Pet Friendly Home Design

It may seem like petfriendly home design is a narrow field, limited to doggie-doors and jump-proof fences, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Petfriendly home design is becoming increasingly popular –– and there are all sorts of products and Pinterest boards to prove it. In fact, according to a 2017 survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors, nearly half of all pet owners have completed a pet-related home renovation project.

“Dogs [and other pets] are inside more and [seen as] family members now,” said Jennifer Larsen, coowner of Firehouse Pet Shop.

While durable floors, new fences, and dog-doors are the most popular petrelated renovations, there are all kinds of options for someone who wants to take their pet into account during the renovation process.

“In a lot of new homes, people are putting in their own self-wash, like a raised tub or shower pan, in their bathroom or mudroom,” said Larsen.

Other renovations include built-in feeding stations in the kitchen, designated dog-runs in the back yard, and enclosed patios so your cats can get some sun. Installing an outdoor outlet is also a good idea, adds Firehouse co-owner, Allen Larsen, so that you will have a place to plug in a heated water bowl during the winter.

Pet-friendly home design isn’t limited to fullscale home renovations, of course. There are a multitude of products on the market that are made to match your existing design while making your home a bit homier for the pets living in it.

“There are doggie doors for your slider,” said Larsen. “You just put a section into your slider so you’re not damaging any walls or doors, and it has the doggie door in it.”

Other products are even more creative. There are end-tables with litter-boxes hidden inside, small “catios” that can be attached to windows, and dog beds that are made to look like posh sofas.

Of course, with all this new innovation, safety should always be at the top of your list. When setting the ambiance of your home, for example, one thing you need to be careful about is fragrances.

“A lot of fragrances, like Glad plug-ins, aren’t necessarily pet-safe, but they aren’t advertised that way,” said Mackenzie Crawford, the general store manager for EarthWise Pet. The fragrances that they use are actually toxic. I’ve been looking into bringing products into the store that are more natural.”

If you have a senior dog, there are even more considerations to take into account. Some people put in ramps, or even design their home to have fewer stairs, said Crawford.

Larsen agrees, adding that considering the type of flooring you have is also important. Hardwood floors can be slippery for older dogs with joint issues and mobility problems, and falling can be dangerous.

Small dogs can also be in danger, particularly from outdoor predators. “We’ve had a lot of issues with dogs and cats getting picked up by owls,” said Larsen. Because of this, Larsen recommends building a safe outdoor area –– preferably covered. With so many things to think about, it can be hard to know where to start. Just keep in mind the basics –– open spaces, an outdoor area to play, and a comfortable spot to rest. Everything else –– the posh dog beds, the litter box end tables, and the built-in, diner-style feeding areas –– is more for you than your pet. So go ahead, go crazy with the matching furniture and coordinated dog bowls, but rest easy knowing that Fido will love you just the same.