It's time to make some long-awaited changes to your home, but wait...is there anything you can do to make your home more of a home for your pet? Absolutely! The number of renovations centered around pets only continues to rise, and an American poll conducted back in 2017 found that 33% of first time home buyers in the 18-36 age range were driven to purchase directly because of their pet(s). This topped marriage (25%) and birth of a child (19%). So, if you're selling, you know your pet reno will be beneficial to the next owners!

Taking into account the health, age, needs and patterns of your pet, your plans will go a long way in making your home a safer, healthier and more accessible place for your furry bros! Let's kick off this list:

An image of a puppy and kitty together, laying under a blanket. 



1) Ramp it Up

For aging pets, the addition of a ramp near your bed is most welcome. They can be installed elsewhere too, typically placed where they commonly jump (like near the couch or even alongside stairs). Of course, depending on the space you have in your home, ramps may not be a sensible option. If that's the case, you can still make things easier on their joints by strategically stacking storage boxes or other household items beside each other in increasing heights. This makes it functional for both you and your pet!

An image of a dog using a ramp to gain access to the owner's bed.


2) Leave the Mud in the Mudroom

If you have an active pet that enjoys the outdoors, you're all too familiar with the mess that comes with outdoor fun. Many homes have a mudroom or front entry area made to withstand the weather that we bring inside...consider upgrading yours to include a convenient wash station! A dog shower/tub is built as a step-in shower with a half-wall surrounding it, allowing humans to spray and wash their pet from above. This is great for housing your large dogs while they get cleaned. For smaller pups and domestic cats, a wide sink is the way to go. During wet and/or cold months, your optimized mudroom will be a better situation than rinsing them outside (or hauling them to the bathroom). 

An image of a mudroom with a doggy shower.


3) Relax on the Catio

Nope, it's not a typo...it's a real thing! Catios are cat patios, designed to give your kitties exposure to sunlight, and the opportunity for exercise that they deserve. They are gated or fenced, usually placed on the side or to the rear of a home. A hole is made through your exterior wall, so your cat can access it at their leisure. With it being closed off, you have peace of mind knowing your cat won't run away, get stolen, or have outdoor pests make their way inside. There should also be a "you" sized door from the outside, in case you need to get in there in the event of an emergency. Ramps, balconies, scratching posts, toys and beds are all things utilized in catios. It's also a good idea to never leave food in the catio - pests will be attracted by the smell. If you want to leave an area inside for eating, only leave an amount that your cat can consume in one sitting. 

An image of a cat enjoying the ramps inside a cat patio.


4) Install the Classic

This is the most common addition you think of when making your home more accessible for you pets - a doggy door! A flapped door leading from your mudroom to your backyard gives your dog or cat independence when it comes to using the bathroom or frolicking around outside. Lockable flaps are available, a better option for times when your pet shouldn't venture outdoors, or to prevent unwanted entry by pests and burglars while you're away on vacation. 

An image of a golden retriever puppy leaving the house through the use of a doogy door / doggy flap.


5) Bring the Heat

This one sounds pricey, but keep in mind that this floor renovation is for you too, and can help with home heating in general. First, a heated floor or a section of heated flooring provides a soothing and comforting environment for pets of all ages, but mostly for senior pets. Arthritic limbs and stiff joints benefit from the relaxing warmth. This heated hug can make the day to day difference in your pet's mobility. For you, a heated floor is easy on your foot's joints as well as being a welcome feeling to an otherwise chilly shock. Finally, since heat rises, you'll have a bit of extra warmth rising into your home. This makes turning the thermostat down a couple of degrees easier, potentially lowering your home heating costs.

A cross-section image of a heated floor.


These are just a few pet friendly renovations you can place in your home! Getting the help of a professional can ensure that you don’t run into costly or unnecessary obstacles, such as improper installation, which may interfere with other aspects of your home.

Posted by Admin Staff on

Tags

Email Send a link to post via Email

Leave A Comment

e.g. yourwebsitename.com
Please note that your email address is kept private upon posting.