Owning a home is the dream of most people, so when the opportunity arises, they take time to make sure every aspect of their new home is perfect. From the color of the tiles to the faucet handles, each decision is made with their own taste in mind.
More than half of all homeowners are also pet owners. If you fall into this category, it’s important to think of your pets as you design your new living space.
When building a new house or making an established structure in your home, don’t forget to consider the needs of your pets too. Many areas of the home can be enhanced to accommodate your furry, feathered, and scaly family members.
Pets Need Their Own Space
Many pet owners consider themselves pet parents and their pets like children. As family members, pets are given toys, furniture, and other pet products to make them comfortable.
When leaving the home, a homeowner has to make a decision on leaving their pet to roam freely or be contained. The answer really depends on your pet.
Dogs can be crate-trained to prevent destructive behaviors. Prepare for your puppy with these products.
5 Tips for Designing a Home with Pets in Mind
A home is a sanctuary where residents can relax and feel at peace. Of course, having a pet may mean a little less peace, but they make up for it in love. As a member of the family, pets deserve their own safe space and some things just for them.
Taking your pets’ needs into consideration when designing a home is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. It can be difficult to know where to begin. These 5 tips for designing a home with pets in mind can get you started.
1. How and Where to Feed Your Pets
Cats and dogs may be very different in many ways. But one thing they have in common is their owners usually put their pets’ food dishes on the floor.
If you have multiple pets of different species, you may need surfaces at varying heights. To address the height differences, homeowners can build a serving station at different heights, complete with removable bowls.
Pet owners will also have to address if the pets will have access to food all day and night or only be fed at specific times. And where will you keep the food to keep it out of the reach of kibble bandits?
2. Easy-to-Clean Flooring and Fabrics
Anyone with pets will tell you that stain-resistant fabrics and flooring are a must-have. Cats, especially, are prone to random fits of vomit. The best way to keep fabrics clean is to choose fabrics that are resistant to spills and messes.
The ease of cleaning isn’t the only aspect of flooring. Some animals, particularly older ones, can find certain types of flooring overly slippery. If you do find that your flooring is too slippery for your pet’s paws, a throw rug or a kitchen runner is an easy solution.
3. Where Will Pets Sleep
Another question every pet owner faces: Will my pet sleep in the bedroom or their own room? And if the bedroom, on the bed or a pet bed?
Some new homeowners make use of empty spaces and convert them to small rooms for their pets. Under the stairs is a popular area that’s often the focus of viral photos on social media. If you don’t have room for a dedicated room for your pet, they can make-do with one corner or small area.
4. Outdoor Access
The traditional doggie door has become almost obsolete after fears of burglars using it to gain entry. If you want your pet to have the freedom to come and go as they please, electronic pet doors open and close only when a fob on your pet’s collar activates the door.
A physical fence or an underground fence is also a debatable topic pet owners should consider. Underground fences don’t work with some dog breeds who are prone to wander.
5. Get Down to Your Pets Level
Depending on the type of pet you have, they probably have a tail. If your pet is a dog, it’s a very enthusiastic tail. Items placed at your dog’s level can easily be knocked over with the swipe. Not to mention all the dangers that you won’t notice from your higher vantage point.
Before bringing pets into the home, do a room-by-room check of how they will see things. This way, you can remove or cover any potential dangers, such as electronic wires and cords. Puppies are especially curious and easily find things you didn’t know were chewable.
Home is Where Your Pet Is
The saying may be “home is where your heart is,” but pet owners have their own version of the adage.
Many pet owners consider their pets to be a part of the family. Even though they are bed-stealing furballs, pets bring joy and happiness to any home.
