How to Cat Proof (and Dog Proof!) Blinds, Shades & Draperies

We all love our four-legged friends. Whether you’re a dog devotee or cat crazy, our pets give us love, make us laugh, and keep us from taking life too seriously. Since the mid-1980s, research has shown that pets have a positive psychological effect on their owners. These major benefits of pet ownership range from lowered stress and better blood pressure, to fewer doctor visits. The very act of petting a dog or cat, in fact, can lower blood pressure and reduce the stress hormone cortisol.  

Our pets, however, can be a handful. They can be especially destructive around the house. If you’ve ever returned home to find the remains of a beloved throw pillow littering the floor, you know that sometimes our pets have different ideas of “home décor” than we do. This can be a dangerous problem when it comes to window treatments. 

Here are some ways to make your window treatments pet-friendly so your pets are protected, and so is your peace-of-mind at home:  

Protect Curious Pets by Removing Blind Cords 

When bringing a new furry friend into your home, you might not consider “pet proofing” your window treatments. Corded window treatments, however, can be dangerous to young children and pets. In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission names corded window treatments as one of the top five hidden hazards in American homes. Swapping out your corded window treatments for alternatives without cords is an easy way to keep your pet safe.  

While you simply see a blind cord, your cat or dog might see an attractive new toy. Getting caught in a cord is dangerous, so investigate cordless alternatives. Motorized shades are a smart alternative to corded window treatments, removing hazardous cords and adding a touch of technology to your home.   

Put Barking on Hold, Automatically with Motorized Shades 

Have you ever been on an important work call when the mailman shows up to deliver a package? No matter how many times you tell your dog to be quiet, the urge to bark at the mailman is just too strong. Dogs love looking out the window and surveying their kingdom, but unfortunately a lot of dogs like to report, loudly, what they see outside. Motorized shades to the rescue! 

With motorized shades you can control your dog’s outside view with a remote, a smartphone/tablet app, or even with voice commands. A simple voice command can lower the shades before your home protector can notice the mailman, or a squirrel, or that leaf blowing on the wind. Best of all, with app control you can create a schedule for your motorized shades. So, if you know your dog Tinker always barks the most in the afternoon, your shades can automatically lower every afternoon so you can take your work calls without the barking background noise. Create a mailman schedule and enjoy the peace and quiet.  

Be Careful with Horizontal Blinds  

Let’s be honest, cats love horizontal blinds. Horizontal blinds aren’t so much a way to cover your window as they are an obstacle course for a determined kitty. Cats and dogs want to see out the window, and horizontal blinds are easy enough to move to create a peek-a-boo effect so your pet can still see the great outdoors. This is a great news for your pet, but not such great news for your bent blind slats.  

Horizontal blinds might not be the best window covering for the window where your dog or cat likes to spend the most time. Instead, go for a shade or drapery that can be closed easily without a way for them to peek out.  

If you love the light filtering ability of horizontal blinds but want to prevent your pet from abusing them, you might want to consider motorized zebra shades. These shades allow you to transition between sheer and privacy, and control light like a traditional horizontal blind. However, because the slats are in a roller shade, your cat can’t step between your blind slats for a better view of the birds outside. Best of all, you can use a remote with an incremental scroll wheel to let in the precise amount of light that your wish, without your pets’ input.  

Don’t Puddle Draperies 

You might like the look of your draperies puddled on the ground, but your dog or cat probably just sees a nice place to sleep. Not only will your draperies be covered in pet hair, but your cats might also think your puddled draperies are a fun place to climb. Pets and small children can easily get tangled up in draperies that trail too far along the floor.  

Instead, make sure your draperies skim the floor. Motorized draperies can also protect your drapery fabric from constant handling. When your dog is barking or your cat is jumping after that bird, motorized draperies make it simple to close the curtains and block out distractions for your pets.   

Give Your Pet a Dedicated Window Seat 

Your pet loves to look out the window. Your dog wants to protect his home by seeing everything going on in your neighborhood. Your cat wants to gaze out the window and imagine catching the bird flying past. Choose one window in your home and make it your pet’s place to gaze. You can put a comfy chair next to the window or you can even get a window hammock so your kitty can look out in style. Creating a dedicated window for your pet means they’re happy and you know which window needs extra cleaning to remove those nose prints.  

Creating a pet-friendly home extends to your choice of window treatments. With motorized shades and draperies, you can protect your pet, your home, and your sanity.  

Ready to get started creating a pet-friendly smart home? Connect with a Somfy dealer today. 

What do you think? What pet-friendly window treatments have you embraced? Share in the comments!