Pet Friendly Blinds Guide | Blog | 247 Blinds

Pet proof blinds are those that take into account any extra functions or requirements you might have if you own a pet. As well as being durable, safe, and easy to clean - pet proof blinds also need to take into consideration your furry-friends wants and needs, helping to prevent them from damaging your blinds down the line. Therefore, it’s important to have an understanding of your pet’s behaviour to best accommodate their quirks, and keep your blinds and bank account safe! 

One reason pets take such a liking to window dressings is down to their territorial nature. Many owners will agree that one of their pet’s favourite pastimes is sitting and watching the world go by out of the window, often assigning themself the role of personal home security guard (even when their size doesn’t quite fit the requirements for the job!). A large reason for this hobby is your pet’s instinct to protect what’s theirs…we mean yours(ish), so you can imagine not being able to see out of the window can be quite a stressful experience for pets. 

A quick fix to avoid any one-sided wrestles between your pet and your blinds is to keep your blinds at least partially open to allow them to see out. Giving them a good view of what’s going on outside will help them see there are no threats hiding behind the blinds and they don’t need to be in defence mode. As much as we love our pets, we also love our privacy, and this might not be an ideal fix for windows facing onto busy streets or overlooking houses. Therefore a good compromise can be found in slatted blinds like Venetians or verticals, this way you can keep the slats tilted open letting your pooch see out, whilst also maintaining some privacy from passers-by. 

Beyond behavioural considerations, there are a number of practical features and functions you can look for in blinds to boost their chances of survival in your home! 

Cordless Blinds 

Cats in particular can often find the gentle sway of a loose blind cord or chain irresistible - and this can not only result in damage to your blinds, but can also be a hazard for your kitty if they’re to get tangled up in the controls. You can minimise this risk (and the allure of said blind controls) by following instructions when fitting and attaching the relevant safety mechanism to keep chains and cords taut to the wall and out of the way. 

For extra peace of mind (and extra-determined cats) opt for one of our cordless options. Cordless controls are available in pleated, Perfect Fit, Clip Fit and Stick Fit styles and mean that all cords are neatly tucked away inside the blind itself. These cord-free choices use a tension-system to open and close meaning you can simply push or pull the blinds to adjust them - satisfying! 

Easy to Clean Blinds

If you’re working with a puppy or have a dog with a seemingly magnetic attraction to puddles and dirt - opting for blinds that are easy to clean is a must! We offer 100% waterproof roller and vertical blinds which can be wiped or even hosed down depending on the severity of any incidents! Alternatively, our faux wooden blinds are also waterproof and can easily be wiped clean to look good as new in seconds. 

Sturdy Materials

If your pooch is particularly boisterous, choose blinds made from denser, sturdier materials so they’re less susceptible to breaking or bending. Our faux wooden Venetians are made with PVC which is denser than real wood and will therefore provide more of a challenge for your pets to break! Alternatively, our DIY faux wood shutters are made from the same material and have thick louvres with a full frame, making a great option for homes with pets!

As we’ve discussed, the best blind for your pet will depend on their behaviours and quirks. For example, if your cat was a mountain goat in a past life, we wouldn’t advise going for Venetian blinds (AKA climbing frame in cat lingo), but if your dog likes to perch by the window and watch the world go by, slatted blinds might be a great way to let them do that without impeding on your privacy. 

That being said, we do have a few recommendations that might help guide you in choosing the best blinds for your own pet! 

Day Night Blinds

These are a great alternative to Venetians for any pets that might want to use your blinds as a ladder. Composed of two panels of opaque and transparent stripes, Day Night blinds allow you to let light in, maintain privacy, and give pets a view through the sheer stripes without the risk of them poking their heads through the gaps! As with all our blinds, Day Nights come with a safety mechanism or ‘cleat’ that fixes to the wall and keeps the control chain taut and in place so there’s no risk of your pet getting tangled up. 

Perfect Fit Pleated Blinds

These no drill blinds sport an integrated design, clipping onto the window frames themselves. This makes it difficult for your pets to get a good grasp of the blind itself and means there’s little chance of coming home to your blinds on the floor! On top of that, they’re also cordless and can be opened from the top and the bottom - ticking the boxes when it comes to safety and giving your pets a spot to watch the world go by!