How ‘pet zones’ can help keep your house tidy

From a practical entryway to a dedicated feeding spot, a few simple areas can make pet-related mess easier to manage. A home shared with pets rarely stays spotless for long. Wet paws, stray toys, loose leads and splashes around the water bowl can quickly spread from room to room. Having a few zones across your home can help minimise pet-related messes. Picture: GettyA pet zone gives everyday routines a place of their own. It could be a washable mat by the door, a basket for toys or a corner for food and water — not a separate room or a way to shut pets away. Here are four simple zones to try. The entryway Make the entryway your first line of defence against wet paws. An absorbent mat and a clean towel give you somewhere to wipe paws before your pet heads further inside. The Dirty Dog Doormat holds up to seven times its weight in water. Picture: Dog CultureChoose a mat with enough room for your pet to stand on, and check that its backing helps keep it in place. The Dirty Dog Doormat from Dog Culture has a gripper backing and can be machine-washed. Another option is Bunnings’ Clean Step microfibre doormat, which has a non-slip backing and is made from cotton and microfibre. Keep a dr...