41% of UK pet owners replace damaged household items annually, Petplan reveals

Our homes are more than just spaces we live in – they can be sanctuaries for both humans and pets alike. However, striking a balance between creating a safe environment for our furry companions and maintaining a harmonious home can be challenging.

A recent survey by Petplan, the UK’s no.1 pet insurer, involving over 1,100 UK cat and dog owners, sheds light on these challenges and offers insights into how pet owners can better protect both their homes and their beloved pets.

The findings reveal that 41% of UK pet owners have replaced household items due to pet damage, with carpets and rugs being the most frequently replaced items. Beyond the wear and tear, our homes also pose hidden risks to pets. Petplan’s survey underlines the dual responsibility of protecting pets from hazards and preventing damage to the home.

Creating a safe home for pets

Our homes can harbour many hidden hazards for pets. Alarmingly, over one in ten (12%) of pet owners are unaware of the potential dangers posed by everyday items such as cleaning products, food related items such as chocolate, garden chemicals, and even certain plants.

Common household items can inadvertently become dangers include:

• Common houseplants including lantana, mistletoe, Easter lily and philodendrons.
• Vapes and e-cigarettes contain highly toxic nicotine, and their casings, batteries, and e-liquids can cause severe harm if ingested.
• Garden chemicals, such as weed killers and pesticides, are dangerous if pets come into contact with them.

“A failure to pet-proof our homes presents real risks to cats and dogs. And with the relative rise of pets that live indoors, it’s more important than ever that we learn how to create a pet-friendly home” says Dr. Brian Faulkner, Petplan vet expert.
Creating a safe and harmonious environment for pets involves taking proactive measures to prevent hazards and minimise damage. To keep your pet safe:
• Avoid poisonous plants like ivy and lilies. Move plants or flowers to a higher level if you’re unsure.
• Ensure cleaning products are out of reach and locked away.
• Safeguard outbuildings with cat flaps so they don’t get stuck.
• Keep bins covered and keep poisonous foods out of reach.
• For cats, keep rope and string-based toys out of reach when not playing.
• Use a child-gate or dog-gate to keep your pets away while you’re cooking.
• Keep vapes, medication and e-liquid bottles shut in a secure container, out of reach.

How to protect your home

Balancing a safe home for pets with minimising damage to furniture and household items is a shared challenge among pet owners. In fact, 41% of UK pet owners have replaced household items due to pet damage, with many reporting they do so as often as twice a year.

To reduce wear and tear, some owners are adopting proactive solutions:
• 21% use sofa covers to protect furniture.
• 20% close off certain rooms to limit pet access.
• Regular grooming helps reduce pet hair, cited as the biggest cleaning challenge for 52% of owners.

Nicky Trevorrow, Behaviour Manager at Cats Protection, provides insights into managing pet behaviour:“Scratching is a natural behaviour for cats, but it can wreak havoc on your sofa if your cat is not given an appropriate outlet for their scratching,” explains Nicky Trevorrow, Behaviour Manager at Cats Protection.

“Stop your cat from scratching furniture by making the area less appealing. Wash previously scratched spots with laundry liquid or disinfectant to remove their scent. Then cover the area with materials cats dislike, like foil, polythene, sandpaper, or decorator’s flooring protection film. Providing suitable scratching posts in areas where your cat is scratching (for example, next to sofas) as well as close to where they sleep (as they tend to scratch when they first wake up) and near entry and exit points (for scratch marking) and rewarding them for using those instead of furniture can make a big difference.”

Similarly, Nick Jones, Petplan Pet Expert and dog behaviourist, advises:
“Chewing is especially common in dogs, particularly puppies, as they explore the world or soothe teething discomfort. The key is to offer plenty of chew-safe toys and rotate them regularly to keep your dog engaged. If chewing becomes a problem, it can be a sign they need more mental or physical stimulation, or that they may be suffering from other anxiety related conditions such as separation anxiety- an experienced behaviour specialist will be able to help you identity the reason behind excessive chewing.”

To protect your furniture:
• Introduce scratching posts to protect your sofa.
• Invest in covers for chairs and sofas.
• Invest in chew toys so they don’t chew table legs etc.
• Consider training pets not to go on furniture.
• Use safe scents such as lavender or citrus to deter cats from scratching.
• Groom pets regularly to keep excess pet hair under control.
• Loop your curtains so they can’t be clawed (but avoid tie-back cords).
• Use clean litter trays for cats. Give puppies regular toilet breaks.
By implementing these strategies, pet owners can create homes that are both safe for their furry friends and resilient to the occasional mishaps that come with pet ownership. Petplan customers have access to our Pet Expert Chat service, providing free veterinary, nutritional and behavioural advice.