Best New Home Features for Pets

Lots of people love their pets so much! They've been a part of life and have witnessed what's around. So much that a new trend in the home-building process is to consider your furry friend in your decisions.  Maybe people are having comfortable and easy-to-clean living surroundings for their four-legged buddies built into their homes! But if you have a dog or cat and are thinking about building a home (or even adding on to your current home), then read on for a few fun ideas: This will help you identify what they need and how it gives them the exact comfort that they want.  You may find some fun and inspiring plans that make you and your pets’ lives more fun and functional!

The Pet Suite

Put it simply, pet suites are full-service hotels for your cat or dog. They’re luxury accommodations for your pet while you’re out of town. But it doesn't have costly and out your place. ALL YOU NEED IS TIME, EFFORT, AND A LITTLE BIT OF A BUDGET! Yes, you've read it right. DIY pet suite is a trend nowadays, if you just moved recently, staying at home, or still searching for a home, then you can surely give them their little private space.   Remodeling is also the perfect time to make your home more pet-friendly. Ensure you have a kitchen that looks great and makes it easy to accommodate your pets. You can also add some custom designs that would make them feel at home and cozy.

Home Features for Pets

DOG WINDOWS or DOORS

Built-in pet doors aren’t an entirely new concept but they’ve come a long way in recent years. Instead of your basic pet door with unsightly plastic flaps, homeowners have a lot more options and can be integrated into your home’s design
Pamper your fur baby with views of the outside world. Some pet owners include windows in the bottom half of their doors, so their dogs can see outside. Windows are important for dogs, especially if your dog is inside a lot. It is highly suggested that you let your dog look out the window if they desire to. It can help decrease any anxiety, boredom, or negative emotion they may be having, whether that is because they are inside a lot, or it is because of other reasons. There are different height options available to match the needs of your furry friend. Some homeowners even install two windows: one for taller dogs, and one for the shorter ones. It’s a fun way to give your dog a glimpse into the outside world and help eliminate boredom.

OUTDOOR DOG AREAS

Wading pools, dog runs, K9 grass (artificial grass designed especially for dogs that’s easier to clean!), outdoor showers, and more: customize an outdoor area for what your doggy pal likes the most! Fresh air is vital to all living things, especially dogs. It is essential to give your dog fresh air, even in chilly temperatures. For all bodies, fresh air purifies the blood, soothes the nerves, stimulates appetites, rids the body of impurities. Some owners even equip fully automated doors that are activated by electronic collars, so when your dog wants to come inside or head outdoors, he can let himself in or out whether you’re home or not! It makes having to worry about rushing home to let the dog outside a thing of the past.

Durable Flooring

Households with pets can be chaotic and your home’s flooring can take a lot of abuse. If you are concerned about pet urine, then it is worth considering waterproof flooring. The best options for this are tile and stone flooring or waterproof luxury vinyl plank flooring. These floors should not be permanently damaged or stained by pet urine, and they should also not retain nasty odors. 
As to vinyl. Vinyl flooring is a popular flooring option for families with pets. Luxury vinyl tile and vinyl sheets are highly durable, long-lasting, and resistant to moisture, scratches, and dents. They are also easy to maintain. 

No matter which option you select, make sure to look at the specifications of the product and choose the most durable option.

Pet Beds

​Built-in pet beds keep your home free of clutter while still ensuring your pet has a quiet space to relax. Dogs, like people, need good quality sleep to stay healthy. ... Like people, dogs also need a good night's rest to stay healthy. This is especially important for older dogs and larger breeds who need a bit more sleep than their younger, smaller counterparts. More and more homeowners agree that their pets can benefit from their own space within the home. For that reason, a new home feature many homeowners are adding to their existing cabinetry is a built-in pet bed. There are plenty of benefits to having dog beds. They can be used for napping during the day and sleeping in at night. Unlike the floor, a bed will keep your dog warm, support arthritic joints, and prevent calluses. And unlike a couch or human bed, dog beds are spaces that pups can have all to themselves.

Built-In Pet Gate

Sometimes, there are just places you don’t want your pet to access. As a pet owner, you do everything you can to keep your animal companions safe and healthy. For a lot of homeowners, that’s the kitchen while meals are being prepared. In those cases, a built-in pet gate comes in handy. sing a dog gate for stairs also prevents your dog from being harmed. You need to personally place these gates where they're exactly needed to make sure everything will fall into place and prevent accidents.  A pet gate should have a good mix of functionality and convenience. It needs to be sturdy and keep your pet contained, yet not be disruptive to them and everyone.  

While a traditional baby gate is an effective solution, incorporating a built-in pet gate is a much better option because you can customize it to your home’s design. Consider adding a swinging gate or a half-door so you can keep the desired area pet-free without completely closing it off from the rest of the home. It's also important to consider the sturdiness of the material. Many puppies are least likely to chew on metal, which is why stylish wood may be considered as a choice but make sure to choose a material that would last long. The spacing of vertical bars in any gate is also important. For instance, a baby should not be able to get its head through the bars of a baby gate. 

Vacuum Cleaning System

​While there’s no doubt we love our furry friends, living with pets often means dealing with pet hair all over the house. One new home feature dedicated to combating all that hair is a central vacuum cleaning system A vacuum cleaner can do so much more than clean floors. Since you have a machine that uses suction to capture messes, here are eight surprising. A vacuum cleaner's job is to gather all the pet hair sticking to rugs and furniture. However, not all carpet cleaners can remove pet hairs from your carpet. That's why choosing a reliable pet hair vacuum is important.

Food and Water Features
(Pet Bowls)

Everybody has to eat and your pets are no exception – but your pet-friendly custom home can make this part of your day just a little bit easier. Here are a few convenient features to include your pet’s eating and drinking habits into your new home’s design.
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Dogs should always have their own food bowl. These bowls make it easier for your pet to reach its food without having to strain, which can place unwanted pressure on your dog's throat while eating. But make sure to check the different dog bowls and to consider your dog's food.  Raised dog feeders & dog bowls improve the ease of swallowing. To summarize, the best dog food bowls are made from stainless steel, not plastic or ceramic. But not all stainless steel bowls are created equal.​

Pet Food Storage: 
 You can also add pet food storage to your new home’s kitchen cabinets or in the pantry. Not only will it keep pet food bags from clashing with your home decor, but you know the food will be safe from your cat or dog because it’s kept in a secure space.

A dedicated space makes it less likely that you’ll trip over the bowls and prevents food from spilling everywhere. You can even take it to the next level and install a faucet near the pet food station to make it easier to refill water bowls.​

Pet Bathing Area

​If you’ve ever tried washing your dog in the tub, then you know what a disaster the whole process can be. Cleanliness is so important to the overall health and happiness of dogs. But regularly grooming your animal allows you to catch any underlying diseases or conditions early, meaning that they will be able to be treated quicker. Many homeowners have started incorporating a pet-sized walk-in style shower in their mudroom or garage to make bathing their dog easier.  For dogs with specific skin conditions, bathing may be part of their medical treatment plan as recommended by their vet. The benefits of bathing can include cleaning the skin and coat which helps to remove loose hair, scale, and debris and improve the hair coat's shine. The pet wash station is the best way to get pets clean, and the vacuum sucks the excess water from the dog's hair to make drying much faster than towel-drying. 

Adding pet-friendly elements to your new home design makes it a smarter choice and a practical decision. Whether you decide to make a DIY PROJECT or have an expert to install or do it, make sure that your fur babies would be comfortable with it. 

Your love fur babies aren't the ones who need a comfortable place but so you. 
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