Designing a Pet-Friendly Kitchen For Dogs and Cats
All About The Pet-Friendly Kitchen Remodel
Whether you're a dog person or a cat person, one thing is certain, we love our four-legged family members! If you have a treasured pet, it's important to make your home as safe as possible for them. If you're planning on remodeling your kitchen, you might want to consider some of the various ways to create the perfect pet-friendly kitchen.
There are plenty of fun and funky kitchen solutions you can incorporate into your design to help your furry family members feel safe at home, without sacrificing the functionality and aesthetic beauty of your new kitchen. It's important to think about your pets when remodeling the kitchen. Some of the elements we take for granted can be absolutely dangerous to our furry friends.
Here are some fabulous tips and ideas for designing the perfect pet-friendly kitchen, covering everything from flooring and storage, to appliances and design that both you and your fur babies will love!
“Creature” Comforts!
If your dog is anything like ours, they want to be around the family no matter what you're doing or where you are. In the kitchen, this can be dangerous, for example, if you're carrying a hot pot and there's a sleeping dog lying around! If you're having your kitchen remodeled, why not incorporate a dedicated space for a built-in bed into your design. It's the perfect way for your pet to be a part of the action, while they're in their own out of the way safe space. An integrated dog bed is the perfect space saver that also allows your pup to be a part of the action without getting in the way!
Want to have dinner as a family? Dog bowls laying around the kitchen are not only unsightly and unsanitary, but they can also be a tripping hazard. Bulk bags of dog food or cans of cat food can take up valuable space in the pantry that could be used for "people food." Why not include a dedicated feeding station to have all of your pet paraphernalia - food, toys, leashes, and treats – in one central location?
Our design team will help ensure you have the proper type and amount of storage to suit your needs.
Consider Your Flooring Choices
Your kitchen project will most likely including new flooring. Take your pet into consideration when making your choice. Not only the type of material (to avoid scratches and damage) but also the color. Especially if your dog or cat tends to shed. White hair on dark tile means a lot of cleaning! So as you can see, finding the best flooring for dogs and cats is important.
Hardwood is not a great choice, however, there are ways you can get the look of hardwood without the drawbacks. Here are some great pet-friendly flooring choices.
Tile or Stone
Tile or stone are generally the best choices for your pets. They're water-resistant, stain-resistant, easy to clean, and you don't have to worry about them scratching or damaging your floors. While they're convenient and pet friendly, they aren't the most comfortable for your pets. Stone and tile can be hard and cold so you may want to have a soft rug or door bed for your pup.
Your design team can help you select the best tile type, color, and shape for your space. They can even help you find a way to get a hardwood look in a pet-friendly application!
Cork Flooring
Cork is an excellent choice for pet owners. It resembles hardwood, and it's antimicrobial. That means if your pet has an accident, it's less likely to lead to the growth of bacteria, mold, or allergens. Another benefit is that cork absorbs sound. If you love your pet, but the sounds of his or her claws clicking on the floor are slowly driving you crazy, cork is an excellent option! Cork is also scratch-resistant. However, that doesn't mean it won't' scratch so keep your pet's nails trimmed.
Bamboo
Like cork, bamboo is a great option if you're looking for a natural wood look. It's extremely durable, scratch and stain resistant so you can let your pets run free. Just make sure to choose the right bamboo. Look for one with a high rating for hardness as determined by the Janka Test. Strand woven bamboo holds up the best.
Bamboo flooring is easy to maintain and food and water spills won't damage them if cleaned up properly. Plus as a bonus, bamboo is very sustainable, so you're not only doing something great for your pet, you're also doing something good for the environment. Overall, bamboo is a great choice at an excellent price point.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Luxury vinyl flooring comes in both tiles (LVT) and vinyl planks (LVP). It can mimic the look of natural stone tile or hardwood, but it's easier on both your pets... and your budget! Luxury vinyl is very durable. It holds up well against accidents, food, and water spills. In fact, most LVP and LVT are water-resistant and some are waterproof. It's easy to maintain, and soft under little pet paws.
Pet Safe Appliances
While you might spend a lot of time hanging out n the kitchen with your family and friends, having coffee, or doing homework, the core activity for every kitchen is cooking. If your cat loves jumping up on the counter to see what you're up to. If that sounds like your cat, you may want to consider an induction cooktop. They're not only more energy efficiency, but they also heat pans using magnets so they only heat the pot or pan, never the cooktop. This will keep your pet's delicate paw pads safe!
Let Toulmin Kitchen & Bath Create Your Pet-Friendly Kitchen
If you're considering a kitchen remodeling, why not include features just for your furry family members! These ideas will help you create a pet-friendly kitchen that will give you the functionality you need, without sacrificing your sense of style!
If you live in the West Central Alabama area, and you're planning a kitchen remodeling project, why not give the design experts at Toulmin Kitchen & Bath a call at (205) 366-0807. Let us design the perfect kitchen to make everyone in your family on two legs, or four, safe and happy!
