Having a pet doesn’t mean your house has to go to the dogs!

When remodeling your home one of the questions you need to ask yourself is “Who are ALL of the occupants of the space?”  Rather than focusing on “dog or cat” themes for your pet’s necessities, let’s look at pet friendly upholstery, scratch and toe-nail snagging resistant flooring and other materials and products that focus on comfort and owner “peace of mind”.  If you choose the right surfaces, you won’t have to de-claw the cat or find a new home for the dog.  (The Humane Society lists this as one of the main reasons for pet surrender).

Pet-proofing Your House:
If painting is part of the remodeling plan, look for paints that are NO or LOW VOC.  All major paint manufacturers have now come out with low or no VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints.  VOCs are the chemicals that are put into paint for faster drying and inhibiting mold and bacteria growth.  Paint can off-gas VOCs for up to 18 months after application.  Off-gassing is the “new paint” smell that is evident after we paint.  It’s these toxins that can affect breathing by increasing the instance of upper respiratory infections, allergies and certain types of cancers. Use a washable semi-gloss in areas where pets, especially dogs, will spend most of their time.  This paint is essential if you have a loose-jowled dog, such as a coonhound that is more likely to shake spittle onto the walls.  Avoid textured wall coverings, especially if you have a cat.  These coverings, like grass cloth and nubby fabrics, are invitations for cats to scratch.  Remember that wallpaper will off-gas if made of vinyl!  However, if wallpaper is a must, use antique wallpapers or fabric wall treatments on the top half of the wall (above chair rail) and paint or use wainscoting below.

For flooring, think hard surfaces.  Hard surfaces are healthier and easier to maintain because carpeting traps pet hair, stains and odors.  In summer, hard surfaces are cooler for pets with thicker coats and can resist claw marks.  Think tile, bamboo, hardwood, laminates or rubber flooring as carpeting options.  (Seal hardwood floors with polyurethane to prevent urine odor retention).  If you must have wall-to-wall carpeting, (carpeting can off-gas for up to 5 years after installation depending on adhesives used and the material the carpeting and the backing are made of) keep these tips in mind: make sure the area is well-ventilated when replacing carpet, look for carpet that is made from recycled plastic (it’s durable, soft and relatively inexpensive), and stay away from large-looped Berbers because pet nails get caught which can cause them injury and can snag the carpet.  In picking a flooring color, choose a color that matches your pet- if you have a Golden, choose beige- or choose patterned flooring that will hide hair, disguise stains and look cleaner longer.   Area rugs can be used as accents, which are easy to clean and can be replaced easily and less expensively than wall-to-wall carpeting.  Make sure area rugs are anchored with rug grips or a piece of heavy furniture to prevent pets (and people) from slipping.

When looking for pet-friendly fabrics, look for tightly woven fabrics that can resist tears and rips.  Pick out fabrics that have a smooth finish.  Leathers, ultra suede and micro fibers are all extremely durable, odor resistant and easy to clean.  And since leather is smooth, it won’t be tantalizing to cats that would love to claw at any tufted fabric, dangling curtain tie-back or fringe.  Leathers and micro fibers are also easily maintained-just wipe pet hair off with an electrostatic duster or damp sponge.  Leather is also very forgiving with scratches that can occur from pet nails-just be careful of actual punctures.  Patterns and textures will act in the same manner as patterned flooring.  Keep extra fabric to make matching beds, mats for food and water dishes and floor pillows. Extra carpet makes a great scratching post that coordinates with the décor!

If buying new furniture isn’t an option-slipcover it!  Slipcovers come in a variety of colors and styles and are easy to clean as you can just wash when dirty.  Tamara Scott-Anderson, ASID of Contents Interiors of Tucson, has used slipcovers constructed of indoor/outdoor fabrics.  “They are fade and mildew resistant and come in many stylish patterns and colors…They are perfect for families with pets!” she states.  Check out Mitchell Gold’s pet-friendly furniture designs and slipcovers inspired by their mascot LuLu.  The Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams fabrics can be made into slipcovers adding a fresh new look to existing furniture or the “quintessential” solution to reflect the change of season or mood.

Regarding windows, stay away from vertical blinds, pooling drapery, or anything with ornate tassels and long cords.  These can lead to strangulation and are an invitation for play (i.e. shredding and unraveling if you have a cat).   Sheers and shades don’t collect dust and pet hair like long, heavy drapes- which is very important in helping control allergies.  Fabric shades, café curtains and dramatic valances are great choices for pet-friendly (and toddler!) homes. Mini-blinds are a no-no and should be kept out of reach of pets (as well as kids!) to prevent chewing and/or strangulation.  They can get bent beyond repair when they block a curious dog’s view of the outside world.

Multi-functional furniture is essential when designing for your pet.  An attractive leash holder by the door can hold leashes as well as a towel to dry off muddy paws.  Storage bins can hold toys, extra blankets, bed covers and sweaters.   Electrical wires need to be kept out of reach and plastic safety plugs should be placed on outlets to prevent the adventurous from getting electrocuted.  When choosing live plants, stay away from ivies, philodendrons and dieffenbachia, as they can be harmful if ingested.  Pantries or a Baker’s rack in the mudroom or back hallway can serve as a pet center-everything is in one place and easily accessible). Kennels or beds should be kept in a draft-free area out of the way of main traffic flow in the house.  A pet needs to have some peace and quiet too!

There are times and situations where you must confine your pet while you are away.  Crates and kennels can also offer your pet it’s “own place” and are portable when traveling with your pet.  However, the traditional wire mesh or plastic dog crates look out of place in most design schemes.  Post Modern Pets offers some unique crates (and other products) for the chic, sophisticated pet owner.  Their Haus Dog Crate offers your dog a safe and comfortable enclosure and doubles as an attractive side table!  Post Modern Pets also states that this crate can be used for cats, rabbits and other small pets, as well, to incorporate them into the social structure of their human family.  The Haus Crate comes in 2 sizes (studio and loft) and in 2 color schemes (orange/charcoal and green/mocha).  If you don’t want to part with the $300+ for the Haus Crate, you can be “creative” in disguising your current wire or plastic crate.  A piece of plywood placed over the top of a wire mesh crate and then covered with coordinating fabric can hide the crate, create a “cave” for the pet and also offer another horizontal surface in smaller spaces and can even double as a table.  Crates are also available in hardwood and rattan.  Prices start at $129.99 in Doctors Foster & Smith catalog.  Don’t forget your crate accessories!  Now you can get orthopedic foam pads for extra comfort, which also help to trap and eliminate odors.

As much as we love the “fur kids”, there are just some rooms we don’t want to share with them.  From the basic plastic gate that can swing open and closed ($37.99) to gates that can be configured up to 13’ ($74.99 with 14” extension panels for $26.99) you have a variety of choices and materials to pick from.  In choosing the right gate, you need to keep in mind the height of your pet and their athletic ability.  I have 2 mini-dachshunds that are only 10” high, yet can jump over 2x their height!  Also, if a dog wants to get into a room and the gate is not secured, it will go tumbling down (Ossie was a pro at knocking down gates at only 12 weeks old-he was a very determined little puppy!)  Know your dog and buy the appropriate gate.   Most gates are pressure mounted and have doors that can be opened and closed, so you don’t have keep taking the gate up and down and take the risk of damaging the wall or door jamb.

For Pet’s Only:
Pet cubbies, are niches that are built under cabinets to give pets their own “den” to sleep in or just to get away from the activity of the house.  Litter boxes can also be disguised in this way.  They can be incorporated under vanities and cabinets to better service a cat’s needs and give them the privacy they want and need. Dogs, although very social, sometimes need a space to call their own-a kennel, a niche or a quiet corner with their bed and toys-will give your dog the space it needs when they need to “chill out”.  (My dog Ossie will leave the room and go under the bed, where his favorite blanket is, and nap until he feels ready to rejoin the family).  Cubbies can be incorporated under window seats as well.  When outfitted with a micro fiber cushion, your puppy can still “watch over” their space and still relax out of the way.

Give your pet its own bed.  Pet beds are available in patterns and fabrics that will coordinate with almost any décor, so you can put one in each room if you desire.  Be sure to choose one with a cover that zips off for easy washing.  Another idea is to designate one piece of furniture as the dog or cat’s.  Cover it with a washable throw and teach your pet that it’s the only piece of furniture they’re allowed to sit, lay or sleep on.  If you want your pet’s bed to match the rest of the furnishing, an oversized floor pillow covered in fabric that matches the throw pillows on your sofa is always an option.  Check out the Doctor’s Foster & Smith catalog for wonderful options in size, shape and fabric/color choices.  It’s just like picking out bedding for you and your family!  Muddy paws?  Drool?  Try Crypton’s new line of fabrics.  Crypton offers dog beds in 3 styles: donut, circle or rectangular and in 3 sizes to customize.  Their beds are resistant to stains and odor, and are easy to clean and machine washable.  Check out their website to build your own dog bed at www.cryptonfabric.com.   Pet beds are available in a variety of styles-just like their human companion beds are.  Wicker, 4-poster, daybeds, simple snuggle balls…the list of styles, shapes and materials is many.  Simmons mattress company also makes an orthopedic mattress for those who really want to pamper their pets.

For bird owners, remember that birds can be messy, especially if they are allowed outside of their cage/aviary.  Make sure that there is sufficient clearance for cage to any tables and/or other furniture so food and water don’t get splashed or thrown on.  In choosing cages, which are abundant and a design item in and of themselves, make sure they are epoxy-coated and not the ornamental, antique kind.  Bird residents can get their heads stuck in the bars or ingest harmful paint (lead based?) from old wires.  Make sure that the bird can spread its wings fully in the cage, and that there are numerous perches of a variety of sizes so their feet get exercise and don’t cramp up.  In the wild, all branches are not the same width, neither should their perches.

How about the most ornamental and easily incorporated pet residence in any home’s design-the fish aquarium.  It’s a controlled ecosystem, but also artwork that changes constantly.  The calming quality of watching fish swim to and fro has been studied by the Delta Society, and can be verified by anyone who has a tank, whether it’s a small fish bowl with 1 Beta to a 250-gallon saltwater tank filled with tropical fish.

For a cat owner, each home should have a variety of perches-for the cat to lounge on and be able to survey their surroundings.  Think of a wild cat and how they like to perch high in trees.  This is what we must assimilate in their space.  This is not to say that you must place catwalks and perches throughout your home (although this has been done-watch Pet Palaces on HGTV for the Cat House), but some uncluttered space above a hutch or entertainment cabinet could make your cat’s day!  Another unique idea is placing shelves at a variety of heights (almost like a zigzag formation) to create an obstacle course for your cat.  This is accomplished by using wall sconces in the shape of semi-circles held up by T-bracket.  The sconces should be 18”x12” and big enough for lounging on or provide the ability to hop up and down on.

It’s vital to remember that a cat thinks of the house and the items within as his/her own.  Therefore, any breakables need to be placed in rooms that the cat doesn’t have access to-if the cat can reach it, they will walk on it and often times break it.  Low shelves or dressers shouldn’t contain any fragile objects.  These items should be moved to the middle or back of shelf they are displayed on.   Keeping the resident cat’s curiosity in mind, scratching posts should be interactive and offer a variety of perches, hiding places and breakaway toys.  Use catnip spray to attract even the finickiest of felines.  For a new and modern look to the scratching post, check out Post Modern Pets.  They have a unique take on posts from the Kittypod (a saucer shaped dish for lounging in) to the Crouchette (a U-shaped bench for sitting).  Their website is www.postmodernpets.com.  They also have a dog, bird and fish sections!

Who doesn’t like to nap in a warm sunny place?  Your pet is no different.  Doctors Foster & Smith offer 2 window perches for cats and small dogs.  The Catnapper ($26.99) is a combination window perch/sleeping hammock.  It attaches with self-fastening strips or screws and can hold up to 35lbs.  The Window Perch ($19.99) offers a comfortable, carpeted view of the neighborhood and needs no screws for double-hung windows and is sturdy enough to hold up to 35lbs. (more if installed with all the screws and brackets).

Dog doors have come a long way since the little tarp flaps that were stapled up in a small cutout hole in the door.  Numerous styles of pet doors are now available for dogs and cats.  With even the basic unit you can get a door made of aluminum construction with 2 flaps that will form a tight magnetic seal after the pet enters or exits.  There are doors that have a 4-way directional locking system: open (pet can go in or out), locked, in only or out only.  These 4-way doors can also be accessed with infrared remotes keys.  These keys fit on your pet’s collars and can open the pet door if you have it set to be locked.   Want even more security?  How about pet doors with dead bolts?  This door makes sure rambunctious pets can’t get out if you don’t want them to or strays can’t get in.  Premium pet doors are available with thermoplastic to keep out the weather and feature a see-through flap that closes and seals magnetically.  Prices start at $19.99.  If you have a patio screen door that leads to the back…not problem, there’s a pet door for that as well. PetSafe Patio Panels let you add side-by-side pet access to your existing door.  Easy to install, this tempered glass panel can adjust to a frame height of 77 ½” to 82”.  Your patio door can be locked with this panel in place for security.

Ramps should be considered for navigating stairs and furniture (if allowed).  Ramps help reduce back and joint injuries and are beneficial for small dogs, elderly pets and the disabled and/or injured pet.  They are relatively easy to install and the cost will be made up in less frequent vet visits/rehab.  If a ramp doesn’t fit into your design scheme, stairs (either carpeted of made of vinyl) can be purchased in segments to make an easy transition for small or handicapped pets to climb on.

Care & Clean Up:
If a total remodel isn’t in your budget, make use of your current space.  Lisa Bowman, Allied ASID, NKBA of Nob Hill Design in Franktown, CO transformed the electrical room of her client’s house (furnace, septic tank and hot water heater room) into an all-purpose room for the family’s cats.  The litter box and food were placed here to keep them out of view and any odor under control due to the fresh air return for the furnace.  Along these same lines, Scott Sevon, CGR, GMB, CAPS of SevvonCo in Chicago, IL, has transformed laundry rooms into cat rooms.  Pet cubbies were installed in cabinets for beds and feeding stations.  Scott also states, that if you are converting this area for a pet room, remember “to install a larger ventilation fan to keep odors to a minimum.”

Dog showers are also easily installed and an easy addition to the laundry room due to close proximity of plumbing and, because they are usually close to the mudroom or back entrance.  Dog showers are becoming a mainstay in new home construction.  Pet showers eliminate the hassle of taking dogs to be groomed, say homeowners.  For those of us who live in places where spring should really be called “the Season of Mud”, a dog shower located by the “mud” room or back entrance only makes sense.  (In multi-pet households, these are actually a necessity.  As you are wiping down one, the other one has already made it through the house and is up on the sofa!).  Showers also decrease stress for the pet, as they can minimize going to the groomer.  In addition, showers reduce injury, as pets frequently try to jump out of a laundry tub or sink if off the ground.  Prices for pet showers range from a low of $14 for a hand held sprayer (attached to an 8’ foot hose that connects to your shower faucet) from Dog.com and can go as high as a $4000 pet showers (featuring 9’ high ceilings) from London Bay Homes in Naples, FL.  Materials used in this laundry room turned pet spa: travertine-tiled walls and a tumbled stone floor.   Dog not a diva?  Not to fear, many older homes can easily add a pet shower that can also be used for muddy children, gardeners and handymen in the laundry room, in a garage or off the back entrance to the house.  Easy access to plumbing is key.  Ceramic tile, up to 42” high, for the surround will make clean up easy, and will also keep water from “the post-shower shake-off” contained.

Food storage must also be considered when designing and space-planning for a pet.  The key is to keep food dry and fresh.  Doctors Foster& Smith offers 3 very functional food containers.  One is a wall mount called a Pour N Stor that can hold up to 40 lbs. of food.  The second is a Stack N Stor that comes in 2 different sizes.  Both feature a hinged door that can be padlocked-a necessity if kept outside.  A brand new product called the Buddeez Food Dispenser features a Special Bag Gripper that keeps food fresh in the original bag.  The Buddeez Food Dispenser can also hold birdseed or cat litter!  Some new innovations in pet feeding are 2 and 5 portion automatic feeders.  These are feeders that are on timers if you are out of town for the night, traveling with your pet or just want to put your pet on a defined eating schedule.  There are pet fountains that are available that were designed by veterinarians to keep your pet hydrated inside or outside.  Filters are also included to filter out impurities to keep your pet healthy.

Design-driven Pet Products:
Even today’s pet products are being fashioned with good design in mind.  Pet specific products are showing up at Wal-Mart and Target, besides the higher end pet boutiques.  There is something for everyone in every price range…what a great time to be a dog.  Don’t settle for ugly old plastic for food and water.  There are ceramic dog and cat bowls and trendy stainless steel options available, which are just as washable, yet can coordinate with your décor.  (Make sure the top of any bowl is narrower than the bottom if your dog’s ears are long and hairy-Cocker Spaniel-and that bowl doesn’t tip easily). For the larger dog, wrought iron and/or wood stands that elevate food and water dishes to help prevent neck and back stress/injuries are a must.   Stands can have hand-painted or tiled tops and matching bowls.  Instead of an old plastic placemat, choose a specially designed fabric mat that coordinates with your table linens.  Again, Doctors Foster & Smith has a wonderful assortment of accessories for whatever the shape and size of your pet and the scheme of your home. Also included in space planning: toy storage (a nice wicker basket or small children’s toy chest works great), food storage (closed, air-tight lids to keep out pests).

While we’ve been focusing on the inside of the home, the yard also needs to be mentioned as some pets spend some to all of their time outside.  The outdoors is just as important for them to enjoy and for you to upkeep.  It should be noted that if your pet is allowed outdoors, they should micro-chipped or have their collars with tags that have updated name, address and phone information. Attaching outdoor cat enclosures to the house with a cat door to allow free access for the cat to sit in the sun and get fresh air will do much for an indoor cat’s well-being.  For dogs, fenced in yards should have a buried, inward-facing section to prevent them from digging and tunneling out.  I’ve also used landscape edging under fences where the land isn’t even to prevent little dogs from getting out and other critters from getting in.  Use high quality screens (metal) on windows to prevent cats from ripping them up.  Install folding (hinged) cat perches under windows.  Good lighting is also important.  When letting your pet out at night, being able to see if another animal has entered the space (i.e. coyote, raccoon…) or just to keep an eye on your pet is important for your pet’s safety.

Co-existing with pets in a clean, nicely decorated and damage-free environment can certainly be achieved.  All it takes is a little work, innovation and compromise.  Through a meandering space plan, easily maintained fabrics and finishes, storage and healthy choices in paint and flooring are all things to be considered when designing any space, but more importantly a home with pets.  However, the easier and healthier a design makes your pet’s life, the easier and healthier the design is for your life as well.   Lenore Baigelmann, AIA of Full Circle Architects and co-author of “Feng Shui for Building & Remodeling”, feels that “pets are part of the family, and need to be treated as such.”  You take the lifestyle of the teenage son into consideration when designing their room, as well as the husband’s home office when remodeling for efficiency, so why wouldn’t you keep the arthritic Golden Retriever’s needs in mind when planning the back entrance or the Harlequin macaw’s cage when space-planning the family room?  Along these same lines, designer Michelle Pollack, ASID, of LaPetite Maison, takes the dog’s personality into account when designing custom dog spaces and houses.  “Every pet has individual personality traits, like people, and these need to be factored into any design”, she states.  The health of the pet (i.e. handicaps, allergies…), personality and size of pet are all factors she takes into consideration before starting any design-pet and people alike!

Author of "Designing the Life of Your Dreams from the Outside In" and "Feng Shui for Teens"