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Despite being your best furry friend, pets can wreak havoc, damage furniture and just generally wreak havoc around the home. For pet owners who want to live in peace with their furry or feathered companions, these grooming tricks, DIY toys, and more will make your home a happy home for pets and people alike.
1. Hide the litter boxes.
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Cats need easy access to their litter box, but most owners don't want their cat's litter box to be visible. Get rid of that eyesore and give your cat some privacy by hiding the litter box in an old laundry basket or small closet. Cut a cat-sized door in the side for your cat to climb in and out of when needed, or just slide a panel off an old cabinet to open it. As a bonus, the DIY litter box holder helps reduce unwanted odors from pets and tracked litter.
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2. Lay out a rug that minimizes clutter.
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Although parrots and other birds are beautiful pets full of personality, they tend to make a mess. Try putting an office chair mat under your bird cage to catch seeds and droppings and make cleaning easier.
3. Be smart about storing kibble.
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Those of us who have four-legged friends would do well to store dry pet food in a large plastic container, such as the Buddeez 8-Quart Pet Food Storage Bin . Not only does the bowl keep the kibble fresh, but the ability to pour the food directly into your pet's bowl makes mealtimes easier for parents.
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4. Attack pet hair with a squeegee.
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One of the biggest downsides to owning a dog is the endless accumulation of pet hair that accumulates around the house. Remove hair from your carpets and upholstery by scraping these surfaces with a window wiper . This bath accessory keeps hairballs at bay, thereby reducing the build-up of indoor allergens.
5. Build an enclosure for pets.
Photo: AffinityPets via Etsy.com
If you want to save the money you might spend on a critter cage at a pet store, create your own DIY version, either from scratch or by remodeling an appropriately sized shelf . Instructions for DIY pet cages abound on the internet, and most require little more than drilling holes and installing glass or clear plastic. The finished product is likely to be more attractive (and appropriate for your decor) than the ready-made options available at pet stores. (For the less gifted animal lover, this little pet rabbit hutch can be ordered from Etsy seller Affinity Pets .)
RELATED: 20 Incredibly Easy Ways to Build Your Own Furniture
6. Make your own carpet odor eliminator.
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Unpleasant pet odors can penetrate your carpets and leave a lingering odor in your home. To get rid of those annoying odors, make a DIY carpet duster that dusts your floors every time you vacuum to give it a boost. Check out Jillee's One Good Thing for a full tutorial.
7. Provide built-in food and water bowls.
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When feeding, food bowls often slide around on hardwood and tile floors, potentially spilling water and food everywhere. End the clutter by buying or building a built-in bowl bin. Simply measure and cut bowl-sized holes in a small chest or bench and place your pet's food and water in the holes.
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8. Build a fancy bed for your pet.
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Instead of relying on a store-bought pillow or pet furniture , consider building your own cat or dog bed with a few simple tools. You can paint and decorate the bed to match your interior design, giving it a unique, personal touch.
9. Make a padded scratching post.
Photo: GeoPetCo via Etsy.com
Cats love to climb and scratch, but all of these stunts can be surprisingly destructive. Keep your cat from making a mess and ruining the furniture by covering scratching posts or shelves with rugs. Your cat can now climb without consequences and has a specific target for its claws!
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10. Use a dog mat for muddy paws.
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Every time it rains, your dog will inevitably make his way to the muddiest part of the yard. To ensure your dog doesn't drag wet mud through your home, choose a front door that you can use in inclement weather. Have a towel and a thick mat there, and train your dog to stay on the mat until you've cleaned his paws. No more mud stains on the carpet!
11. Turn a sweatshirt into a dog bed.
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Instead of throwing away your old sweatshirts the next time you clean the closet, save one to turn into a functional dog bed. With just a few supplies, including a sweatshirt, scissors, upholstery fabric (this can include old socks and rags), a needle and thread, you can make a dog bed just like blogger Boogie the Pug .
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12. Have a bag of scratch nuts ready.
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If you have a pet and wooden furniture at home, this can be a guarantee of disaster. If scratches do occur, simply rub a shelled walnut across the scratch in the direction of the wood grain and the surface should look new. This quick fix is one of the best, cheapest, and easiest ways to fix wood scratches and keep your furniture clawed like a pet.
13. When bathing, bring a snack from the pantry.
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Many dogs hate baths, but if they don't scrub them every once in a while, they can introduce odors and dirt into your home. If your dog has trouble sitting still in the tub, spread a generous amount of peanut butter on the tile wall for him to lick off while you rinse him off. This allows the dog to focus on other things besides bathing and makes it easy to rinse out the shower when you're done.
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14. Scare off curious cats with aluminum foil.
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If you have a cat who mistakes your furniture for a scratching post, this is for you! For some reason, cats don't really like the texture of aluminum foil and will avoid it as much as possible. Some cat owners spread a sheet of aluminum foil on kitchen counters , wrap it around furniture legs, or surround houseplants to keep their cats out of trouble.
15. Fight pet hair with dryer sheets.
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Animal lovers know how annoying it can be when pet hair covers their home. One way to remove pet hair from furniture, carpets, and area rugs is to wipe them down with a dryer sheet . The dryer sheet catches some of the dander and keeps your home feeling fresh and clean.
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