Pet-friendly Painting

Having the painters in? This dog, relaxing during a job by Sydney painters Courtney & Wise, demonstrates the right attitude on the part of pets. They know you'll take care of them, so they can sleep.

Here are some tips for pet-friendly painting:

• You know your dog best. If your pet is likely to run through the room and knock down the ladder, bite the painters, or taste the paint, you should think about finding another place for your dog while the painters are in. 
• Choose washable semi-glass paint for all the areas your pet can reach. Flat paints are very hard to clean. A dog will often have a favorite resting spot, such as a corner of the room, and the paint in that area can become grubby.
• Choose non-toxic paints. This is the best plan in any case, but it's especially important if you have pets or children in the house. They might decide to lick the paint, and their smaller respiratory systems can be more affected by toxins.
• Think about keying your colour scheme to your dog's fur. A tweed carpet or loose cover that's a good match to the dog's coat will cut down on cleaning by making it less obvious when your pet has shed a hair or two. Make this choice, and then pick paint to tone nicely with the soft furnishings. 
• Remember that everything your dogs can reach is something they might reach. If you want something very special, like a pricey wall paper or a mural, plan to put it above their heads. 

You can have a beautiful home and a dog. It just takes a bit of planning.