most of these videos showcase dogs. Just because other pets like cats aren’t anywhere to be seen doesn’t mean they don’t get into their fair share of mischief.
Yes, we feed them. We love them. We don’t know what we’d do without them. But they can sure give us a good headache every now and again. From torn couch cushions to eaten homework to shredded blinds, our pets always find a way to get into trouble. Sure, we can send them to doggie camp and hope they come back well mannered, but it never hurts to take a rambunctious or mischievous little pet into consideration when buying new furniture or blinds.
Here’s what we can do to help make sure our blinds and shutters stay nice and new.
Cats
Let’s start with the cat owners. Nice to meet you. Cat’s tend to be a bit aloof as to what is going on around them at times. However, once you gain their attention you have it. They become mesmerized. Ways to get their attention include squeaky toys, lazzers and most commonly, string or fabric. This is unfortunate as fabric tends to be a popular choice when covering windows. This is why my first piece of advice for you is to Avoid Low-Hanging Fabrics! Drapes are a cat’s paradise and most won’t be able to resist them, especially once the wind gets them moving! Try blinds or shutters instead. These are much less tempting and most cats won’t view them as a plaything.
Second, Make Sure Your Blinds & Shutters Are Durable! Cats love sitting by the window and seeing what’s going on outside. They may not view blinds as toys but if they are trying to get a better view of what’s going on outside they could still cause some extensive damage. To them, the blinds are an obstacle restricting their viewing experience. You can avoid the need to constantly replace your blinds or shutters by making sure you invest in ones that are solid and durable. If you try vertical blinds you make it even more difficult for the cat to do damage since they can’t climb on top of them. These are a great option allowing your feline friend to still get a look outside without giving them something to break.
Dogs
Now for you dog owners! Dogs are a little more sporadic than your typical cat. They are a bit more random and unpredictable. When a dog destroys something it could be for many different reasons. They may be excited, scared, or upset. They could be angry or just a little bored. Some dogs go crazy just because of a loud noise or because they see a stranger passing on the sidewalk. They rush to the window full force without any regard for the objects around them. There are ways to help minimize the damage in these situations. It all comes down to your preparation and the kind of shutters and blinds you use.
First, Try Some Vertical Blinds. Like cats, dogs tend to struggle damaging these blinds when they can’t get their paws on them. Many of these blinds can be easily pushed to the side giving your pet a prime viewing experience without inflicting any damage.
Second, Try Plantation Shutters. These shutters are great. You can get them fairly solid which helps prevent breakage. Unless you have a particularly aggressive pup these shutters should have no problem standing the test of time. There are several different options for Plantation Shutters so you can find the perfect ones to fit your home.
Thirdly, Try Wide Slat Wood Blinds. These blinds are thick enough that, when open, they provide a particularly good viewing experience for your best friend. The wood is firm but because these blinds are hanging they could snap under enough pressure. If you’ve got a fairly well behaved dog these are a great option.
What NOT to Do
Just a few final thoughts and tips for you before you undertake the task of pet-proofing your windows. Make sure you avoid Aluminum Mini Blinds (easily bent) and Puddled Drapes (collect animal hair).
Well, there you have it! Everything you need to know to help yourself live in a world of unbroken blinds and shutters. Good luck and happy shopping!