"As for dried grasses, I once used pampas grass in a tall vase, and it looked amazing...until my cat decided it was her new favorite toy."
Haha, totally relate—my dog once mistook a carefully arranged bowl of pinecones for chew toys. Lesson learned: decorative nature items must pass the pet-proof test first...
Haha, totally relate—my dog once mistook a carefully arranged bowl of pinecones for chew toys.
Haha, pets and decor are always a tricky combo. If you're set on natural elements, maybe try sturdier items like driftwood or smooth river stones? They're visually appealing, durable, and less tempting for furry troublemakers...usually.
Haha, I feel your pain on the pinecone incident—my cat once decided a lovely dried flower arrangement was clearly meant as her personal snack bowl. Lesson learned: dried lavender and eucalyptus apparently double as feline appetizers.
A few things I've found helpful (and wallet-friendly!) when decorating with natural stuff around pets:
- Rocks are your friend. Seriously, smooth river stones or even larger decorative rocks look great in bowls or trays. Plus, they're heavy enough that pets usually lose interest pretty fast.
- Driftwood branches are awesome too. They look artsy without trying, and even if your dog decides to gnaw on them, they're tough enough to survive the occasional nibble.
- Air plants are surprisingly hardy and pet-resistant. My cat sniffed mine once, sneezed dramatically, and hasn't touched it since.
- If you like greenery but worry about pet safety (or destruction), hanging plants can be a lifesaver. Just make sure they're non-toxic varieties—spider plants are cheap, safe, and almost impossible to kill (trust me on this one).
Honestly though, no matter how pet-proof you think something is, they'll find a way to surprise you. It's part of their charm...right?
"Honestly though, no matter how pet-proof you think something is, they'll find a way to surprise you."
Couldn't agree more. I've tried driftwood too, and while it's usually sturdy enough, my dog saw it as a personal challenge and shredded it across the living room. One thing that's worked well for me is using large natural baskets or woven trays. They add texture, look great, and my pets haven't shown interest...yet. Fingers crossed it stays that way.
Good call on the baskets—I snagged a couple at a thrift store, and my cat hasn't bothered them either. But have you tried dried grasses or pampas yet? Wondering if they'd survive curious pets...
