According to Forbes, 66 percent of Americans own a pet, with dogs occupying 65 million homes and cats living in 47 million.

“We love our pets, and it’s become important to homeowners to incorporate pet-friendly elements into their home design,” said David Kallie, MCR, CKBR, CAPS, president and CEO of Dimension Inc. “At Dimension, we want to provide those features, whether subtle or loud and proud, without scarifying style.”

Keep your four-legged friends in mind during your next renovation using the following elements.

Built-In Feeding Stations (Dog & Cat Friendly)

“Our dogs and cats eat in the kitchen, like the rest of the family,” said David. “Kitchens are the busiest rooms in our homes, and it’s often easy to trip or knock over food and water bowls.”

Incorporate a feeding center under the island or under cabinetry to save floor space. If you have bigger animals, you could create an alcove off the kitchen, space permitting. Add shelves or drawers around the station to keep extra food and other supplies. If you want to go all out, you could even add a water line to consistently refill water bowls.

Built-In Beds (Dog & Cat Friendly)

When we first take home and train our pets, we often use crates. Crates are not the most fashionable items, and they take up space, especially if you use several around the home.

“A built-in dedicated place for your cats and dogs to sleep can be incorporated into shelves, cabinets, or other items,” David said. “This allows them to remain part of the action of the house while having a safe — and attractive — haven to snooze.”

Durable Flooring (Dog & Cat Friendly)

“Paws are rough on hardwood floors,” said David. “When you pick flooring for your renovation, keep in mind our pets like to paw at the ground, and scratch marks are less than flattering.”

Pet lovers can get a clean hardwood look from engineered wood, bamboo, luxury vinyl flooring, and tile, which are resistant to scratching and durable enough to handle your pets.

Mudrooms (Dog Friendly)

“In homes with dogs, mudrooms are a must and also a win-win for both humans and their furry friends,” David said. “It keeps both parties organized.”

Built by the most-used entrance, this room will help keep the rest of the home clean by designating an area to wipe off dirty paws and prepare for walks. Hooks can hold leashes, coats, and towels, while shelving can hold treats, toys, and waste bags.

Washing Stations (Dog Friendly)

Let’s face it—bath time can be hard enough without the hassle of having to hoist your dog into a bath or laundry tub. Your dog can have a washing station to avoid the inconvenience.

For homes with bigger dogs, these look like a shower stall but half of the height with a floor-level entry. Smaller dogs don’t require too much space; a sunken tiled tub at counter height will do. These spaces often include a spray nozzle and a ledge or shelf to hold shampoo, combs, and other accessories.

“While this feature may seem big, you won’t have to sacrifice any of your space for this area,” said David. “These stations can be built into the garage, where it’s okay to get a little messy.”

While these pet-friendly spaces are being built, we also want to protect our animals during renovation by keeping them away from harmful substances. Dimension Design-Build-Remodel is committed to using toxin-free construction materials and low to no VOC finishes in all remodels and new builds to keep all members of your family healthy.

Dimension applies the most innovative and cutting-edge designs in todays new construction and home remodeling market. To discuss your project and pet-friendly features, contact Dimension Design-Build-Remodel at 262-402-6602 or email davidkallie@dimension-dbr.com