Home upgrades to help dogs live longer, healthier, lives

If you’re a pet owner, you don’t need to be told how important your furry friends are. Chances are, you already consider them a part of the family. As such, pets require love, attention, care, and comfort just as much as anyone else.

But, if you’re in the process of buying a home or building a new one, it’s easy to get caught up in the details and forget about your pet’s needs.

You may not need to make major changes to an existing home to keep your pet happy, but there are a few home upgrades to help dogs that can make a difference in their overall quality of life. Creating a pet-friendly home is easier than you might think. It’s a fantastic way to do something good for your constant companion, and they’ll love the comfort some simple home upgrades to help dogs can provide.

So, whether you’re building or buying, it may be worthwhile to dig into some renovations for your four-legged friend.

Home upgrades to help dogs

Your pet’s safety should always be a top priority when you make any upgrades or changes to your home. Before making any changes, make sure the house itself is safe and secure. You might already notice things that could be dangerous for you or your family, but it’s also important to consider how these potential dangers could affect your pet as well.

For example, it’s important to pay attention to any strange sounds in your house that you might hear, including:

• Bubbling in the pipes
• Electrical humming or buzzing
• Hissing noises (if your home uses gas)
• Running water
• Banging or knocking pipes
• Scratching in the walls

Any of these sounds could be either minor inconveniences or major dangers. Hissing from gas is a huge threat, and you and your family (including your pet) should leave immediately. If you hear scratching in the walls, it could be a sign of mice or other rodents in the walls. Humming or buzzing could cause electrical issues or even start a fire. Obviously, all of these are concerns and could put your pet in harm’s way. So, it’s important to take care of any home repairs before you start upgrading other areas.

Little things in your home could also present a danger to your furry friends. For example, if you allow your pet to jump up on your furniture, you might want to consider anchoring furniture like tall dressers, lockers, or even high chairs or couches to the wall, so they don’t fall over onto your pet. Look around your space and think about potential risks while keeping your pet’s point of view in mind. By making things as safe as possible, you can have fun focusing on what upgrades you can make for your four-legged family member.

Construction with your furry friend in mind

Whether you’re building a new home or renovating an existing one, certain upgrades can turn your living space into a “puptastic” paradise or a kitty kingdom.

Think about your pet’s needs above anything else when you’re considering upgrades. One of the most important things all animals need is activity. Keeping your pet physically active and mentally stimulated will make them happier and healthier overall. With that in mind, some ideas for construction upgrades could include:

• Pet stairs
• A “play” room
• A pet-friendly bathing center/shower
• A designer doghouse or indoor crate
• Ramps

For cats, you might want to consider creating some feline-friendly furniture that allows them to scratch, stretch, and climb without ruining your existing furniture. It will keep them active and entertained throughout the day while keeping them safe indoors.

Things like built-in food and water stations that go into your cabinetry or cubby holes for pet beds are also great upgrade options that can make your companion feel comfortable after a long day of playing.

Don’t forget the yard!

If you’re a dog owner, you already know how much your pooch loves being outside. Most dogs would spend hours outdoors if possible. So, don’t forget to focus on your yard when you’re going through home upgrades. You can turn your backyard into your dog’s play haven by adding things like pathways to walk on and shady areas to rest. Simultaneously, it would help if you also got rid of any dangerous plants or other natural items that could harm them.

Additionally, you can go the extra mile by creating an obstacle course for your dog outside, including things like rubber tires, wood planks, pallets, and rope. Doing so will provide built-in exercise for your canine companion every day, making it perfect for those days you can’t go on a long walk or hit the park.

Making home upgrades to help dogs don’t have to be overly complicated. Think about things from your pet’s perspective. You know them and their needs better than anyone. Consider what’s best for their health and safety, as well as their happiness, as you tackle your next home improvement endeavor.

Dan Matthews is a writer with a degree in English from Boise State University. He has extensive experience with nose boops and chin scritches. You can find him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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