How to make furry friends welcome in even the most pristine of homes

• Save your furniture from cat attack by investing in a tall scratch post – cats love to stretch as they scratch. When your pet starts sharpening her claws on a prized armchair, clap to distract her, then carry her to her post. She'll soon get the message about where she can and can't scratch.
• If you hate the idea of pet hair, get a fish. If you can handle a certain amount, give pets regular baths and brush them outside every day. They'll love the pampering treatment.
• Help your home stay fresh smelling with Febreze Fabric Refresher, specially designed for fabrics that won't go in the washing machine: sofa covers, curtains and carpets. It tackles the odours in fabrics to stop them coming back and the special Febreze Pet Odour Eliminator gets rid of not just unpleasant whiffs but 99.9% of bacteria on fabrics as well.
• Give a new puppy a big cage to play or curl up in when you aren't in the room. Pet experts say it will stop him chewing things he shouldn't, and help with house training.
• Get a cat flap with a magnetic opening device on a collar so only your moggie can get inside.
• To avoid unpleasant puddles take puppies outside immediately after they've fed, woken, or played.
• Buy a covered litter tray and keep it away from noisy washing machines and dishwashers. Put feeding bowls in a quiet place, too.
• Make sure a dog can't escape from your garden. Some breeds can even dig under garden fences.
• You can train a rabbit to think he is a big fluffy cat. Rabbits are happy to live indoors, will learn to use a litter tray and can be trained not to chew things. Rats make really good pets, too, and become tame and friendly if handled from a young age.
• Vacuum carpets and upholstery where your pet goes. Some vacuum cleaners are designed to deal with pet hair. Air pets' bedding every day and wash once a week on a hot wash.
• A box of pet toys will help you to bond with pet and it will keep them amused and away from electrics and furniture.