Your Dog and Your Home Tips
For remodeling your home with your canine companion in mind, it can become too easy to lose yourself in a catalog of fashionable dog beds and bowls. However, ensuring that your interiors and landscaping are pet-friendly involves more than aesthetics.
If you’re moving home and looking to adopt a dog this year, these pet-friendly home improvement ideas can make the process efficient and enjoyable.
Pet Friendly Vacuum
- CLEAN SMARTER - Sleek, premium design complements your home décor; The Roomba 692 is a great way to begin cleaning your home smarter. Just schedule it to clean up daily dirt, dust, and debris with the iRobot HOME app or your voice assistant.
- LOOSENS, LIFTS, AND SUCTIONS - The 3 Stage Cleaning system and Dual Multi-Surface brushes grab dirt from carpets and hard floors, an Edge-Sweeping brush takes care of corners and edges.
- LEARNS YOUR LIFE LISTENS TO YOUR VOICE - Learns your cleaning habits to offer up personalized schedules, while Google Assistant and Alexa allow you to start cleaning with just the sound of your voice.
- ADAPTIVE NAVIGATION - A full suite of advanced sensors allow Roomba to navigate under and around furniture, and along edges. Cliff Detect keeps it from falling down stairs.
- SENSES AND ELIMINATES DIRT - Dirt Detect Sensors alert your robot about dirtier areas of your home, like high-traffic spots, and cleans them more thoroughly.
- CLEAN FLOORS EVERYDAY - Provides a system of cleaning features and smart sensors that allow the robot to adjust to your unique home and deliver a daily clean.
- CLEANS CARPETS AND HARD FLOORS - Auto-Adjust Cleaning Head automatically adapts its height to effectively clean carpets and hard floors.
- AUTOMATICALLY RECHARGES - Runs for up to 90 minutes before automatically docking and rechargi
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Pet-Friendly Kitchen Ideas
If you feed your pet in your kitchen, you’re going about more than a stunning backsplash and marble countertops. Kitchens are a busy space—safe, dedicated, and secure spaces for your pet are critical to maintaining harmony throughout breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
- Kitchen Mat set of 2: This kitchen rugs and mats measure 18x29+18x59, kitchen accessories package include kitchen rug sets 2 piece with runner. The thickness of kitchen rug is 0.4 inch (10mm); Please pay attention to the thickness before ordering the kichen mats.If your pet likes to scratch and sharpen claws, it is not recommended to buy this soft rugs.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Space-Saving Feeding Area
Dedicate a feeding area to your dog. If you are tired of tripping over a loose bowl and having to pick up stray kibble, consider incorporating a built-in feeding area. Avoid taking up extra floor space by creating a feeding center under your kitchen island.
If you’re feeling extravagant, consider installing a water line and circulating pump to make water more accessible for your pet. Keep this area clean by lining your feeding station with silicone, easy-to-clean mats.
Hidden Food Storage
For ten-kilo bags of dry food, chances are they will not complement your kitchen color palette. If your area is storage-heavy, dedicate a few spaces to your dog’s kibble and canned food.
Otherwise, you can opt to install standalone closed shelving or a deep drawer by your feeding station. If you prefer open storage, transfer the kibble into mason jars or large containers that don’t disrupt your kitchen aesthetic.
Secure Baby Gates
Sometimes, too many people in the kitchen can become a safety hazard for both you and your dog. In between handling sharp utensils and avoiding potential slips, you might be better off without your dog constantly lingering.
If your pup can’t entirely stay away from the scent of sizzling bacon or boiling chicken, invest in a baby gate. Depending on your dog’s size, you might consider a simple swinging gate or half-door. There are many available designs online that will best suit your kitchen.
Pet-Friendly Bathroom Ideas
The bathroom or mudroom is a natural go to for items such as litter boxes and bathing basins. If you don’t have space for a mudroom, there are many ways to incorporate pet-safe features that complement your bathroom design.
Dedicated Bathing Station
Are you tired of hoisting your dog into the tub or having to use a separate basin for washing? If your bathroom is getting a complete remodel, consider an open-concept design or a more expansive walk-in shower.
Install an additional showerhead or whose lower to the ground to accommodate muddy paws. If your dog is a significant shedder, install a larger drain to prevent clogs.
Line your bathroom floor with hyper-absorbent, non-slip mats. Avoid using fabric mats, as they become prone to catching shed.
Closed Litter Box Area
If your dog is trained to use a litter box, what better place to keep it in than the bathroom? While this human-and-pet set-up may be convenient, litter boxes are often unsightly, even when covered.
Think about dedicating a nook in your lower cabinet to store your litter box. Place the bin on top of a litter-catching mat to keep sand from scattering. You can also designate a space next to your pup’s built-in toilet for storing litter, scoopers, deodorizers, and other cleaning items.
Pet-Friendly Bedroom Ideas
Most pet parents have no trouble allowing their four-legged companions to wander into the bedroom. However, having to deal with shedding all of your duvets can become a nuisance. By dedicating spaces for your dog to play and sleep, having them in the bedroom should be as easy as counting sheep.
Charming Built-In Bed
If you can afford additional floor space, a luxury dog bed or fashionable crate can help keep your dog off the sheets. However, these accessories can become bulky and difficult to move. Instead, you can incorporate a hollowed nook into your cabinet or even install a fixture on your bed.
Simple Toy Bins
If you spend a lot of time at home, chances are your dog is also a fan of spending time with you—or at least within your vicinity. Still, nothing is more of a bummer than finding toys scattered throughout your home.
Keep your dog’s favorite items in one place by dedicating a space for toys. Don’t worry about high-tech storage options. Instead, you can opt for an open wooden crate to allow your dog to take chews, bones, and stuffed animals as they please.
Pet-Friendly Living Area Ideas
There is nothing like kicking back with your family in the living room after a long week at work—Fido included. However, some open living room designs can become hazardous—especially if you’re a fan of delicate items such as vases and fragile accent pieces. Pet-proofing your living area is essential to enjoying laid-back afternoons with your pet.
Scratch-Resistant Flooring
When remodeling your living area to accommodate a dog or two, you’ll want to select a flooring material that is scratch-resistant and cleanable. If you are a fan of hardwood floors, shelve that idea—little claws can cause a lot of damage.
Instead, opt for materials like vinyl. Durable, low-cost, and easily customizable vinyl flooring can go a long way. If you live in a cooler area, you can also install radiant heating under your vinyl floor—perfect for keeping paws warm.
Other flooring materials you’ll want to consider are laminate, which are impressively scratch-proof, and strand-woven bamboo, which is highly resilient.
Adorable Custom Nook
Do you have space under your staircase? If so, why not transform this area into a living nook for your dog?
Adorn their space under the stairs with a bed, a bowl, a few toys, and ambient lighting. Alternatively, you can hollow this space to accommodate a medium-sized crate.
If you don’t have a second floor, you can instead install an elevated window seat where your dog can enjoy people-watching or await your daily return from running errands. Run with cordless shades or blinds, as drapes can spell a disaster—especially when leaving your pet unattended!
Clever Pet Doors
Without their owners, some dogs get antsier than others. Being cooped up can make this especially difficult for your pet.
If your home is sufficiently pet-proofed, installing pet doors from your living area to your bedroom or garden can give them room to wander and expel energy.
If you allow your pet to wander outdoors throughout the day, having a pet door installed into your main entryway can provide easy return access. Opt for an automatic pet door that recognizes microchips to avoid unwanted entry by smaller, invasive animals.
Clever Pet Door
- DURABLE PLASTIC FRAME: Best for single pet homes or for moderate use
- PAINTABLE WHITE FRAME: Customize the frame to match your door color and decor
- SNAP ON CLOSING PANEL: Keeps your pet from using the pet door, to close off opening when not in use and to help keep out weather and drafts
- SOFT, VINYL FLAP: Flexible flap allows for your pets comfort and ease of use
- FLEXIBLE, EASY INSTALLATION: For thin exterior or interior people doors 1/16 inch to thicker doors up to 2 inch; includes detailed instructions, cutting template and installation hardware
- AVAILABLE IN 4 SIZES: Small for pets up to 15 pound, Medium for pets up to 40 pound, Large for pets up to 100 pound and Extra Large for pets up to 220 pound
- PRODUCT SUPPORT: PetSafe brands US based Customer Care experts will be glad to help; call Monday through Saturday
- EXPERIENCE: PetSafe brand has been an industry leading US manufacturer of pet behavior, containment and lifestyle products since 1991, helping millions of people and pets each y
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Pet-Friendly Garden Ideas
If you have a backyard, chances are it’s your dog’s favorite place to be. However, naughty dogs can cause significant trouble in gardens that aren’t appropriately pet-proofed. If you’re including landscaping fixes in your remodel, consider the following tips.
Easy-Access Ramp Decks
If you have an older dog, having to walk up and down the patio steps can prove stressful to their muscle fascia and weakening limbs. Installing a ramp can reduce joint pain and prevent injuries in younger dogs. While ramps aren’t necessary, they might be suitable for short breeds such as Dachshunds and Basset Hound.
Stunning Closed Patio
If you don’t have a fenced yard, an enclosed patio is both stunning and an excellent way for your dog to get some sun. If you already have a porch, you can install framing instead.
The most popular porch enclosure material is glass. If you’re considering glass and live in a hotter area, use double-glazed windows to protect your pet and yourself from UV rays. If you have a rowdy pet, installing uPVC glass can work to your advantage.
uPVC is a sturdy material that requires little to no maintenance and makes for excellent ventilation and insulation. No matter the weather, uPVC glass makes it possible to sit out on your porch without overheating or getting too cold.
Fun Play Area
While some pet owners don’t mind their dogs running loose, an unmonitored backyard can spell trouble—for your dog and your garden trimmings.
When landscaping, be mindful about what you’re planting. Some flowers are toxic and can cause allergies, indigestion, or severe health problems for your dog. If you’re an avid gardener, opt for plants such as camellias, Fuschia, dill, purple basil, or sunflowers.
Also, keep in mind that while digging is instinctual for your dog, you don’t have to let it ruin your garden. If your dog is a fan of digging, provide them with a sandbox—it’ll keep them away from the flowerbeds!
Dog Play Pen
- The IRIS 24 exercise 4-panel dog playpen with door can be used for dog play yards, play gate, small dog fence, and more
- The IRIS playpen is portable and provides 8 square feet of play space for pets
- Dog playpen with door is made of durable molded plastic
- IRIS dog exercise pen with door is made in the USA, and add-on panels are available to create large pet playpen
- Playpen with door is perfect for puppies, extra small to medium sized dogs and other family pets
- Dimensions: 35.13 L x 35.13 W x 23.75 H inc
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The Bottom Line
Before you add irresistible dog accessories to your Amazon or Chewy cart, consider the best way of pet-proofing every square foot of space. The better your home can accommodate your pet, the easier it’ll be to maintain your home.
For incorporating more intricate features, such as built-in fixtures, don’t forget to do a lot of research. You can easily enhance your pet’s comfort without compromising style!
