StricklandsBlinds.com | StricklandsClosets.com | 5422 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403

(or visit our showroom in the Home Design Center, 4705 Southport Supply Rd, in Southport, NC - by appointment only)

CLOSETS & HOME ORGANIZATIONBLINDS, SHADES, & SHUTTERS

A lot of people say that a pet is what makes a house a home. But, as rewarding as cat and dog ownership can be, we also know that pets can make a house a total mess. Luckily for pet and home lovers everywhere, it only takes a few small changes to ensure you’ve got cat-proof and dog-proof window treatments. Read on for a few simple tips and tricks!

1. My cat is a Peeping Tom who hates view-blocking window blinds but I like my privacy. How can we keep the love alive?Watching the world go by is kind of like kitty TV. Some experts even believe that visual stimulation is one of the top requirements for a happy indoor cat. But does that mean you have to live as if your home was a fi sh bowl? Like any loving relationship, the answer is compromise. Consider designating one window as the uncovered cat spot and applying your favorite window treatments to the rest. Another option may be to install cat-proof window blinds or shades, which allow for both privacy and a controllable view.

2. Fido is a spoiled brat. He has baskets of chew toys, but all he wants to eat are my wooden window blinds. He won’t listen, and I can’t keep replacing them — what do I do?A pugnacious pooch who doesn’t listen and continues to eat the window treatments—is there anything more frustrating? Roller shades to the rescue! Because roller shades cover the entire window, most dogs won’t pay any attention to them. There are no individual slats, so Fido won’t be able to get a good grip for chewing. On top of that, they’re easy to clean and maintain. Another option for anxious chewers? Solar shades. Since solar shades are translucent from the inside, your pup can still see outside if he wants to. But the lack of louvers will send him straight to his toy box for something good to chew!

3. My ninja cat bends blinds in order to get behind them. Afterward, the blinds are all out of sorts (and so am I). Help!It’s not unusual for cats to bend aluminum blinds into an origami mess. The solution may be to swap your blinds for a diff erent kind of window covering. For example:

• Panel Track Blinds: When your cat slips behind fabric panels, they’ll fall right back into place. If a panel or two does get damaged, you can order individual replacements instead of getting all new window treatments.

• Roller shades: Roller shades can be made of almost any type of fabric, wallpaper, or vinyl cloth, you can easily control the amount of light and privacy you get. The key cat facts are: Cats can easily slide behind roller shades without damaging the shade. Unlike mini blinds, these window coverings don’t attract dust or pet hair. There are even cordless operating systems for cats who can’t resist batting strings.

• Faux wood blinds: If you’d really like to stick with the look and function of traditional blinds, faux wood blinds are much more heavy duty than plastic or fabric versions, and therefore more cat-resistant.

7 GREAT IDEAS FOR PET-PROOFING WINDOW TREATMENTS

CLOSETS & HOME ORGANIZATIONBLINDS, SHADES, & SHUTTERS

StricklandsBlinds.com | StricklandsClosets.com | 5422 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403

(or visit our showroom in the Home Design Center, 4705 Southport Supply Rd, in Southport, NC - by appointment only)

THE STRICKLAND’S TEAM(910) 762-0944

4. My muttropolitan pup thinks of himself as our personal home security system. He loves to watch the front yard, but his big head bends the blinds all out of shape! Dogs’ obsessions with windows can quickly grow unhealthy, so fi rst, there are two important distinctions you’ll want to make. If your dog is calm and happy when he looks out the window, that’s fi ne. But if he’s constantly barking or agitated, it could be a sign that he’s feeling frustrated and needs more outdoor exercise. To prevent window-treatment mishaps but still give your dog access to the window, try vertical blinds. Your pup can nose them aside, and they’ll swing back into place, no worse for wear. Plus, they’re easy to clean—just wipe it down, and all that slobber and dog hair will disappear! Think vertical blinds are outdated and unstylish? Not anymore. Today’s vertical blinds have come a long way from the 1980s.

5. My dog gets so excited when he sees my car in the driveway that he runs circles by the window. It’s adorable, but he keeps pulling down my puddled drapes. Help!A dog and the drapes: the original star-crossed lovers (sorry, Romeo and Juliet!). The truth is, puddled drapes just aren’t a good fi t for energetic pups. They collect pet hair, and an excited pooch can easily get himself tangled in them. A better choice? A valance, a cornice board, or curtains hemmed to the edge of the windowsill. The shorter they are, the less likely your dog will be able to tear them down. Plus, they come in a variety of colors and fabrics, so you don’t have to sacrifi ce your sense of style.

6. My cat fought the curtains and the cat won. Having a home with un-clawed drapes is just a dream. Is this the curtain call on my window coverings?Ah, yes. The cat-curtain controversy is a tale as old as time. If you haven’t already done so, it’s a good idea to provide your cat with a tower or post as a scratching and climbing alternative. If you’re beyond such measures, don’t despair. Try exchanging your curtains for plantation shutters. These interior shutters will complement décor like draperies but hold their own against an active cat and resist pet hair better than curtains. They’re extremely versatile, can be made with faux wood, and have even been operated by cats. If you simply can’t let go of curtains, we recommend opting for inexpensive and machine washable material. It’s also a good idea to skip puddled drapes—their extra-long length is just begging for claws and climbing.

7. What else do I need to know about pets and window treatments, so that my next set of shades don’t fall victim to my furry friend? The worst kinds of window coverings for pet owners are aluminum blinds, long drapes, and window shadings with sheer fabrics that attract claws. You should also keep in mind that some cats look at woven wood shades and see scratching posts. No matter what you choose or what type of pet you own, it’s a good idea to go cordless or at least use cord cleats. (After all, you don’t want Fido running off with what he thinks could be a great tug toy!) If your kitty has been waging war on your window treatments or your pup still a little too ruff on your window blinds, don’t admit defeat.

Visit Strickland’s Blinds, Shades & Shutters so we can discuss the right pet-proof window treatment for you!