Stylish & Sturdy: Pet Owners’ #1 Window Coverings Guide

Juliette Victoria | 25 Oct 2024 | Seasonal Trends

If you're a pet owner, you know how important it is to create a safe and comfortable home for your furry friends. In this blog, we'll show you how to choose window coverings that are both stylish and sturdy. We'll help you find options that look great in your home while keeping your pets safe from harm. Join us as we explore the best window treatments for homeowners who love their four-legged companions!

A woman and her dogs sitting on a bed with cream bedding. The room is bright and has windows with white, light filtering roller shades.

What blinds and shades are best for pets?

  • Faux Wood Blinds: These blinds look just as good as real wood but are more durable and scratch resistant. Just keep an eye on larger dogs—they can still do some serious damage to faux wood blinds if they get too rowdy.

Black cat climbing through closed faux wood blinds.

  • Vertical Blinds: Pets can nudge the vanes aside without any fuss, and if one gets damaged, you can simply swap it out instead of replacing the whole thing. Plus, vertical blinds are a breeze to clean—just soap and water, and you’re good to go!
  • Roller Shades: They allow pets to slip behind them and explore while being super easy to clean. You can simply wipe roller shades down or even wash them, depending on the material.

What are the worst blinds and shades for pets?

  • Aluminum Blinds: Also known as mini blinds, these blinds might be easy on the wallet, but they’re not so great if your pets decide to play rough. Those slats bend faster than you can say “oops!”
  • Cellular Shades: While they’re great at insulating your home, these shades can be a cat's worst nightmare. Claws can get caught in the cellular shade fabric, leading to potential stress for both you and your kitty.
  • Woven Wood Shades: Gorgeous but tricky—your cat might mistake the natural material in woven wood shades for a scratching post! Not ideal if you want to keep both your shades and your pet safe.
  • Long Curtains and Drapes: Can someone say fur magnets?! The pooling fabric of curtains attracts pet hair, making it tough to keep your space clean. Plus, dogs might pull on them, and cats could try to climb them, which can lead to disasters.

How to Pet-Proof Your Blinds and Shades

Don’t want to buy entirely new window treatments? No worries! Here’s how to pet-proof your already-existing blinds and shades.

  • Window to the World: Often times, your pets are pawing at your window treatments because they want to see outside. By simply raising your blind or shade (bonus points if it's out of their reach), you're essentially "turning on the tv" for them.

A blue office with white furniture. A dog looking out the window in an office. The is looking out a window with slightly raised faux wood blinds.

  • Cut the Cord: Use cord cleats to keep cords dangling cords out of the way. With no dangling cords, your pets won’t have anything to tangle with or chew on!
  • No Chew Spray: Remind your pets that your blinds and shades aren’t a snack with bitter spray. This simple step can protect your blinds while keeping your pets’ teeth safe from splinters and frayed fabric.
  • Redirect Your Cat’s Attention: Place cat trees and scratching posts near your window treatments to prevent your cat from ruining your blinds and shades.

Orange cat lounging on a beige cat tree next to a window with open, white faux wood blinds.

Bonus Tips for Maintaining your Blinds and Shades

  • Clean Regularly: Over time, pet hair, dander and dust can build up on your blinds, shades and curtains. Make sure to vacuum or dust your window coverings regularly. For fabric treatments, use the right cleaners to spot-clean any stains from your pets.
  • Routine Inspections: Check your window coverings for any signs of wear and tear, like frayed cords or bent slats. If you notice any issues, fix them right away. This helps prevent accidents and keeps your window treatments in good shape.

Damaged Window Treatments? No Problem!

If your window treatments need a little TLC, don’t fret! Contact us at Blinds.com to find the perfect match for your room. Whether you need a full replacement or just a few pieces, we’ve got you covered with great discounts and options tailored to your needs.

Choosing the right window coverings for your home as a pet owner doesn’t have to be a challenge. By opting for durable, easy-to-clean options and applying the pet-proofing strategies above, you can create a stylish space that keeps your furry friends safe and happy. So, explore our options on Blinds.com and let your pets lounge in style—because a happy pet makes for a happy home! (And don’t forget to give your dog a pet and tell your cat “pspsps” for us!)

  • About Author

    A Houston native and proud University of Houston graduate, Juliette joined Blinds.com as a marketing copywriter in January 2023. She is a dedicated mom to Sage, a German Shepherd mix, and Mayari, a black cat. In her free time, Juliette enjoys playing video games, spending time with her family and tackling escape rooms. A fun fact about her is that she finds great joy in organizing spaces and believes her label maker is the best thing since sliced bread.