Moving in when you have a pet
When you’re moving to Melbourne and looking for a place to own or rent, you might have a pet that you’re bringing along.
Figures from the Australian Council of Animal Companions show that incredibly, almost two in three Australian households have a pet. Out of these, furry animals seem to be the companion of choice, with 53 per cent of pet owners having a dog, cat or both. Still, between the two, canines stole the limelight in terms of popularity, with 40 per cent of pet owners having a dog.
Unsurprisingly, more than 90 per cent of pet owners reported having a close relationship with their pets. Perhaps this is why McCrindle’s Renter of the Future reports reveals that 32 per cent of people cited pet-friendliness as a desired lifestyle feature – the second most popular that was listed.
However, not every home is configured to accommodating a pet. If you have an animal companion, take a look at things to consider when deciding where to live in Melbourne.
Many cats and dogs were found to have a high level of Teflon chemical contamination, which is a result of carpet exposure.
No to carpet
While carpet can be great to have on those frosty winter mornings, it isn’t the best type of flooring to have when you have a pet to think about. Firstly, carpet traps plenty of hair and fur, which are filled with bacteria. Carpet flooring that endures the presence of animals must not only be vacuumed more regularly but professionally cleaned too. Carter’s Carpet Restoration recommends having this done once every six to 12 months for homes with pets.
Furthermore, carpet often contains toxins and chemicals that can be a threat to animals. Research from the Environmental Working Group shows that many cats and dogs were found to have a high level of Teflon chemical contamination – a chemical that can be harmful even in small doses – which is a result of carpet exposure.
If you have a feline or canine companion, we think it’s best to stay away from homes with carpet.
Yes to wood and tiles
So, if having carpet isn’t a good option, this means you’ll want to look for homes that have solid flooring. Wood is a great option as it’s easy to clean and maintain. Not to mention it simply looks stunning in just about any home and gives it a little more personality.
However, clawed animals can give wood floors a hard time, which means you’ll want to find properties that use highly-durable materials like oak, maple, mahogany and cherry. Still, be sure to keep your cat or dog’s claws/nails clipped regularly after moving to Melbourne to keep impact damage low.
Tiles are also another great option to consider. While they may not always look quite as stylish as sleek wooden floors, they’re even more impervious to damage than hardwood floors. Plus, they give your pet a great place to chill out as they don’t heat up as much as wood in the summer sun.
Want the best of both worlds? Find a home with hardwood floors and place rugs about.
Opt for duvets and slipcovers over your sofas and beds.
Yes to duvets and slipcovers
Animals are messy creatures, that’s for sure. Unless you’ve trained your pet to have the discipline of a police detection dog, there’s a fair chance you’ve experienced barf, hairballs or something of the sort on your favourite couch. So when you’ve found somewhere to live in Melbourne and have moved in, opt for duvets and slipcovers draped over your sofas and beds. This will allow you to quickly switch it out and throw it in the wash when things go south.
If you’re wondering where the best places to live in Melbourne are, get in touch with Nelson Alexander. We have a vast range of offices across a great range of suburbs in the city.
