By Viktor Chong

It is unsurprising that dogs hold the title of “Man’s Best Friend,” considering that they dispense love unconditionally. Having these four-legged companions around is a sure way to brighten your life, although they are very much capable of messing with your house.

Not only are dogs capable of exuding unpleasant body odour, they have a reputation for chewing up anything that meets their fancy. Here are some tips to minimise the destruction and hygiene problems that your best friend could cause.

A‘poop’calypse

Automated cleaning robots such as the Roomba are efficient housekeepers, being able to clean, dump dirt and find its charging station independently. Sadly, the artificial intelligence of the Roomba is unable to distinguish between dirt and poop. 

Already, there are many horror stories of dog owners coming back home, only to find their Roomba proudly sitting in the middle of the room, showing off all the poop it has smeared across the house. If your dogs are not toilet trained, then the Roomba is a no go. 

Tiles beat carpet

Carpets do not make suitable flooring for a home with dogs as the fabric catches the hair that they shed, making the cleaning process difficult. Besides, dogs often salivate and it is readily absorbed by the carpet, turning it into a catchment for bacteria. For hygiene purposes, opt for bare tiles instead, and pick the harder ones as they are more resistant to scratch marks.

Cover them up

Animals have a habit of maintaining the same sleeping spot in the house, which can take the form of a favourite couch or even your executive chair. As much as we love them, the fur they shed is a sanitary concern. To minimise cleaning effort, throw a cloth over the seat after you have vacated it. You can remove it once your dog has left the spot. Also, leather is a good choice material for your couch as it is easy to wipe, scratch-resistant and less likely to absorb odour.

Invest in nail clippers

Dogs are often energetic creatures and it is in their nature to scrabble about in the house. This could result in torn curtains, punctured leather, scratched upholstery and marred hardwood floor.  One sure way to preserve your furniture and hardwood floor is by maintaining the length of your playful canine’s nails. According to experts, you can trim your dog’s nails at least once every two weeks.

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