According to recent research, 67% of households in the US own at least one pet. This is approximately 85 million families who would do anything to make their furry friends happy and healthy. Regular walks in the park, cleaning out the litter box, buying special clothes, or putting their needs before ours. This is just a plain day in a pet owner's life. Since pets have become such an essential part of our lives, it's no wonder many people are deciding to make pet-friendly home upgrades that will make our furry friends happier and our lives easier. Therefore, if you're looking to make some changes around the house, keep reading for some amazing ideas that both you and your pet will love!
Dogs love to run around the park and play in muddy puddles. This is just something they do. So, if you have a furry friend just like this one, you'll have to consider installing a mudroom in your house. Traditionally, mudrooms are connected to the back entrance. This makes perfect sense since you don't want your dog going straight into the house with muddy paws.
However, if your back entrance is already too crowded or you live in an apartment, you'll have to work something out in the entryway. Fortunately, mudrooms don't take up a lot of space, and you can install them anywhere you want. All you need is a small bench, hooks for extra gear like leashes, wet towels or coats, and storage space as a solution for your belongings. Keep your pet's things in line by installing a drawer underneath the bench.
Besides the mudroom, a pet washing station could be helpful in every house with a pet. This is one of the pet-friendly home upgrades that will completely change both your and your pet's life. After all, we all know how challenging it is to hoist our pets in our bathtubs or showers. So, why not make our pets their personal washing station!
The majority of shower stations are half the height of a standard bathtub. People with smaller dogs usually choose a smaller station with recessed tiled tub.
The most popular area of the house for a washing station is the laundry room. However, many people with mudrooms in the back entrance prefer to install them there. Makes sense, right? Of course, you can always build one in your bathroom as well.
One of the pet-friendly home upgrades you should definitely consider is a mess-free feeding area. This sounds paradoxical, but it's possible! Feeding areas are usually in one of the corners of the kitchen. Since the kitchen's the busiest room in every house, it's normal to bump into one of the pet dishes or knock them over from time to time.
If you want to keep your house clean and feeding time organized, a built-in feeding station is a terrific home improvement solution for you. Consider installing it under the cabinetry if you're determined to create this hideaway feeding station in the kitchen.
Another great solution is converting one of your lower drawers in the kitchen into a feeding station for your pet. This is an excellent solution for those who love to keep everything neat and organized at all times. Additionally, teaching your dog to open and close this drawer is a big plus for everybody!
Having a cat is a true blessing. However, dealing with ugly litterboxes is something every cat owner despises. That's why we suggest bedazzling your kitty's litterbox. Fortunately, it's 2021, and there are plenty of ways to turn this part of a cat's life into something fun and beautiful. One of the things you can do is turn this into a fun family DIY project. If you have children, include them in the decorating process. They will love that they are a part of this!
If you don't have that much time for DIY projects or you don't consider yourself creative enough, you can always go to a pet store and choose the cutest litterbox for your furry friend. You will be amazed by the various choices.
Built-in beds
While pet crates come in many shapes and colors, there is one solution that's more creative and fun - built-in pet beds. Believe it or not, you can incorporate one of these special pet places in cabinets, shelves, or any other part of your house. So, how do you make a built-in bed for your pet?
And there you have it - a personalized little paradise that your pet will enjoy for many years!
Built-in beds could be a life-saver when you decide to move houses with your dog. Every dog needs a space in the home that's only theirs. So, if you gave them that in your old house, this should be one of the first things to set up in your new place as well. Since it's hard to prepare your dog for moving, this will help you avoid stressing out your dog more than it's necessary.
If your cat isn't active enough and spends most of its time inside, it can become aggressive and destructive. While dogs are extremely attached to their owners and like to participate in most activities, cats are more independent. Therefore, it's only logical to give them the playing space they can enjoy. Catios are an absolute favorite among cat owners for both inside and outside activities. A Catio is a safe space for your cat with a bunch of toys and places to climb. An ultimate cat gateway, if you like. This is something that will calm your cute little kitten and give them a reason not to wander around the neighborhood.
When it comes to older pets, you'll have to be more creative with pet-friendly home upgrades as they need special attention. For example, senior pets have a hard time climbing the stairs. If you have a smaller pet, you can bring them upstairs in your arms. However, if you have a bigger dog, you'll have to think of something else. We suggest building a pet ramp. The ramp will help them come up and down the stairs with ease, saving everyone's time and energy.
Furthermore, installing heated floors will go a long way. You can install them in your bathroom for a surprisingly low price and let your pet enjoy their time lying on the floor. Of course, you can choose a different room. You may even pick your pet's favorite one.
Living with a pet brings so much joy to our lives. That's why they deserve to live in a house they enjoy as well. With these 7 pet-friendly home upgrades, you'll create a paradise for both you and your favorite furry friends. So, grab a hammer and let the DIY games begin!