Prevent a Fido Freak-Out With Petco Home Decor

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Backpacks are ready, school supplies are bought and millions of kids are heading back to school this fall. While the house may seem quiet, the "Back to School" blues can trigger stress on the household pet, causing them to take it out on a favorite pair or shoes or even the family couch. Do-it-yourself expert and radio star, Eric Stromer, shares some simple ways to design a beautiful, yet comforting space in the house that will help pets feel emotionally secure and make all the difference between peace and quiet and a real cat-asrophe!

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1. Give Pets a Safe Space: "Start off by giving pets a special area that's just for them," says Stromer. Kids have their own room so there's no reason the family fur-child shouldn't have a clean and tidy space to call their own. "Making space for pets doesn't mean giving up on the design of your house," says Stromer. "Products like the Petco Premium Wood Dog Crate are a great choice to integrate a safe place for your pet to lounge while still creating style in your home." A comfortable bed is also important for a pet while the family is away for the day. For cat parents, Stromer recommends Petco's Sage Leaf Lounger. "This comfy green leaf pattern is a stylish addition to any home and can work well with many types of decor." For those wanting to add a pop of color to their home, Stromer opts for the Petco Quilted Couch Dog Bed in orange. He says, "the fashion forward color will not only brighten your dog's day, but orange is said to evoke feelings of vitality and happiness."
2. Consider Placement: Placement is equally important when it comes to creating a safe space for pets. This can contribute to the pet's well-being by using design elements to naturally calm and relax a pet. Stromer suggests designing the animal's safe space near the left corner or center of a wall, while also placing it far away from the main entrance of the house. For the pet's safety, beds should be kept away from any doors that could swing open or under any heavy objects that could fall. "Some experts also say a pet bed should not face a long corridor or open door because the pet's chi could flow away from the bed too quickly," warns Stromer. "Others caution placing a pet bed in a corner or near a window since energy could stagnate in such spots." Be sure there are not any water elements near where a pet sleeps since this could disturb their rest. Eric also recommends putting the cat litter box in the corner of a room. This will help the cat feel safe and protected by the surrounding walls, while not taking away from the decoration of the house. "I love the Petco Premium Privacy Please Den because not only is it a beautiful piece of furniture, but you can easily store the litter box here meaning this vital feline necessity doesn't ruin the beauty of your house."
3. Store Food Properly: Keeping a pet's food stored properly not only helps a pet parent stay organized, but also ensures the design of the house is not disrupted by the bags or cans of pet food. Stromer recommends getting a secure container that the entire bag can be transferred into. "I like the Buddeez Pet Food Dispenser because it stores up to 22 pounds of dog food, and the easy-to-pour design means the food ends up in the bowl and not on your floor," says Stromer. Plus, storing food securely means Fido or Fluffy won't get into it while the pet parent is away. Raw pet food is also a growing trend in pet health. For those following the raw food movement with their pet, Eric mentions choosing a stainless steel or glass storage container because they keep raw food fresh and are easy to clean and sanitize after use.
4. Find a Balance: Having enough toys to keep pets mentally stimulated while they are home alone and still maintaining a beautiful decor can be a hard balance. "Luckily, there are some great products that can actually do both so the house doesn't feel cluttered," says Eric. The Petco Convertible Cat Ottoman not only provides a great place for cats to lounge and play, but by flipping the cat toy top over, it doubles as an extra seat for houseguests.
5. Pets Help People Too: It's important to keep in mind that pets can actually be good for their pet parents' health and can create positive energy in the house. Their lively vitality works as an energizer in the home and they serve as wonderful protectors. Just petting a dog or cat can often reduce stress and calm a person down. Eric says, "Consider this food for thought the next time you're experiencing any negative energy as you change Fluffy's litter box!"

For more information on pet home decor products visit www.petco.com/wholepets.

About Petco
Petco is a leading pet specialty retailer that provides the products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents. Everything we do is guided by our vision for Healthier Pets. Happier People. Better World. We operate more than 1,200 stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico, including more than 50 Unleashed by Petco locations, a smaller format neighborhood shop, and www.petco.com.  The Petco Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, has raised more than $110 million since it was created in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and support thousands of local animal welfare groups across the country and, through in-store adoption events, help find homes for more than 350,000 animals every year.

About Eric Stromer:
What do you get when you mix construction, comedy and music? Chicago native Eric Stromer, star of over 300 episodes of such hit shows as OVER YOUR HEAD (HGTV) and CLEAN SWEEP (TLC), author of Do-It-Yourself Family, and one of People magazine's "Sexiest Men Alive." Eric's entertaining DIY advice and infectious personality have won the hearts of millions of viewers nationwide! He's been a spokesman for SEARS/Craftsman Tools and can be heard regularly dishing out home improvement advice to listeners of Adam Carolla's nationally syndicated radio show. He can be heard weekly on YourHomewizards.com, a nationally syndicated radio show on home and life improvement. Also, Eric just completed recording his first full-length country music album in Nashville, which will be released later this year.  Prior to joining the HGTV family, Eric starred on TLC's Clean Sweep, NBC's Three Wishes and as a special correspondent for the syndicated entertainment news magazine The Insider.

Contact:
Krista Lamp
619-501-2756
[email protected]

SOURCE Petco