I can't tell you how I cringe when I see photos of cats lounging in windows with improper window treatments. By "improper window treatments" I am speaking of curtains and primarily window blinds that have string cords attached to them or the rods that you pull to open the blinds or drapes that hang from the side (like a wand in a cat's mind).
When a cat sees a cord dangling from window blinds the first thing they see is a TOY. The cat reaches for the cord and can become tangled. The cat would inevitably become terrified which could cause the cord to wrap around it's paws, it's body...or worse, it's neck which could cause it to be strangled. Rods that attach to blinds/curtains also pose dangers, the cat can cause the drapery or blinds to come crashing down if they attempt to play with it, which would terrify them...or worse......possibly kill them.
I am ashamed to say that for over 17 years I lived with the blinds featured below.
Not only are they hideous to look at, but they clang and crash in the wind, they allow heat and cold to come through the windows and do not block the sun adequately. (We get the late day sun which in the summer makes our second story condo, HOT). Many of you were experiencing hotter than normal temperatures last summer and we were no different. What did I do to try and block out part of that afternoon sun? Look at the embarrassing photo below:
Don't say I didn't warn you! It's embarrassing and disgusting! I had to put a sheet up to block some of the sun. I had to also keep two sides open so that Cody could sit in the window. This is disgusting to look at!
Last summer I joined Dealspotr a website where influencers can find products to promote. A company named:
who posted that they were looking for individuals to test and promote their blinds. I visited their website, loved what I saw and applied thinking that no way would they ever approve a cat blogger! It was my LUCKY DAY! They did!!!
ABOUT Zebrablinds.com
They offer the most affordable blinds and shades found online. You meeasure and install
yourself, using their guidelines or live help, and save by getting the best
prices online through ZebraBlinds. ZebraBlinds provides the products directly from the
manufacturers, including everything you need to install. Free shipping and free
samples available.
Tbeir products range from simple and affordable aluminum blinds to
high-tech smart motorized shades that are compatible with home automation and
voice assistants such as Google Home.
Whether you are looking for a new blind for your living room,
looking to experiment with home automated smartblinds, or you need to do your
whole house, they have a variety of products available at the lowest prices found
online.
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| Photo Courtesy of ZebraBlinds cordless-tdbu-mirage-blackout-cellular-shade-crown |
From the first day I was put in contact with Jeff Lee from ZebraBlinds the customer service that they provide was evident. Not only was I incredibly annoying asking zillions of questions, I was concerned about the measurements I provided being correct. Jeff was more than patient addressing all of my concerns and answering all of my questions. He helped me figure out which blinds would be best for me based on my top concerns:
1) Safety for Cody
2) Their ability to block out the late day sun
3) Their ability to help block out drafts in the winter
4) They had to be aesthetically pleasing
ZEBRABLINDS OFFERS:
A huge selection of
customizable blinds, shades, shutters and draperies.
When you shop at ZebraBlinds.com, you can choose from thousands
of styles, colors and types of window treatments. From solar shades and roller
blinds to blackout shades and traditional draperies, they have what you are looking for! All of their products can be ordered in a wide range of sizes and colors, with the add on
options you want, so you can create just the right window treatment for
you.
Do you have unusually shaped or very large windows that you
simply can't find treatments for anywhere else? They can help you there, as well
with their custom sizing options.
I have a living room window that is rather difficult to fit, the blinds that Jeff and I agreed would be best for me are the Cordless TDBU Mirage Blackout Cellular Shades Crown
ZebraBlinds.com, offers free samples. Just sign in to your account and hover over any color or style you want to order. Their free samples let you try out the fabrics, styles and colors that interest you, all in the comfort and privacy of your own home.
Jeff helped me with everything, when I couldn't decide between two of the colors that I wanted, he sent me free color swatches in the mail of the two so I could make a decision. I couldn't be more thrilled with the color that I chose which is called "Tussah".
From the moment I placed my order ZebraBlinds updated me in a timely and professional manner letting me know the order was received, how I could track it and when it was expected to arrive.
When my blinds arrived it came with the hardware that was needed for easy installation as well as printed instructions. (The instructions are also available online and are clear and easy to understand).
I am not handy at all, nor is my husband but my incredible son-in-law kindly offered to put the blinds up for me and I have to say he had them up in probably less than 20 minutes!!
All you need is a small 3-step stool, a hand drill and a tape measure. All of the hardware is provided!
My shades have the The Cordless Top down Bottom-Up combined feature that will be particularly great when summer returns. I can choose to open as much as I wish at the top and the bottom.
As I mentioned I think I drove poor Jeff crazy with questions and emails throughout the process that pertained to measuring, ordering and installation he is the perfect example of the superb customer service that ZebraBlinds provides. ZebraBlinds has an "unwavering dedication to customer service."
At ZebraBlinds.com, they believe that low prices and an amazing selection aren't enough. They also want to
offer a pleasant and hassle-free shopping experience. That's why they offer live
customer support with a dedicated and friendly team of support specialists. If
you ever need them, they are here to help. They also offer free shipping on most of their products.
ZebraBlinds stands behind
what they do!
Their 100% money-back
guarantee is applicable on all first orders under $50. If you’re unsatisfied
for any reason, you have 30 days to return your product for a refund.
In addition to their money
back guarantee, they also offer a limited life time manufacturer warranty on most
products. Our warranty gives you extra peace of mind.
The Final Test: What Did Cody Do?
Cody immediately returned to his spot in the window. He sniffed at the blinds and hasn't attempted to scratch them. He has MORE ROOM than he did with the previous blinds and doesn't have to crash into them to sit and look out the window. I have the blinds open even higher today to allow more light in and to give Cody a wonderful view during the daytime hours. I also have peace of mind that he won't have a window rod/wand that he could knock everything down with. Cody didn't miss a beat and I think that HE prefers them too!
I couldn't be happier with my experience with ZebraBlinds, from the initial stages of decision making and questions, through the delivery, installation and use of the product. I am ecstatic!!!! The shades are high quality and I am LOVING looking at them.
Now..........what to do about my DOORWALL??? Hello ZebraBlinds, I WILL BE BACK!!
EXCLUSIVE DEALS FOR YOU!!
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LATEST DEALS FROM ZEBRABLINDS
USE THIS REFERRAL CODE to get 5% off of your purchase: CATANDDOGCAREN
This post is sponsored by ZebraBlinds. I received the blinds at no charge. ZebraBlinds is not responsible for the content of this post. , Cody and I only share information we feel is of interest to our readers.
The new blinds look great!
ReplyDeleteOur new house already had Venetian blinds installed by previous owners before we moved in and though they are black, and I would prefer white, we've left them for now. Unfortunately, they are the type you mention and I keep a watchful eye over Athena all the time. She hasn't shown any interest in the cords yet.
Also, our patio door has those hideous vertical blinds you mention. No slats are missing and they are good at blocking out the light. We will be replacing them all sometime in the future. I am thinking about plantation shutters. In white of course :)
Purrs xx
Athena and Marie
Thank you! I love plantation shutters (and think white would be so pretty), do they go up high enough for Athena to look out the window?
DeleteHow awesome that you got new cat-safe window treatments! Sadly for us, our old windows don't actually have a ledge for us to sit in... so it really doesn't matter what type of window treatment we use.
ReplyDeleteThese Zebra Blinds seem pretty cool. Here, we have those cheesy 1" vinyl blinds you find everywhere. Dad used to work at properties that have those damned (he uses a different, more... expressive term) vinyl vertical blinds. He and mom never cared much for those.
ReplyDeleteyep! I think the ones you are referring to are the ones I just took down!
DeleteBlinds are always an issue when you have cats and the ones you got look very cat friendly. At my last house, Frankie would jump on my wife's dresser and tear up the blinds whenever I went outside to check on laundry or something. He had to see what I was doing. We replaced those with verticals. In our new house we replaced a couple of cheap, broken blinds with cordless blinds which were not as nice as yours. Just yesterday I applied that vinyl that looks like stained glass on our door but I ran short and have to get more today. It has a good, heavy duty blind on it now but Floki has pulled at the strings that hold it together so much that it has become a choke hazard and we have to get rid of it.
ReplyDeletethere you go! Years ago when I lived in a different apartment I had cord blinds with Bobo and always had to keep them pulled up (because of the cord).........these have been up a few days now and I love that there are no cords and that I can keep them open enough that Cody can sit there without messing with them.
DeleteMom says the cats are far more destructive to our house than any of us dogs. We have wooden blinds, but the cords have to be tucked away up high or they will rip into them. Nice to know there are good blinds for homes with cats.
ReplyDeleteLove them and just in time for the cold weather to arrive. You'll be warmer. I'm so happy you have new blinds.
ReplyDeleteHave a purrfect day, Cody. My best to your wonderful mom. ♥
thank you! I sure hope so! that window is incredibly drafty in the winter....the cold comes through the window in the winter and the heat in the summer........hoping these help! xoxo
DeleteChuck chewed through many window blind cords! We have a menagerie of blinds in the house, just because there are so many windows, and they are tall and narrow. Thanks for the info on ZebraBlinds!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Those Zebra's look amazing. We could use some for Grandpaw's room, he has the same decoration as you had in picture three, only his curtains are with stripes and belong on the couch...MOL :D Purrfect review, Cody :) Pawkisses for a Happy October 🐾😽💞
ReplyDeleteOMC you are so silly! And thank you!!! xoxo
DeleteThose look like nice blinds. We have blinds with the hanging cords (yeah, they’re like toys for us). The mom always puts the cords up high so that we can’t reach them. But these blinds would be better.
ReplyDeleteyep these definitely would be better!!
DeleteWe have curtains and the kitties redecorate when they fancy with hole and such.
ReplyDeleteEmma and Buster
Those are sure nice and purrhaps they would be Simon proof!
ReplyDeleteI think they just might be Simon proof!!
DeleteThose look wonderful. I must admit I couldn't care less about the vertical blind cords or the very well tucked in drape cords. I LOVE being as noisy as I can banging on those blinds every morning and night. Heh heh! We have YUGE windows and had to have both blinds and drapes custom made.
ReplyDeleteMy windows are large too, these were also custom made :)
DeleteThose are great! We have old fashioned roller shades, but I will tell my niece about them. She could use some with 2 cats, a dog and 2 kids.
ReplyDeleteWe only have blinds upstairs that we actually use, and no kitties are allowed there...e do have roller blinds in our other windows on the main floor, but we rarely have those down. But your new blinds look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteMy Mom in Law had blinds which were inside the windowpanes. Sounded like a great idea, but the dust would collect in there...not so great.
My sister has vertical blinds...and while no slats are missing, they do seem to be cumbersome to say the least. While you think your pink sheet was ugly...I think it was a good solution as a temporary fix, MOL! Sometimes you have to do what you have to do! Just hope no company comes by unexpectedly,MOL! Ask me how I know...
It happened to me too with that darned sheet! Oh and the sheet was red to make it even worse!! My husband said it looked like a Psychics reading room lol. But...for the summer the sheet worked lol
DeleteGreat review! We have cords tucked way up high and those vertical blinds on the sliding glass door too. Somepuppy likes to pull them down so won't be anything new in our house until she's grown up in 4 or 8 years! #kiddingnotkidding #puppiesdontstop
ReplyDeleteWe used to have those same blinds you had at our old house. I hated them! When we moved to our new house, I vowed I would not have any of that type or the type with the cord (I'd try tying them up out of the way of the pets and they'd just end up n a big ugly knot!!). I was so thrilled to find cordless ones, and love them. They were not cheap though. Next time I need some I will definitely look at this brand!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your great review of these blinds. We have sun light that comes in too bright during half of the morning into the afternoon. We keep the blinds closed but the little ones always find a way to knock down the blind or crawl under then that breaks it. We are going to take a look at these. Something different around the house. You look to be happy and Cody has his window view back again. Have a great day. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteWorld of Animals
oh my! Thank YOU for your lovely comment!! If you do take a look and find something to suit you, please take advantage of the 5% discount code that I provided and if you get them I definitely want to see them. You will love them! Thank you for your kind words!
DeleteWhat great looking blinds! And they sound fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could get something like them for the townhouse. Makes me wish I was not a renter.
Love Barb
Great review and how wonderful to have such a wonderful son-in-law to install them. Love the fact you can open and close them at the top. They are very attractive looking too.
ReplyDeletethank you!!! Yes I am lucky that he is handy, God knows my husband isn't!! We love the blinds!
DeleteWhat gorgeous blinds! Finding something durable and cat-safe is always a challenge. Our biggest challenge is our sunroom, which doesn't have full window frames (who built that thing onto the house, anyhow?), so we will have to read up to see if blinds like these would fit the windows.
ReplyDeleteThank you!! Also, if you message ZebraBlinds or use their side bar chat, they can answer all of your questions! Take advantage of the discount code!
DeleteI love that top down feature! We have curtains in our house (no cords or strings), but I have a window I would love to try these out in. Great review and post!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Take advantage of the discount code!
DeleteThose new blinds are great ! Purrs
ReplyDelete