5 Essential Pet-Friendly Home Features Every Owner Must Have

Your pawed pals are more than mere pets. As a pet parent, you need to do everything to make sure your new home is as comfortable as possible for your baby. Adding a pet couch and a pet door can’t be enough. So, where do you start?

Well, when you are looking at new homes Kelowna, make sure that they have all the pet-friendly features you’re looking for. Otherwise, you can design them from scratch while building your new home. 

Here’s how you can make your home more pet-friendly:

1. Pet-Cam

Every pet owner hates one thing about their daily routine. Closing the door on your pawed pal as he stares at you with droopy eyes. When you return home after so many hours, both you and your furry friend breathe a sigh of relief and joy. However, that large window leaves both you and your pet very anxious. That’s where pet cams come in. 

Pet cams aren’t like regular security cameras. Instead, think of them as interactive tools that allow two-way audio and video. When you move into a new housing development in Kelowna, add one in the living room, pet room, or any other space where your pet plans to spend most of its time. These cams allow you to monitor your dog or cat, and speak to them, and advanced models even allow you to pass treats.

2. Create a pet washing zone

Pet bathing zones have become very popular among pet owners. They usually look like a compact walk-in shower with several hand-operated showerheads. These shower stations should also be raised by a couple of feet to bring your pet to eye level and bathe them properly. According to new home builders in Kelowna, it’s a coveted feature that’s in high demand among pet owners. 

Your pet washing zone should also be splashproof enough to keep the soap, excess fur, and water inside the bathing zone. Make sure that the pet station has both cold and water supply. Use both supply heads and test out the temperature before washing your pet. The drainage here should also be equipped to catch all the fur that could clog your plumbing. 

3. Add a pet door and a fenced yard

Pet doors aren’t anything new. However, this classic pet-friendly feature has managed to stick for a long time and for good reason. It allows your pet easy access beyond the physical boundaries of your home. While pet doors come off as a necessary feature, custom home builders in Kelowna, BC recommend adding a fenced yard to make it safer. 

It’s important to note that the fence is meant to keep your pet inside. Hence a generic fence may not be enough. It should be taller than the maximum height your pet can jump over. Moreover, the fence should be constructed in a way that discourages your pet from climbing over. If you don’t want a physical fence, consider adding a GPS collar to ensure the safety of your pal. 

4. Scratch-resistant and leakproof flooring

Chaotic households usually have pets or kids. They are curious and have unlimited energy to explore their surroundings. In the process, they may end up leaving scratches on your expensive flooring. Choose the flooring wisely to minimise claw marks. 

Apart from scratches, you also need to think about water resistance. When building a custom home, hardwood flooring is usually the epitome of luxury. However, you will end up refinishing it several times when it gets scratched by your cat and soaks in the odour of your dog’s pee. Instead, choose vinyl planks that look and feel like real wood and don’t have any of its weaknesses.  

5. Dedicated and built-in food and water station

Custom home builders in Vancouver recommend adding built-in food and water stations for your pets. When you have a custom space that automatically dispenses the right amount of food and water and has a self-cleaning mechanism, it minimises mess. No more random dishes spread around your home. Just make sure that these built-in spaces have bowls with a tilt or have enough room for your pets to use their tongue to pick up food efficiently.  

When you build a custom home that’s pet-friendly, have a detailed discussion with your builders and finalize a design. It may have the above-mentioned features and something more to make your pets feel a bit more comfy.