Pets can be so cute - and cats and dogs in particular can really feel like they bring a family together and make a house more homely.

However, they can also be very messy - and this can come as a surprise to new pet owners in particular, no matter how much you might think you have mentally prepared yourself for an increased cleaning workload.

You can stop yourself from getting too frustrated by taking preventative measures before being faced with a bigger cleanup job after a bit of misbehaviour.

Hair

First and foremost among the cleaning-related issues faced by pet owners is hair. Dogs might be slightly better behaved than cats in this respect, as they generally keep to the floor, where cats love to climb all over shelves and surfaces and get to the highest parts of the house.

You can start managing this by keeping a towel or blanket in the place where your pet likes to rest, shaking it off outdoors every now and then to keep on top of the bulk of pet hair in the home.

Floors

Vacuuming is something you'll find you have to do a lot more of - particularly if you have carpets. Several times a week on full suction should be enough - and it is a good idea to look for a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, as this can keep hair and some allergens at bay.

An electrostatic mop is good for wood and hard floors, as they don't blow hair around, which can make them more efficient.

Clothing

Lint rollers are your best friend when it comes to keeping clothes free of excess pet hair - and this applies to upholstery as well.

These can be kept looped on ribbons hanging from doorknobs or coat hangers so they can be conveniently accessed in every room.