Our built-up environment has traditionally been optimized to meet human needs, often neglecting other beings living with us. This approach extends inside our home, where most traditional fixtures have been designed exclusively to meet human needs.
A good example is the traditional window blinds. They are highly inappropriate for dogs and animals we keep indoors in their traditional form. Traditional blinds are a safety risk for pets, including man’s best friend.
Homeowners have a hard time making traditional blinds work in pet-occupied homes. Consequently, they have difficulty finding durable and safe window treatments that can withstand a dog’s scratching, chewing, and curious but vigorous play.
With the above in mind, we will delve into which type of blinds best suits families with pets and still allows for the aesthetic you want your windows and home. We’ll explore things you should consider when choosing the best dog-friendly window blinds that combine safety, functionality, and style.
Understanding the Challenges with Traditional Window Blinds
Living with traditional corded blinds when you have a dog can be difficult, if not impossible. The nature and typical dog behavior will make it hard to maintain clean blinds. Here are some challenges dog owners can expect to experience when using traditional blinds.
1. Chewing and Scratching
Chewing, digging, and scratching are a form of play for many dog breeds. Moreover, puppies that haven’t been trained will chew, scratch, and tear up anything that moves curiously (such as the blinds cord) to keep their minds busy, causing damage. While training can reduce the propensity of your dog to play with the blinds, it can never take away behavior completely.
2. Tangled Cords
Dogs will intuitively consider the cord for closing and opening blinds a toy to play with. Blind cords, especially when brightly colored and swinging with the wind, are as enticing as any dog toy you buy for your furry friend.
However, your dog playing with the window blind cords is not a good idea. Not only will your dog destroy the blinds, but there is also a huge strangulation risk when it gets entangled while playing with the rope.
3. Frequent Cleaning
Dogs, who are typically curious about the outdoors, love to peer outside the window. While doing this, they deposit dirt, nose smudges, and pesky hair on your blinds, tarnishing them and leaving an unsightly appearance.
Given that it is natural to head to the window at any provocation from outside, whether they hear the mailman outside, see a squirrel, or notice the neighbor’s cat outside, dog owners always struggle to keep their blinds spotlessly clean. The struggle is exacerbated by choosing hard-to-clean blinds.
Features to Look for in Dog-Friendly Window Blinds
Dog-friendly blinds are designed with features like durable materials, cordless operation, and easy-to-clean surfaces to ensure safety and longevity in homes with pets.
Durability
It’s essential to purchase blinds made of durable materials. Blinds made of traditional materials such as cotton will not endure the wear and tear caused by dogs. A hardier material is necessary to withstand scratching, chewing, and rough playing.
Cordless Options
Just as a corded opening and closing mechanism for blinds is a huge hazard for babies, it is dangerous to dogs and cats. While you can buy and use blinds with easy-break cords or cords attached to child safety clips that secure the cord in an elevated position on the wall, the ideal situation is to use cordless blinds.
Going cordless eliminates the risk of tangling and choking, creating a safer environment for your furry friend (and children).
Easy to Clean
Homeowners with pets should purchase window treatments that are easy to clean and maintain. With dogs dirtying the blinds with their paws and depositing a substantial amount of fur, you’ll be forced to clean the blinds more often than households that don’t have dogs. Choosing blinds that are quick and easy to clean can make a world of difference when it comes to cleaning your home.
Best Types of Dog-Friendly Window Blinds
There are plenty of window blinds of all sorts of colors and materials available for different styles. However, they can be broken down into some basic categories, such as:
Roller Blinds
Cordless roller blinds inherently offer a sleek look and a functional design that is also safe for your pooch. They use a tensioned spring housed inside a roller tube instead of a cord. To operate the blinds, you effortlessly push the blind up or pull it down on the bottom rail.
The spring aids the rolling or unrolling of the blinds. The lack of accessible cords ensures that they are safe for your dogs.
Cellular Shades
Cellar shades offer a great solution for households looking for window blind alternatives. They cover the entire window and can come cordless, negating any strangulation risk for your dog. Moreover, they have excellent insulation and are easy to clean. You can also train your dog to nudge the shades with their nose to look outside—a win-win for you and your furry friend.
Faux Wood Blinds
Faux wood blinds are sturdier and more scratch-resistant. They’re typically made using larger slats, giving your dog a larger viewing area. This prevents the dogs from trying to wedge themselves into the blinds for better views. As such, they are an excellent option for dog-occupied houses.
Vertical Blinds
Rather than using blinds with horizontal slats, you can use blinds with vertical slats. Vertical slats accumulate less pet hair and offer cordless operations. They also allow dogs to slip through to access the window. Finally, they’re not as fun to play with as horizontal slats, reducing the risk of damage. Even when damaged, the slats are easier to replace.
Additional Pet-Friendly Window Treatments
The following are some alternatives to window blinds that range from very affordable to much more of an investment.
Shutters
Plantation shutters are an elegant alternative to traditional window blinds for households with dogs. They’re durable and easy to use. Importantly, they are typically made using thick and sturdy materials and can withstand the wear and tear the window treatments are subjected to in dog-occupied homes.
Window Films
Rather than using blinds, you can install window films that provide you with the utmost privacy while negating the problems of using blinds in dog-occupied homes.
Motorized Blinds
Motorized blinds are the latest take on window treatment. While they perform the same basic function as a traditional, they incorporate elements of home automation. They use a motor (typically remote-controlled) to roll open or close the blinds, thereby eliminating cords.
Tips for Maintaining Dog-Friendly Window Blinds
You can keep the blinds a tad to give your dog an avenue to view outside and avoid your dog interacting with your blinds. However, if this is not an option for your home, you can try the following solution:
- Regular Cleaning – The best way to ensure your blinds look good and last long is to clean them regularly. Regular cleaning ensures nose smudges, paw dirt, and dog fur do not entrench in your blinds. Importantly, you should spot clean any smudges you notice when you notice them.
- Training Your Dog – You can train your dog to leave the blinds. Start by teaching it to understand the “leave it” command. Anytime the dog starts playing with the blinds, use the command. Moreover, you can train the dog to avoid chewing the blinds by spraying them with a dog-safe repellant.
- Protective Barriers – You could also place a protective barrier near the window. A pet gate or an insurmountable piece of furniture will keep your dog away from windows and blinds.
Final Thoughts: Ensuring a Pet-Friendly Home with the Right Window Blinds
While shopping for new blinds, you should always prioritize your dog’s safety, the durability of the blinds, and their ease of maintenance. Be cognizant of your dog’s behavior (such as chewing, tearing, biting, and scratching), and consider how they will potentially interact with traditional blinds.
Are you looking to invest in dog-friendly windows? Well, Family Windows & Doors has your back. With years of experience helping homeowners meet their window replacement needs, we are the right team to help you choose your next window and doors that work for your décor while coexisting with your pet.
Call us today at 864-982-0957!
You Might Also Like These Articles:
